Not long ago I wrote a post showing you all my pram wish list. If you have not seen it, you can read it here. When looking for a pram there are a few important things you need to think about before actually buying one. If you are not a parent or never been in the situation to buy a pram, you would never think that buying a pram needs a lot of thinking.

 

"The love between Mother and child is forever..."

One day after school me and the girls were at home. The sun was shining but it was still quite chilly. Mia was off school because of toileting problems but Elliw went to her speech and language school in the afternoon as usual. When Elliw arrived back home, they both played really nicely together. They had their usual after-school snack and off they played again. Not long after, they both came up to me and asked if we could go out. I thought 'why not?!'

May aswell make the most of the sun. I decided to wrap the girls and myself up nice and warm. They got their scooters out and off we went. Elliw decided she didn't want to ride her scooter because she thought I would leave her behind, so I ended up carrying it! Luckily the park isn't that far from our house and just round the corner.

When we arrived at the park, we were lucky that it was empty so the girls could go on anything they wanted. They were so excited and nicely playing. They had turns on the swings, slide and down the 'fireman' pole as Mia calls it.

It was so nice watching the girls play and have some fresh air. I don't take the girls to the park very often because I don't like going places where there's a lot of people and I get petrified with Elliw on a slide when she nearly got stuck on a really tall slide last year. But I really do need to start taking them to the park more often. It's fresh air for them and for myself. They had so much fun.

There has been a lot of talks about Baby boy the past few weeks. The girls are deffintely somehow bonding with him, if that is even possible yet? There are many things they are doing which is involving Baby boy. They talk about him a lot. Mia loves giving big cuddles too me and gives bump a kiss and lays her head on bump and tries to listen to him moving (as she says).

I really want to tell them the name we have decided for Baby boy, but I just know they will go telling everyone! But they will be the first ones to know (other than the close family that know already). I can not wait. When I told the girls that they were going to be big sisters, Mia wasn't all that happy. She didn't want a baby in the house. But as my belly is growing bigger and bigger each week, she is really interested in how baby is, how and why my belly is growing so big and so on.

I love answering their questions. We all sit down sometimes and I ask them what their favourite names are for Baby boy. There have been some strange and hilarious names but it's something to look back on and make us laugh.

Although the girls are super excited to meet their baby brother, I am going to concentrate on spending as much time with them together and separate, as possible before Baby boy arrives. Mia goes to her Dad's one night a week, so we get time with Elliw alone then but when Baby boy arrives there won't be any 'alone' time with Elliw, unless someone babysits Baby boy but because I am going to be breastfeeding I am not sure how it will work. But I am looking forward to do everything I have planned before Baby boy arrives.

 



Welcome!

Welcome back to week #44. Hope you've all had a lovely week. Mine hasn't been too bad, the weather has been lovely but a bit chilly. Really enjoyed reading all your posts from last week's linky. Here is to week #44! Have a lovely weekend x

 

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

I have two favourite posts this week and they are from -

Hello Archie - When your toddler replaces sleeping with screaming

Busy Working Mummy - Why I Won't Take My Little Man Abroad Anytime Soon...

 

------------

 - GRAB THE BADGE -

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

An InLinkz Link-up

There hasn't been much difference this week compared to my last pregnancy update. The only difference this week I have been thinking about things more recently and feeling a lot more emotional than normal. It hasn't been a hard week with anything really. The girls have behaved all week pretty much. I haven't had much energy to tidy or do many things but I try my best.

Me and my partner are looking to buy a car soon before Baby boy arrives. There are many things to consider before buying an old or brand new car. There are many advantages and disadvantages and things to know before deciding on buying a car, old or new. With the new 16-reg plate coming out in just a few weeks, Motorparks have done a very informative infographic about all the advantages and disadvantages, along with other things you should know.

If you haven't guessed yet, I love taking photos. Everywhere I go I always bring my camera. My Taid is the same, so I think I must of got it from him! I think it is so important to capture those special moments. Especially if you have children. It's so nice sitting down one day and going through old photo albums. I have thousands and thousands of photos on my laptop and my two old laptops which have broken but I am hoping I can get my photos off them somehow (one day!).

I was recently asked to review some photo prints with Imprify. You may have seen my other review for them when I reviewed their photobook. Imprify is a phone app which allows you to order photo prints and other items by using your phone. It's quick and simple. It also lets you edit the way you want your photos and what size you want them.

It took a few days for my prints to arrive but it was worth the wait. I was extremely happy with the quality of these photos prints. They aren't your normal photo print paper, the quality of the photo print is thick, a bit like thick card. My photos weren't fantastic quality but that was only because the photos were edited on my phone and taken on my phone, so I wasn't expecting them to come out great quality.

You can download the Imprify App here.

We have been living in our current home for nearly two years now and we still haven't completed the house to how we want it. I must admit buying a house is much more harder than private renting. Many things have happened since moving here, we have had leaks and the kitchen ceiling fell last August, as well as having to do a massive makeover to the back garden. We are going to do the bedrooms soon before arrives but the room I hope to complete by the end of the year is the dining room.

Last August I was given a Minion party pack from Party Bags and Supplies and was very pleased with the party pack. We had a fun day having a Minion party with the girls and one of my brothers, they sure all did enjoy themselves. Planning a party can be very expensive and stressful because there are many things to do for a party such as sorting out a cake, planning the theme, buying the food, sorting out the party bags, getting the invites out and so much more.

Partybagsandsupplies is a website that sells party packs and more for all kinds of celebrations, from kids parties to hen parties. They offer a lot of different characters and themes to choose from. You are sure to find the right party pack and accessories for your party on the website. At great prices too, I really do recommend them.

The people are Partybagsandsupplies are kindly giving away £30 for one lucky reader to spend on their website. All you have to do is read the T&C's and enter via the Rafflecopter below! Good luck everyone.

Terms and Conditions
1. Prize is £30 to spend at www.partybagsandsupplies.co.uk
2. Winner will be notified within 72 hours of giveaway ending
3. Please enter correctly, or you will be disqualified
4. Prize is given by Partybagsandsupplies (not Life-As-Mum)

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It always amazes me the things my girls come out with and I would love to know what goes on in their little heads. Kids really do have the most amazing imagination, don't they? We were recently asked if we would like to take part in the spring Lego project by Ocean Loans who have set up a project to showcase the creative talent in children in the UK! I thought it was a brilliant idea, so we took part.

When I was pregnant with Mia I slowly started showing around 12 weeks but with Elliw I started showing around 10 weeks. With this third pregnancy I am bigger in my weight so I didn't show as early as Elliw, but I knew there was a change as I could feel it but I knew no one else would notice. My partner noticed around 12 - 13 weeks because my bump was quite hard. But otherwise I don't think my bump was properly visible to everybody else until I was roughly 16 odd weeks pregnant.

Many times I have spoken to my friends and told them 'I have so much blog work to do' or having to cancel plans because I need to catch up or start some blog work and most of them do look at me with a blank face. Because lets face it, any non-blogger who comes across a blog or knows a blogger (in person or via social media) don't really know how hard it is to run a blog. They are pretty much clueless about how much a blog needs and about the 'blogging world'.

Finding the right case for your phone can be quite tricky! It has to look right, it has to protect your phone and look nice (if you're like me). So many phones are getting bigger/wider and thinner, so we are more than likely to drop them from our hands. I was recently asked to review a Alston Craig Genuine Vintage Leather E-Scape Tec Wallet Case Cover recently and I instantly thought about my partners Dad. It looked like his type of case and he also has an iPhone 6.

When I received the case I was very pleased of the fantastic quality of leather. The beautiful brown leather and the stunning detail of this phone case is a kind everyone would love. The case isn't your typical thin case, it is a thick fantastic quality case which also protects you from anyone trying to scan your phone with it's Rfid blocking. With it happening so much these days, that is a bonus.

I met my partner back in 2011. I remember trying to speak to him through Facebook messenger back in 2010 but he didn't seem interested with his one word answers, but after speaking about it (a few months back), we think he was seeing someone at the time - oops! (I didn't know!). I had since then made a new Facebook and my partner had seen me at a bus stop at the end of my street (he said) and he then found me on Facebook, we met up and that was it. Nearly 5 years later we have a beautiful daughter together and a son on the way.

He is a fantastic step-dad to my first daughter, Mia and a fantastic Dad to our daughter Elliw. I can not wait for our baby boy to arrive, then our family will be complete. Seeing my partner and my girls together really does make my heart melt. I feel like such a lucky girl to have found such an amazing man and an amazing Dad to the girls. I couldn't of chosen a better Dad for Elliw and baby boy, and a step-Dad to Mia. He is truly amazing.

My girls really do look up to him. They ask for him often during the day when he goes to work. He works from 7am until 5/6pm (sometimes later) 5 days a week and then again Saturday nights So, I am also really lucky that I have such a hard working partner and that is something I hope my girls will really look up to and follow as they grow older.

"You Fathers will understand. You have a little girl. She looks up to you. You're her oracle. You're her hero." - Stanley T. Banks - Father of the Bride



Welcome!

Welcome back to week #43. Hope you've all had a lovely half term/week! I'm feeling better this week but still suffering with some nausea symptoms, urgh! The joys eh? However, I have managed to read all your posts from last week, so that is a good thing! Just another quick thank you to all you regulars and newbies for linking up with my and Kirsty! Really appreciate it! Here is to week #43... Please remember to read the simple rules.

 

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

 One Sunny Day In February

------------

 - GRAB THE BADGE -

<a href="http://www.life-as-mum.co.uk/p/fun-family-days-out-linky.html" target="_blank"><img alt="thumbnailsize" border="0" src="http://i67.tinypic.com/t9f86g.png" style="border: none; max-width: 100%;" /> </a>

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

An InLinkz Link-up

I am currently 17 weeks pregnant and if I am honest I haven't really enjoyed this pregnancy. Some parts I have and some parts I haven't. But I try not to complain too much because one day soon Obstetric Cholestasis will flare up big time and that is when I will have the right to complain and moan! Here are 5 symptoms I haven't enjoyed in the past 17 weeks -

The only time I really get peace and 'allowed' to watch TV is either in the mornings when the kids are in school or in the evenings when they are in bed. I am lucky that me and my partner like watching the same TV shows, so we don't really argue over watching soaps. I personally think having that 'me time' and just chilling in front of the TV is quite important.

17 weeks pregnant and baby is apparently the size of an onion! It's mad to think I only have 23 weeks left! But I may only have 20-23 weeks left because there is a good chance I will be induced early, again. Nothing much has really changed from my 16 week pregnancy update really. Only difference is I do feel like I have popped out a lot more this week! When I put the photo above on Facebook the other day my partner was even shocked at how big I looked at only 17 weeks (he was in work when he saw it). I dread to think how big I am going to be near the end!

I am already 17 weeks pregnant and if I am honest, I can finally admit that this pregnancy is flying by. I found out pretty early and I had some worries and concerns in early pregnancy but I am worrying about different things now. I do think, every single woman who is pregnant worries about similar things or worries about something during their pregnancy. It's only natural to worry, isn't it?

I remember how I felt when I was pregnant with Elliw. I was petrified. I wasn't sure how I was going to 'share' my love. How was I supposed to give the same amount of love and attention to my second baby as I had for Mia? So many things went through my head. In the end I ended up with pre-natal depression. I am not worried this time about sharing the love as I know it will instantly happen once baby is born and placed in my arms. I do feel different being pregnant the third time than what I did during my first and second pregnancy. But I do have my worries.

Obstetric Cholestasis - This is one of my main worries. I am petrified that I am not going to be able to cope with it third time round. It is so tiering. Constant intense itching, all day, every day. I do hope the tablets and cream work better this time round than it did during my second pregnancy. It is worrying, as I will be in and out of hospital checking that baby is ok and also checking my bile acids by taking bloods each week. I am worried for trying to make that time every week, especially when the kids are in school.

Back in 2009 I fell pregnant with my first child at the age of 16 years. It was hard, worrying and pretty much scary but of course, I dealt with it and got through it! My daughter is now a happy, beautiful and confident 6 year old little girl. It has taken me a good few months to decide whether I wanted to post this on my blog but I thought it may help other parents who also have to deal with co-parenting and maybe a good post for those young mums out there too.

I gave birth my beautiful daughter at the age of 17 in December 2009. That day changed my life forever. But for the best. I knew I was going to be a single Mam from the day I found out I was pregnant, her Dad had moved on and was with somebody else 2 weeks before I found out I was 7 weeks pregnant. At the time, it hurt but when I look back, things happen for a reason and I am much happier where I am right now and wouldn't change my children or my partner for the world. I am happy.

I thought I would follow on from my popular post 16 and pregnant and let you all know how my first year as a single mother was and how I coped being a young single mum. This post is my true story.



My first year as a young single Mother

Mia's Dad came to see Mia for the first time when she was 3 days old. I remember that day clearly. I was in my dressing gown and looked pretty rubbish. I was in pain and feeling like crap too. The door knocked, but I thought it was the postman with a parcel. Mia was sleeping in my arms so I carried her with me to the door. It was her Dad. I was unsure how to feel. Anyway, I invited him in and asked if he wanted to hold Mia. He did. He stared at her and I had to walk out of the room and go into the fron room. In that front room, I burst into tears. I had gone through all that pregnancy by myself (with the help of my Dad). I was scared and now seeing Mia and her Dad together, it made me happy. I thought 'finally! he is stepping up!'. After clearing up the tears, I went back into the living where Mia and her Dad was. He didn't stay long. I think it was around half an hour or less that he stayed. He told me he would come up every Tuesday or Wednesday (can't remember which day it was now). I was pleased.

I was only sixteen years old when I was pregnant with my first daughter, Mia. I was lucky enough to be given a lot of things, such as clothes and even a pram from my uncle. They were all second hand but that didn't bother me, they were all in perfect condition. I didn't really look for a pram for Mia then until she was a good few months old. When I had Elliw, I had no choice to buy a double pram and yet again, this pram was second hand but I bought it on a selling website.

This Baby is going to be my last and in all honesty, I would love to by a brand new pram. I never had a carrycot with the other prams I had previously with my girls so I am specifically looking for a pram that comes with a carrycot. I have been looking in stores and online to see what kind of budget I should have and too see what kind of prams that are catching my eye.

Joie Chrome Pram | Egg Pushchair | Stokkee Xplory | Bebecar Hip Hop Pram

 

Have you ever had any of the prams shown above?

I am not quite sure that friends and family understand why I really want to lose weight during this pregnancy. Or other people! With my previous pregnancies I literally ate for two! It was wrong, because I faced the consequences at the end. I gained 7 stone with my first and even though I lose more than half of that gained weight a few months after I had Mia, I went to gain 2-3 stone during my second pregnancy.

I have many people who are shocked or even question me to why I want to lose weight whilst pregnant and I thought this post may cover their questions.

I have always had trouble with my weight. It really gets me down. Many days of the week I stand in front of the mirror and think how disgusting I look. I even wonder why my partner is with someone like me. I lost 3 and a half stone in 2014/2015 and I think to myself why in the world did I let my self put it all (nearly) back on? Why did I let myself go? I was happy and proud of myself. I actually started to like how I looked.

Although, I really want to lose weight, like badly. I do find it quite hard to keep motivated all the time. Doesn't make sense does it? You'd think that someone who badly wants to loose weight, that they can keep focussed and keep their mind at it until (and after) they reached their target. But that's not the case. Not for me anyway. I do struggle and I am not scared to admit that.

Before I had my first daughter I weighed a healthy 9 stone 7 and a half pounds. I was a size 10/12 and happy. I would love to get back that, but at the moment I am aiming to be in the 10 stone somewhere. Ideally aiming to be back into size 12. Although I have gained weight last week and probably again this week, this post is making me feel really motivated in starting fresh again. I have to loose weight for many reasons such as -

- My health
- My baby and two daughters
- To get more energy
- To feel happy about myself again

They are my personal reasons to why I want to loose weight and why it is important to me. It really puts me down when I think about the reasons I gained weight in my last pregnancies. My reason was 'I'm pregnant', like I had to gain weight. That is not what I need to hear or use this time round. I want to be able to run around with my kids and especially having 3 kids to look after at the end of July, I think it is really important for me to get my head down and just loose this weight and never put it back on!

Did you ever lose weight during pregnancy?

I am a huge music fan. I can listen to music all day, if I was allowed too! But of course, Cbeebies and Nick Jr has to be one through out most of the day. But when I can, I put music on and just relax. It also helps me feel motivated to get some house work done or do a quick workout. There are so many fantastic songs around recently, and I thought I would give you a list of my top five favourite songs so far.

1. Lukas Graham - 7 Years
I am in love with this song. I could fall asleep listening to this song. The most I have replayed this song, one after the other, is about 8-9 times. I could listen to it all day. I love the lyrics and it really does make you think - life is too short!

You can have a listen here

If you are following my weight loss journey, you might of realised that I haven't written an update for over a two weeks. This was because I never went to group 2 weeks as it is was my partners birthday and we were out. I went to group last Wednesday and unfortunately I did have a gain. I was a little gutted but I knew why I had a gain.

The past 2-3 weeks I haven't really been 100% on plan. I've been eating whatever I fancy because my stomach turns with certain things. The past few days the weather has helped and put me in a better mood, but I need to get motivated to start cooking from scratch again, instead of having the easy sandwiches or packet of crisps!

Last week I gained 3.5lbs which I was a little disappointed but I was also really happy because I thought I would have gained about half a stone! So 3.5lbs isn't too bad in two weeks is it?! I know this week is going to be a gain too but I have written out my food plan for the next few days, so hopefully that will help me to keep motivated.

Now that I have gained 3.5lbs, I do have a big more weight to loose to reach my target, but hopefully I can do it! The weather seems to be getting nicer and brighter, so I am crossing everything that I will be 100% motivated soon.

Since I found out I was pregnant, I have been forever looking at baby clothes in stores and online. I bought a few unisex clothing before finding out Baby's gender as I couldn't resist! At 14 weeks 5 days when I found out that Baby is a boy I was just over the moon! I honestly couldn't wait to go looking for monochrome, blue, grey and green clothes (my favourite colours for boys clothes!).

I was recently contacted by a lovely online baby boutique, Little Chickie, too see if I wanted to review one of their items. I took a look at their lovely and easy-to-use website and came across this adorable footless sleepsuit. I thought it was just perfect for Baby boy. The colours and the elephant design was just adorable and the design I love. I love how all my favourite colours and favourite animal was on one item.

This sleepsuit is a footless sleepsuit which makes it perfect for my Summer baby, but even when it is a bit chilly you can put some lovely cosy socks or baby slippers. The quality of this sleepsuit is fantastic. The soft feel and bright colours of this sleepsuit make it perfect for little babies. This sleepsuit comes in one size, 0-3 months.

Features
⋆ Made from 100% soft organic cotton
⋆ Footless
⋆ Colours are from AZO free dyes, so is kind to your baby's skin
⋆ Poppers to make it easy to change your baby
⋆ Keeps its shape

Little Chickie's online baby boutique sell some lovely gifts and clothing for babies and toddlers. From organic sleepsuits, muslins to cot mobiles, it's all on Little Chickie. I would recommend Little Chickie if you have a baby or toddler yourself, pregnant or know someone who is due a little one soon.

You can visit Little Chickie website here.

Did you enjoy that review? Did you take a look at Little Chickie's website and love what you saw? Well, here is a chance for you to win £40 vouchers on Little Chickie's website! All you have to do is make sure you read the Terms and Conditions then enter the Rafflcopter below.

Terms & Conditions
1. Prize is £40 to spend on Little Chickie's online website.
2. Winner will be notified within 3 days of giveaway ending.
3. All entrants will be checked, so please enter correctly.
4. Prize if gifted by Little Chicke, not by Life-As-Mum.
5. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway