Blue or Pink? - Gender Reveal

Saturday Snapshot / My Sunday Photo

* Aberystwyth

Just Another Linky #40


Welcome!
Hello! I hope you all had a lovely week. Thank you so much for linking up and I want to say a huge welcome to all the newbies too. It's so lovely reading so many different topics each week and it is really nice seeing so many people from different countries linking up to this link also.
Tomorrow (Sunday) I will be finding out the gender of Baby Itch#3 and I can not wait!
 
Here is to week #40!
 
The Rules...
• #justanotherlinky is open Saturday morning until 11.55pm Monday night.
• If you are linking up please make sure to take the time to read and comment 2 other blogs.
• If you have the chance, if you could comment on both host's posts that would be great.
• Feel free to tweet using the #justanotherlinky (We will both re-tweet)• Post no more than 2 posts.
• Old or new posts.
• Link up no more than two posts per week
No linkies allowed.
• Sponsored posts, review posts and giveaways allowed.
• By linking up you are giving me and Kirsty permission to take a photo if you are being featured the following week.
YOUR HOSTS

HOST - Beth | Life-As-Mum | @lifeasmumblog

CO-HOST - Kirsty | Somethingcrunchymummy | @crunchy_mummy
 FEATURED POST



My Featured post this week is written by Twinderelmo talking about 37 things her toddler daughter had a tantrum about!

------------
 - GRAB THE BADGE -


PLEASE BE SURE TO ONLY LINK UP ONE OR TWO POSTS , NO MORE PLEASE!

Finding Out Baby's Gender

14 Weeks Pregnancy Update


I haven't really enjoyed this week if I am honest. I have been feeling pretty ill for most of the week, especially last weekend and the start of the week. I struggled to do many things. But on the other hand I am fine. I have noticed my itch with Obstetric Cholestasis is getting a bit more stronger, especially in the evenings which is pretty annoying. I am not looking forward to when I fully comes out. But we will see how it goes up to now.

Nothing has changed this week really. I am feeling my stomach/bump changing and growing. I've had a few pains, which I guess is stretching pains and they aren't nice, but I can cope. This Sunday (31st January) I will hopefully find out if Baby is a boy or girl. I am so excited to buy my first blue or pink outfit.

I have started to look online for prams and I must say my taste is really fussy compared to what it was a few years ago! Prams have changed so much I hadn't realised. Most have an odd looking shape to them, don't you think?! But anyway, I have got my eye on a few prams but I am wanting to try them out in a shop first before deciding and I do have a long way to go yet so I wont be rushing.

Any Symptoms? Nausea and no energy.

Weight Gain/Loss? Last week I lost 1.5lbs but I haven't been all that good this week food wise. I have just been wanting to eat everything and anything. Doesn't help that I don't have much energy either.

Obstetric Cholestasis? More often and stronger but I can still cope, up to now

Clothing? They still fit me so far. But uncomfortable when I am bloated.

Have you felt baby move? A few times.

Any Cravings? Not really. Hot chocolate the same as last week.

My Pregnancy Weight Loss Journey #2


You may have read my post from last week saying I lost 1.5lbs at my local Slimming World group. I was a little disappointed because scales at home said differently. However, Wednesday evening after group I felt motivated. Even stuck to plan after group but the following day I struggled because we didn't really have any food in the house where I could have a full meal on plan. So I really struggled.

Tips To Run Your Own Linky


I do advise Bloggers, especially new bloggers to link up to linky's as they are great for finding new blogs to read and gaining traffic. However, many people also think about running their own linky. To run your own linky is hard work. It takes time, a lot of time. But there are also many things to think about before starting your own linky and that includes research too.

Welcoming Baby Into Our Family


We are near the end of January and I still can't believe that by the end of July me, my partner and my girls will be welcoming a new baby into our family. I thought my days of pushing a pram, changing nappies, cleaning up sick, sleepless nights and feeds were over for quite a good few years. We kept Elliw's pram away nearly a year ago now and I remember I felt so weird but also felt a little free without having to push a pram. But a year down the line I will be pushing a newborn baby around. I am getting overly excited now.

Blue Monday

On the 18th January, it was Blue Monday. Apparently the saddest day of the year. I was contacted by the lovely people of Wynsors World of Shoes to see if I would like to receive a VIP box filled with goodies for Blue Monday and beat the blues! I was really excited to see what goodies I received in the surprise VIP box, along with the shoes I had chosen. In the VIP box I received - A pair of trainers, Small tub of dark chocolate, Barry M nail polish, small notebook, Wooden frame and Re-useable bag.

 
So how are these goodies supposed to help you stop feeling Blue on Monday?

The First Trimester


I am finally in the second trimester of my pregnancy. I am so glad I am out of the first trimester. It felt like I was in the first trimester for so long! I have a pregnancy app on my phone and it is so nice seeing Baby look like a proper baby now instead of a little alien (hehe!). Every Monday (and sometimes in the week) I open up the app to take a look at roughly what Baby looks like and it just gets me so excited.

Gro-Clock Review


I must admit, I have been very lucky since day one with Mia. She has always been a good sleeper, even in the hospital she was the only quiet baby on the ward and slept through most of the night. She had her first full night sleep at 3 months old. She co-slept with me as I was single at the time so I had the room in my bed. We co-slept until roughly 7-8 months when I decided it was about time she started sleeping in her cot. She would wake up between 1 and 3am every night but eventually she stopped at the age of 2 and has slept all night since.

Elliw on the other hand was different. It took her 7 months until she had a full night sleep. She still wakes up now and then. Elliw is an early bird but sometimes it is a bit too early. We have got into a good routine of getting them both to bed by 7pm every night but the mornings can be a struggle when Elliw wakes up extra early, sometimes before the sun even comes up.

The Gro Company got in touch with me a couple of months back asking if I would like to review a GroClock. I instantly said yes as I thought it would be perfect to try and help stop the very early morning and also learn Elliw more about the time. We have used this clock a few times, not all the time yet because I am wanting to move them both into the same bedroom and that is when we will be using it on a daily basis.

How Facebook Has Helped My Blog


When I first started my blog I was always a little unsure to take my blog into the social media world. But eventually I made a Facebook and Instagram page and about a year later I made a Twitter account. I was more nervous on making a Facebook page as I wasn't quite sure how I could get any traffic through it. I was nervous sharing my post with the public, where all local people, family and friends could read it but now it really doesn't bother me.

If I am honest, I don't have that many likes on Facebook, 1502 likes to be exact. I managed to get most of the likes by hosting some giveaways on my blog, but now the entry option to 'like' a page on Facebook is gone and I haven't been getting much likes through it. But it doesn't really bother me that much anymore because I have been more into Instagram and Twitter recently.

Recently I have discovered other ways that I've gained traffic to my blog and that is down to Facebook. I have been joining in with threads on a few groups and sharing blog posts on other non-thread groups. If you are looking to boost up your traffic and would like more comments on your blog (and more traffic with other social media too) I would recommend you to check these groups out:

Thread Groups:

Comment Share Support - This group is run by me! I started the group just before Christmas but decided to stop when I wasn't myself during early stages of pregnancy. I have recently re-started the group again and I am doing daily threads. At the moment there aren't many members but I hope to gain a lot more members within the next few weeks or months. Join up if you can! I would really appreciate it.

Love 2 Blog - This group is run by the lovely Kerry who blogs over at OhSoAmelia. This is the first ever thread group that I had participated in. Kerry does one thread a day. Each day a thread is different, from sharing a post, Retweeting a tweet and more. You can also ask for some advice through this group too.

Promote Your Blog - This is a group I found recently. There are different social media threads every day in this group. I have found it a great group for traffic to all my social media accounts.

Bloggers Helping Eachother - This is the other group that I have found recently and have really enjoyed participating in. This group also does a few threads each day just like that group above.

* Top Tip: If you do think about participating in these groups, make sure that you have time to do so. When you participate in a thread, you must comment on all other blog posts, re-tweet all other tweets etc that are in the post. Most threads allow 10-15 and more participants. It can take up a lot of your time, but is worth it.

Non-Thread Groups:

Just Another Linky - This is a pretty new group that I have made for my popular linky, that Kirsty co-hosts with me. I haven't started it properly yet and thinking of ideas on how to run it different to all other blog groups. Come and join!

PBloggers - This group was one of the first groups i had joined. It's great for sharing your posts and it is pretty good for getting some traffic too. Many members are in the group and post daily.

A few other non-thread blog groups are: Mummy Bloggers Linkup, North West Bloggers (Sharing Posts Only), Share Your Blog Posts


If you are interested in following me via any Social Media the links are on the side bar on the right.

Baby Wishlist

Since Elliw was born a lot of things have changed. A lot of baby things are a lot more modern and look a lot more fresh now. Seeing as Baby will be my last ever baby/child I am wanting to buy what I want but of course if I can't then I won't cry over it! I have been brought up to budget and I am not a snob for second hand items. I have already bought a baby bath which is just like new, second hand from somebody local for only £5. Knowing Baby won't be in a baby bath for long I didn't see the point spending so much on it.

I have been looking at clothes mainly in shops but it's hard to buy things at the moment because we don't know if baby is boy or girl yet. I have planned to go on a couple of shopping trips after I find out what gender the Baby is, and I can not wait, super excited. I have also been thinking of the main things such as moses basket, cot, wardrobes, prams and much more. Here are a few things that are on my wishlist for Baby -


Silvercross Pram - I am still a little unsure on a pram at the moment and I think I will have to go and try out a few prams in store first before making my mind up but I do love the idea of just 4 same size set wheels and 2 handles. This is the pram that caught my eye at the moment but I know my mind will probably change soon.

Breastfeeding Set - I am going to breastfeed this time round. I really regret not breastfeeding my second daughter, so hopefully Baby will latch on and I can breastfeed. I am wanting to naturally breastfeed for roughly 6 months as I can't see me carrying on after that when I think about it now, but I may change as the time goes! I am wanting to express a few months down the line as I know I am going to be shattered, so I would like my partner to help out by feeding Baby too.

SnuzPod - I am in love with this Snuzpod. The white is just gorgeous and I would really like a modernised moses basket for the bedroom. I will be buying another moses basket for downstairs so I don't have to carry baskets or cribs up and down every day and I found it much easier when I had two baskets, with Mia and Elliw.

Wardrobe - Baby will have his/her own room when he/she grows older. Mia will be put in the same room as Elliw. At the moment we don't have anywhere to Baby's clothes so they are just in a bag until we buy a new wardrobe. I am wanting a white and grey theme for the bedroom, so it just looks natural and fresh. I can't wait to show you all once it is done.

Memory Box - I would really like to try my best and fill this memory box. I need to try and finish my girls' memory boxes too and I thought I could get the same memory box for all.

Saturday Snapshot // My Sunday Photo



Day Out in Aberystwyth


When I was younger, a good few years before I had Mia, my Dad used to be with someone down South Wales. We used to go down South quite often and always either on our way there or on our way back we would stop in Aberystwyth for a small break for food and most of the time get out of the car and go for a walk. At my age, I hated the walking part but looking back I have to admit the place was lovely and I wish I had appreciated it a bit more. I now haven't been there for over 7 years.

Saturday morning my partner told me we were going to Aberystwyth as he had seen a car for sale and wanted to have a look. I couldn't wait, so I got myself and Elliw dressed. Mia had gone to her Dads for the weekend. We got in the car within 40 minutes and off we went. When we arrived at the car garage, we took a test drive of the car and lets just say, we wont be calling back again after the mould and stink inside the car.

Just Another Linky #39


W E L C O M E
Welcome back to week #39. Thanks to everyone linked up last week and I noticed some newbies too so a huge welcome and a huge thank you to you all too! Hope you all have a fab week.

The Rules...
• #justanotherlinky is open Saturday morning until 11.55pm Monday night.
• If you are linking up please make sure to take the time to read and comment 2 other blogs.
• If you have the chance, if you could comment on both host's posts that would be great.
• Feel free to tweet using the #justanotherlinky (We will both re-tweet)• Post no more than 2 posts.
• Old or new posts.
• Link up no more than two posts per week
No linkies allowed.
• Sponsored posts, review posts and giveaways allowed.
• By linking up you are giving me and Kirsty permission to take a photo if you are being featured the following week.
YOUR HOSTS

HOST - Beth | Life-As-Mum | @lifeasmumblog

CO-HOST - Kirsty | Somethingcrunchymummy | @crunchy_mummy
 FEATURED POST


My Featured post this week is written by Rhyming With Wine talking about her time at the Harry Potter Studios

------------
 - GRAB THE BADGE -

13 Weeks Pregnancy Update


I have to admit, the past week has flown by! I do sit down sometimes and think that this pregnancy is going really slow. But then I think how far I am and how far gone I was when I found out and it has actually gone pretty quick. I can thank the morning school runs for that I think, school hours just fly by. This week has been a little different to my last week. Not a huge difference though. By the way, I did breathe my stomach in my photos, so you could all see Bump better! Couldn't breathe in anymore ha ha.

Last week I decided to go back to my local Slimming World group and restart my weight loss journey whilst pregnant. I thought I could try and lower my BMI and make this pregnancy a healthy one. Not eating junk all the time like I did with my other two. I have been put high risk pregnancy and I wrote a post on how I felt being high risk. I do feel disappointed in myself. I knew I am a high risk pregnancy near the end due to Obstetric Cholestasis, a liver disorder I get whilst pregnant but luckily the full burst of it hasn't started yet and only get the itch now and then which I can cope with for now.

Slimming World Week #1


As you may know, I started going back my local Slimming World group last week to re-start my weight loss journey. I am determined that I will loose weight during this pregnancy. I do not want to gain weight like I did with my two previous pregnancies. I am also under consultant because of my weight and being pregnant so I would like to take my BMI down quite a bit during my pregnancy. Cross fingers!

My first week hasn't been too bad - in fact it has been brilliant. I felt so motivated. I stopped snacking on the kids food, I stopped eating white bread and I stuck to plan 100%. Although I went over my syns a little bit over the weekend, I had under 15 syns on the Thursday and Friday so it kind of balanced it out I guess. My home scales were looking good and I think that was one part of the reason to why I was so motivated. I also didn't have a takeaway, which I usually have one with my partner every week. So I am happy with that. I have been really pleased with the meals I have cooked from scratch this week. Here is what I have had for my dinner this week:

Boy or Girl?


When I announced the exciting news that I am expecting my third baby many people asked me if I wanted a boy or girl, but most people said that a boy would be nice this time. I don't mind people asking me these but it can get annoying when it's the same question off everyone. In all honesty, I would love a boy this time round. I have two amazing and beautiful girls and seeing as Baby is going to be my last, I would love a boy. I have always wanted a baby boy. I am not quite sure why or what the reason to why I have always wanted a baby boy.

Don't get me wrong though, I would love the Baby just as much if Baby is a girl. As they say, as long as baby is healthy that is all that matters and that is true. When I go shopping I always seem to go for the boys clothes and for some small reason when I had my second scan at 13 weeks pregnant I had a feeling I that Baby was a boy. There were not hints or clues, just my thoughts. When I was pregnant with Mia, I just knew Mia was a girl but I was convinced that Elliw was a boy. I think I was convinced Elliw was a boy because my pregnancy symptoms were so different to Mia's. Again, this pregnancy has been different to both. I seem to be a lot more tired with this pregnancy.

Although I said above about thinking Baby was a boy in the second scan at 13 weeks, I think now and I don't really know what I think. Is Baby a boy or girl? I have booked a gender scan for 15 weeks supposed to be, but my second scan moved the due date one day later so I will be 14 weeks 6 days pregnant when I hopefully find out the gender of Baby, on 31st January and I can not wait.

Have you had an early gender scan?

How I Feel Being High Risk In My Pregnancy


I went to my second midwife appointment today. I was running late as I wasn't feeling to good as I was going on the school run. When I got back home, I cleaned the kitchen and made my usual porridge and fruit breakfast. I managed to sit down and eat and then my partners mother came in the house so I could head off to see the midwife whilst she looked after Elliw for me. My appointment was at 9.50am and I didn't leave the house until 9.50, I finally arrived at 10am.

My appointment was only for 10 minutes. I got to hear Baby's hearbeat for the first time. Baby was quite low down. I was happy. When I arrived home, I read through my notes and noticed that Midwife has put me down for High Risk for this pregnancy. I was high risk in my other two pregnancies but only because of Obstetric Cholestasis. They have already put me down now for high risk now because of my weight. It may be all the hormones but for some reason I feel so upset about it. Why did I let myself go and put 2 and half stone on last year when I had done so well loosing 3 and a half stone the previous year.

I feel so disappointed in myself.

I am scared.

I was really hoping to be able to go into labour myself without getting induced and hoping to reach my Due Date or even pass. I will probably complain like mad if I do, but I know after I had Baby I will be proud that I have finally experienced that feeling of going into labour on my own.

I have a diabetes test around 28 weeks and I have to have a scan at 32 and 34 weeks to check Baby's size because Mia was born 8lbs 9oz and Elliw was 9lbs 8oz, both before their due dates. I am hoping that because I started my Slimming World Journey (again) last week, that eating healthily this time round will help me and hopefully make Baby smaller. My cravings were all junk food with Mia and Elliw and I had no idea how much weight I was gaining. I am trying my best to do the total opposite this time round.

For some reason, I do feel like some kind of failure that I am somehow putting my Baby at risk, all because I couldn't say 'no' to food and healthy lifestyle last year. Just knowing this is going to be my last pregnancy, it is kind of sad knowing I am still going to suffer with Cholestasis during the last 10 (or more) weeks and dealing with my weight all the way through.

You can call me a hormonal cow, because I know I am! Lots of things are worrying me and getting me all emotional recently!

1000th Published Post


I have been waiting to write this post for a very long time! This is my 1000th Published post! Well if I am honest, the post about my second scan is my 1000th published post but I accidently forgot to click publish on this post first! So I will just 'pretend' this is my original 1000th post.

I honestly can not believe I have written 1000 posts on my blog. I had a look through my archives list (below on the side bar) the other day and read some of my very first blog posts, most of them were just letters to my girls but the others were some kind of 'tips and advice' posts. I write so differently to them posts right now. My writing is brilliant and it never will be perfect but I am shocked on how much I have actually improved.

I do have to thank Kerry from  OhSoAmelia for helping me out so much by answering all my questions and it was her blog that gave me inspiration to start my own. I am so glad I started. It's something I can look back on when the girls are older and something I can just write my thoughts and feelings down without and judgment (most of the time). I have had the amazing opportunity to work for some amazing and popular companies and I am really looking forward to the future of my blog.

The Second Scan - 13 Weeks Pregnant


At our first scan they told me I was 10 weeks 3 days, when I had worked out I was 12 weeks (and some days) pregnant, so they took us back 2 weeks and Due Date moved forward. This did make sense because it took my 16 days to find out I was pregnant with Baby. I was a little gutted I was early on because I was just so excited and it felt really slow, but Baby was all healthy and wriggling around non stop!

The second scan, we had on 18th January at the same time, but different day to the first scan, at 11.20am. My partner came with me and I was really excited to see how much Baby had grown but also still a little worried in case something was wrong. After trying to find a parking space, we finally found one after 20 minutes of looking and we arrived at the scan department around 11.15am. We didn't wait long until we were called in.

Slimming World Green Thai Chicken Curry Recipe


Before I visited Thailand I was never keen in trying out Thai food. I always used to get pretty miserable if my partner tried to get me to try it. All mainly because I thought every single dish was going to be extremely spicy and not to my taste. When I went to visit Thailand, my mind was changed completely. I have been more interested in trying out Thai food and even with a bit of spice too. I won't go for the extremely hot food but one of my favourite Thai foods has to be Green Thai Chicken Curry. When I started my weight loss journey, again, with Slimming World I was really excited in trying out new recipes, recipes I hadn't tried out before. One of the recipes I saw was Green Thai Chicken curry - I just had to make it.

How I Feel About Becoming A Mum Of 3


Since I found out I was pregnant with Baby #3 I haven't really thought about how will I cope when Baby is here and how will it be, up until recently. Mia woke up early hours of the morning the other week and Elliw had woken up too but Elliw had woken up a few times in the night previously too! Safe to say, I was miserable and I was tired. It did come to my mind, how am I going to cope if all 3 kids are awake early hours in the morning? This time round I am going to breastfeed, so that also comes to mind. Luckily, I do have my partner so he can help in some ways too.

A New Look For Life-As-Mum


I have been blogging for just over 2 and a half years now and never have I been 100% happy with my layout. I have always been a little jealous over other bloggers design and could only wish I had those good HTML skills like I used to and make my own layout. Today, I took a big step and decided to buy my very first layout for my blog on Etsy. I wasn't looking for anything 'over the top' and nothing too expensive either.

Re-Starting My Weight Loss Journey


You all may already know that I am pregnant with my third baby. In 2014 I lost 3 and a half stone with Slimming World. The following year I went on my first ever holiday abroad to Thailand and I gained just under half a stone, since then I have just been gaining it slowly and now my gain is 2 and a half stone. I did start going back to my local Slimming World group around September time but I didn't feel comfortable. Nearly everyone who I had been in group with before, had gone. I guess I just felt alone - and not many people to talk to. Also, I started to feel extremely bloated. I left group and little did I know that I was pregnant with Baby.

I have been trying to loose weight from home. Some weeks I have lost, but put on the following week and it is my own fault. My so called 'cheat' days go over the top sometimes and it takes days for me to get back on plan. Going back to group has been something I have been thinking of for quite a long time since just before Christmas. But actually deciding to go back to group last Wednesday was a last minute decision. One of my close friends told me she was going back and somehow it just made me want to go back too. Just a few hours before group started, I decided yes I am going back to Slimming World!

I was nervous. I was thinking is it the right thing to do? Should I just be saving this £5 a week instead of spending it at group? All kinds of things were going on in my head. When I arrived at group, I was so glad I decided to go. There were many others who were joining the same time too and we were all given the introduction talk and a talk about the plan. Later on I was given an extra book because I am pregnant. The only thing different is I can have 2 healthy A's and 2 healthy B's which has been great for me!

I joined Slimming World (again!) at 12 weeks 3 days pregnant. I am now 13 weeks pregnant. I kind of started plan the day before I decided to go back to group and usually when I went to Slimming World group previously I always used to 'cheat' on a Wednesday evening after group but the Wednesday been I was 100% on plan, which I am really proud of!

My target to loose hopefully whilst I am pregnant or just after Baby is born is 1 stone exactly. If I can loose a bit more than that, then I will be extremely happy. After Baby is born then I will have another 5 or so stone to go until my main target - I will get there! It will be a huge achievement for me if I loose weight whilst pregnant this time round as a gained quite a fair bit with my first and second.

I am 4 days in (Sunday) and I am feeling different. I feel good. The home scales are looking good but I won't say just incase I jinx it! I haven't struggled with meals and I haven't really struggled with evenings either. I usually scoff my face in the evenings but I have been really good so far. I don't feel like eating the wrong things, I feel really motivated.

I am hoping to write a weekly weight loss journey post every Thursday to update you all and to hopefully motivate me a bit more. I am looking at baking and cooking a few different Slimming World snacks and meals to what I have done before and I will share them with you (if they go well of course!).

Have you lost weight during pregnancy?

Saturday Snapshot / My Sunday Photo

 
Taken Summer 2014

Just Another Linky #38


W E L C O M E
Welcome to week 38. I just want to say a huge thank you to every single person that links up to #justanotherlinky each week. Never did I think that this linky would be so successful and popular each week - without fail. I also would like the lovely co-host Kirsty too!
Please read the simple rules before linking up. I have noticed people linking up more than two posts.

 
The Rules...
• #justanotherlinky is open Saturday morning until 11.55pm Monday night.
• If you are linking up please make sure to take the time to read and comment 2 other blogs.
• If you have the chance, if you could comment on both host's posts that would be great.
• Feel free to tweet using the #justanotherlinky (We will both re-tweet)• Post no more than 2 posts.
• Old or new posts.
• Link up no more than two posts per week
No linkies allowed.
• Sponsored posts, review posts and giveaways allowed.
• By linking up you are giving me and Kirsty permission to take a photo if you are being featured the following week.
 
YOUR HOSTS
 
HOST - Beth | Life-As-Mum | @lifeasmumblog
 
CO-HOST - Kirsty | Somethingcrunchymummy | @crunchy_mummy
 
 
 FEATURED POST
 
 
My Favourite post from last week was from the lovely Mudpie Fridays blog. Showing you her DIY Baby Memory Frame.
 
 

 
------------
 - GRAB THE BADGE -

12 Weeks Pregnant Update


I have been super excited to write my first ever pregnancy update on my blog! I have written a few posts before this about how I found out I was pregnant, how my girls reacted and much more. But this is post I have been really excited about. I am finally starting my pregnancy journey through my blog and I can not wait to share it with you all. I felt it was only right to start at 12 weeks as felt I was a little to early before. I am due for a second scan which was supposed to be 12 weeks but because they are so busy I have to wait until January 18th, which by then I will be 13 weeks plus 1 day. A post about my scan will be up during next week. Writing this post I am 12 weeks 4 days pregnant (14th January) and I thought I would do my weekly pregnancy updates every Friday. Hope you all enjoy!

Mia is still a little unsure when I talk about Baby but she does ask a lot about Baby so I am sure she will slowly get her head around the idea one day (she has to!). Elliw on the other hand talks about Baby every single day. Every single mean time and most mornings too. She asks the funniest questions, and so does Mia sometimes too. They both seem interested in what Baby can do inside me and a little confused to why we have to wait another 6 months for Baby arrive.

Baby is certainly growing now as I can feel my Bump getting harder and harder each day. In the evenings I feel so bloated and Bump looks huge but I love it! I am bigger (weight wise) this time round so you can't see Bump properly unless I breathe in or lie down. But I can not hide it when I am bloated. I was showing pretty big from 10 weeks in my second pregnancy with Elliw. I can see my Bump getting very big this time round.


How are you feeling? I'm not feeling too bad. I have some days where I feel very tired and struggle to get out of bed but most days I am fine. Another reason I struggle to get out of bed is because I feel quite ill but not for long and nothing like how I was early on. I am feeling more and more excited each day and watching my Bump grow.

Any sign of Obstetric Cholestasis? Yes. Only feels like it's in its very early stages - but it is there. I can totally cope with it now so I am not complaining.

Have you felt Baby move? As mad as this sounds. Yes I have. At first I thought 'no it can't be' but I know what Baby movements feel like and it was definitely that. I haven't really told much people because they probably wouldn't believe me. I felt first movements with Mia at 17 weeks and with Elliw at 13 weeks, so I do think it is possible.

Any Symptoms? Some tiredness and sore breasts but nothing big. My hormones have been a bit all over the place and I have become more emotional but not really bad. Some foods still turn my stomach.

Any Cravings? I wouldn't say yes but I have had a huge interest in Hot Chocolate recently. Luckily it's the Highlights hot chocolate so it's not a fatty one.


Budget Yourself This Valentines


Valentine's Day will be here soon and up to now me and my partner haven't planned anything. We will probably end up having some steak and chips at home, the same as what we did last year. With Valentine's Day being so close to Christmas and the January Sales it can be pretty expensive. But it doesn't have to be. Valentines Day should be a day were a couple appreciate eachother and spend time together. You don't have to go to that fancy restaurant, or buy her the perfect and most expensive flowers or perfume. You can keep in budget and keep it simple but still have a good time with your partner. Here are a few of my tips on how you can have a good Valentines Day and not spend a lot of money -

How My Girls Reacted


It was extremely hard keeping such big news from the girls for so many weeks. Especially because I was so tired and feeling like utter rubbish through the day. Falling asleep on the sofa or on the bed and not being able to explain to them that I just wanted a two minute nap. All close family members knew about the news that we were expecting Baby. They were all happy and super excited but I was more excited telling Mia and Elliw. Because Elliw is at the age she can understand a bit better and Mia was at the age she could properly understand, I wanted to record it. I couldn't wait to tell them and I wanted to capture that moment and their reactions on camera.

When I was getting ready Wednesday, 30th December, morning the girls were both asking where I was going. I just told them I needed to go to hospital to talk to a doctor and that was it. They didn't ask again. I felt really sly not telling them but I needed and wanted to tell them at the right time and place. After my scan I told my partner that I couldn't wait to tell the girls. We both went to pick the girls up from the family members who looked after them whilst we had the scan and we came home.

My partner had to go to work and I started to feel a little unwell and Mia had done an accident so I cleaned her up and did a bit of housework. Then, I told them both to go to the living room and sit down and wait whilst I get some things to show them. Although they had no idea what I was showing them, they were super excited. They both sat quietly with smiles on their faces as I got the camera out. My stomach started turning as I was so nervous and so excited to tell them.



"Mammy has a new baby in her belly" , "You're going to be a big sister Elliw and you're going to be a big sister again Mia!" were some of the things I told them at the start.

At first I am not sure if they believed me. They seemed confused and asked me to show them. So I showed them the scan photo. Mia got hold of the scan first and they both looked at it. Elliw still seemed rather unsure and Mia was laughing and said she doesn't want another baby in the house - ha ha! Although Mia's reaction wasn't what I was expecting it was still nice to capture both of their reactions and expressions as I told them.

Since telling them the big news, they have asked me all sorts of questions such as if Baby pee's inside me (LOL), if Baby moves when I walk, talks when I talk, eat when I eat.. you get what I mean right? All day, most days. But it's nice. I have booked a 3D scan for 15 weeks on the 31st January and I am super excited to see what the girls will think about seeing Baby on the screen.

Baby Clothes with NEXT

Since finding out I was pregnant it hasn't really felt really until I had my first scan. Then after a few days it stopped feeling 'real' up until recently when I felt my Baby bump harder than normal. Although it hadn't felt real, I did start buying some clothes quite early on. I had no idea how far I had gone or if everything was ok when I started buying things - which is wrong I guess but I had hope and I just wanted to see if it made things a bit more real.

Since the scan I am forever looking on websites and in stores at baby clothes. I can not wait to hopefully find out what we are having in our private booked 3D scan at the end of the month. Today, I am sharing a few of my favourite newborn unisex, girls and boys clothes from NEXT online. I have bought a couple already and I will state below which ones I have bought already.

2015 In Photos


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Family Day Out


Yesterday, Sunday 10th January 2016, we went out as a family. We hadn't had a family day out for quite a while and because we had taken Elliw to Seaquarium in Rhyl whilst Mia was at her Dad's I thought it was about time me, my partner, Elliw and Mia went for day out somewhere. So seeing as Mia was in her Dads from Friday night until Saturday evening, we thought Sunday was the perfect day to go somewhere. I woke up pretty early with the girls whilst my partner had a small lie in.

Why I Don't Want My Girls Going To Secondary School

 
Ok - maybe it's not the fact that I don't want them to go to big school, it's the fact that I am so worried and nervous that they are going to have the same experience as me. Secondary school for me wasn't all that great. I had some good times and I had some pretty bad times too. Don't get me wrong though, I did had 4 particular friends who I was best friends with but sadly drifted apart when I went to different college and then had Mia.

When I first started secondary school in 2003 I was extremely nervous. The class I was in from primary school was pretty small. In fact there was roughly only 8 of us in class in total. I had also realised I was put into a separate registration class to all my other old 'classmates' from primary school. During the months we all made new friends and drifted apart. I kept a good friendship with one girl though and she was one of my best friends all through the school years.

I was bullied badly over my weight. Many used the words 'fat' and I do think that is a nasty word to call someone as it really can put someones confidence down, just like I lost a lot of confidence. About 2 years into secondary school I lost all the weight and I was a healthy 9 stone something girl. Many of the girls who called me fat and took the mick out of me were asking me how I lost the weight and in all honesty. I don't know how I did it. I guess the 'puppy fat'? If you call it that, had gone and hormones maybe. I am not sure. But I was happy.

But loosing the weight didn't stop people being bullies. Every break and lunch times I always used to hang around the same 'group'. The 4 girls I was best friends with was part of that 'group' too but unfortuently, the rest of the group couldn't accept me. Some didn't mind me and were fine but there was this one particular girl, who I won't name but will call her C, was a big bully. At the time I didn't think I was being bullied as such but when I look back I think to myself, why did I take it? I did nothing wrong to her, absolutely nothing. She called me names every single day nearly. Not very nice names either. She used to take the p*ss out of me most days. If only she knew how I felt.

Another year, if I remember rightly was around the last year of school. I really didn't enjoy. In fact, it was hell. I cried myself to sleep not wanting to go to school the next day. I lied to my Dad. I pretended school was fine when it wasn't. Having people follow you down the corridor when your by yourself calling you all sorts. Having a slap off one. Having a group of people coming at you in a corner, taking the p*ss out of you when you are by yourself is not good. Those people ruined my last year of school. I hated it. I really did hate it. I even had grief off these people out of school when they saw me in town. I am glad that I haven't seen any of these people since I finished school.

One year, I think it was in Year 9 if I remember. I was sitting on a school bench near the Art and History block with my two friends eating a snack on our break. The breaks were only about 15 or 20 minutes if I remember so there wasn't long. A certain girl came up to us and told us to move as they wanted to sit there. I didn't see why me and my friends should move when we got their first and I told her no. Oh how wrong was I. That was when I was beaten up on the school grounds. People watching and no one to stop. I got kicked in the head, stomach, back and punched. I had my hair dragged out and when she finally stopped I just got up and off I went to reception that wasn't far away and I told them what happened. My hair kept falling out. I remember I struggled speaking to the deputy head. Nothing happened to this girl. NOTHING HAPPENED. She wasn't suspended and wasn't warned because they didn't know as they didn't see it. All they had to do was see me and see her. Looked at the difference. Have I ever had an apology from her? No. She actually speaks nice to me now but little does she know how much it has affected me.

There is one last thing that happened to me when I was in school. I think I was in Year 9 or Year 10 if I remember rightly. I was walking down an empty corridor in school and this boy, a year or two older than me came close by and touched me down below near my belt. I felt sick. I lined up for my R.E lesson and sat down. I didn't concentrate much in that lesson. It doesn't sound bad and doesn't sound serious but to me I felt hurt. He did get suspended. I never told my Dad any of this and only one or two people know about this. Someone else had done a similar thing the following 2 years, but out of school.

I am scared that my girls are going experience a bad time through secondary school. I want my girls to tell me if something is bothering or has bothered them. I am petrified for when that time comes. Mia is already in Year 1 and all I can think about is she is getting closer and closer to start Secondary school and so is Elliw. I am petrified if they are going to be victims of a beating or bullying. It really does petrify me. I want them to enjoy school, have good decent trustworthy friends.

#MirrorMyMummy with George at ASDA


I was recently contacted by the lovely people from George at ASDA to take part in a campaign called #MirrorMyMummy. I was given a certain amount of money to spend on some clothes for my girls and myself. George is one of my favourite places to buy clothes as I find the quality of their clothes fantastic for all ages. I found it quite difficult to find some clothes as there is such a big range of beautiful clothes for clothes, baby and womens.

I decided to choose a mixture of clothes and added a few new shoes for the girls also. I thought since I am now expecting Baby #3 I could add something small for Baby and add a couple of maternity clothes from George Maternity Range. There is a wide choice of tops, dresses, trousers and much more. The grey maternity t-shirt has a longer back than the front which is what I liked about it. It also has great detail around the neck of the t-shirt. It went perfect with the black jeggings from the plus size range. I also included a tunic striped navy top from the womens range.

My Saturday Snapshot / My Sunday Photo