52 Weeks of Memories | 5: Bedtime

Bedtime. At the moment, I long for bedtime. M is still getting me up incredibly early, so by lunchtime I'm ready to drop. Neither girls have naps in the afternoon - B has no naps at all. As much as I love them, bedtime is most welcome. A chance to cuddle them both in bed, whilst lying down! An opportunity for a sneaky nap before I head back downstairs to be a grownup for an hour or two. And they're so beautiful when they're asleep, cuddling each other or holding hands, or even wiggling around until they're lying top to toe. 

I didn't want to risk waking them with the flash, so I had to take a picture of bedtime prep. Pyjamas lain out on the bed, while Daddy does bathtime and I get 15 minutes to myself. Bliss. 

What does bedtime look like in your house?

Wishes for 2015 - Update

How have my New Year Wishes been panning out? I'm quite pleased with myself so far.

1) Blog more - I've set myself a schedule to get myself blogging more frequently. That is working. I've published at least two posts a week, but I haven't yet hit upon that post that's going to go viral! ;)
2) Bible study - Better than last year, but this is still an area requiring much improvement. 
3) Meal planning - Yes! I've been planning our meals every Friday when our Abel & Cole box arrives. It's so much less stressful when I know what I need to do in advance. No panics that I don't have what I need; no sending the Hubby out to buy something quick because I've got no inspiration.
4) Date nights - We haven't had a specific date night, but we've scheduled in some activities other than watching TV together when the kids are in bed. We're currently working on a 1000 piece puzzle together. 
5) Read - I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. It was compelling, though I wouldn't say enjoyable. I loved taking 10 minutes each day to read, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the girls were happy to let me be for that time.
6) Walk more - It's been very cold and we've been poorly at various times, and so we haven't been for as many walks as I would have liked. Here's to a more active February!

7) Declutter - This has been our most successful venture into the world of decluttering. We've been focusing on the kitchen and it's starting to look really good. My father-in-law came and put up some shelves and now we have almost clear work surfaces, which is amazing. The Hubby is doing a fantastic job of keeping everything clean and clear when I'm getting the girls to sleep. 
8) Create an app - Hahaha! Nowhere near!

Me and Mine 2015 - January

  

And so begins another year of joining in with the Me and Mine project hosted by Lucy at Dear Beautiful. 

Some days you just have to put on the dressing up accessories your 3 year old hands you, and pose for some group shots with the Hubby's selfie stick!

January has gone incredibly quickly, despite being a month of sniffles and colds. We had a brief smattering of snow, but it was gone by lunchtime. The girls were excited to watch the snowflakes coming down. M can walk, and say 'biscuit' and B's name. She's suddenly started to sign much more and it's lovely to see her communicating with us. We've had some visits from old uni friends, which has been lots of fun.

This month...

The Hubby has enjoyed:

Seeing M walk

Deciding to stay in his job

Keeping the kitchen clean and clutter-free

Getting new running shoes

Hot pod yoga

Getting some decent clippers for his beard

Making up a new bedtime story for B

I have enjoyed:

Reading a book

Catching up on the last series of Call the Midwife

Decluttering

Doing a jigsaw puzzle with the Hubby

Hearing M say some words

Catching up with old friends 

B has enjoyed:

Doing puzzles

Colouring inside the lines

Dressing up

Going to the supermarket dressed as Merida

Singing

Listening to Daddy's bedtime stories and getting excited about the next instalment.

M has enjoyed:

Learning to walk

Using more signs

Saying words

Mr Tumble

Putting things into boxes

Thankful Thursday - A Member of My Family

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 

(2 Timothy 1:5 NIVUK)

My Nana and me

My Nana passed away nearly 12 years ago. She was a feisty woman. Strong, tenacious, awe-inspiring. A real Catholic Matriarch. And I was quite scared of her! She cared deeply about all her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren - of which there are many! She made horrendous porridge, but she had a great collection of musicals on video. I first saw The King and I sat on Nana's lounge floor. And we loved discovering glow in the dark rosaries in the bedrooms. She had a 3D picture of the Pope, which I loved to look at. 

But most importantly to me, she was a woman of great faith. I am so grateful for the things I've learnt through her. I believe she covered the whole family in a great deal of prayer - something that is missing - to an extent - from our lives now. I pray one day that I will be as powerful a prayer warrior as she was. At her funeral I found out stories about Nana that have had a great influence on me since...

52 Weeks of Memories | 4:Together

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV)

Not the greatest of photographs, but this represents our Bible study time together. The hubby and I are exploring Catholicism more deeply - interesting for me to learn more about my own faith, and helpful for him to learn where I'm coming from. Through this I pray we will be able to encourage and support each other better. 

Thankful Thursday - My Family

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. Desmond Tutu

I am one of four children. I have 31 first cousins, and I don't even know how many second and third cousins. I love being a part of a big family, and I pray that one day my children will know the pleasure of having loads of cousins to play with. They currently have one cousin - a lovely little girl, just two weeks younger than B. 

I'm so grateful for my parents. They have been a great help over the past few years: Mum has guided and supported my breastfeeding journeys, hoovered our stairs and cleaned toilets, and rung me often to check how I'm doing; Dad has entertained the children, done gardening, and come to stay over when the Hubby's been away on business. 

I'm thankful for my siblings too. We have our share of conflict - unavoidable with the stubborn genes we've all inherited! - but we are able to get over that when it counts.

52 Weeks of Memories | 3: Sky

How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done! (Psalm 19:1 GNT)

An ordinary day, a walk to the shop, wrapped up against the cold.

Exhausted from the 4am wake up with M, and feeling harried from the feat of getting everyone dressed and out of the house. Then this sky - cool blue, hazy through the frosty air, shining in the winter sunshine. A reminder that in the ordinary there are moments of beauty, flashes of God at work. The sky is the sky, always there, and yet that doesn't make it any less special, any less beautiful.

A timely reminder to notice the extraordinary in each day.

Thankful Thursday - My Husband

When I think back to the days when I had convinced myself that I would never get married or have children I can't believe how far from that I've come. That crisp, winter morning in 2007 when I was walking to church, praying, and telling God that if He was ever going to let me get married, I'd like it to be on a day like that was, seems like such a long time ago. But His promise that day still burns bright in my mind. I was given my wedding date. In full. I claimed the promise and - Lo! - I got married on that day. So this week, I want to thank God for my husband. Long awaited and very much appreciated.

Out for dinner for our 5th Wedding Anniversary in December

Siblings - January 2015

It's exciting to be starting another year of the Siblings project. I really enjoyed last year's - everything was new. Now they're used to each other, and really enjoy being together. I'm looking forward to seeing how the dynamics change as M begins to walk and talk. Will they enjoy running around together? What will they talk about? 

It's becoming increasingly difficult to get a photo of these two together where they both look at the camera, or at least stop moving long enough to not be blurry in the picture!

52 Weeks of Memories | 2: Happy

Week 2 - Happy
“God then remains, in following after whom we live well, and in reaching whom we live both well and happily.” St. Augustine - De Moribus Ecclesiae: I, 6, 10 (http://gnosis.org/library/democ.htm)

Here we are with my best friend and her family. We try to meet up every six weeks or so. She and her husband are godparents to our daughters; the hubby and I are godparents to all three of their children. When we were choosing godparents for B and M, our main concern was that they be people who truly follow God, who would join us in guiding the girls to follow Him. This couple and another good friend met our requirements. We felt confident that they would support us in bringing up our daughters to love and serve Jesus, to lead lifestyles worthy of being called Christians; would pray often for them; would give advice that matches our own beliefs; and would be good role models to imitate. And so, I hope that our daughters will find the true happiness and good life of following after God. This photo means "Happy" to me because it is full of people I love: my husband, my children, my dear friends and my godchildren. I trust that not only will I enjoy their company here on earth, but that I will be able to sing praises to our Creator with them for all eternity in Heaven. What greater happiness can there be?  
"Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise." (James 5:13 NIV)

52 Weeks of Memories | 1: Summer

This year I'm joining in with 52 Weeks of Memories, hosted by Finding Myself Young. Week 1 - Summer In the bleakness of January, summer seems a long way off. But the snowdrops have sprouted. "Aslan is on the move!" Winter isn't without end. The sun will return.

I spotted these snowdrops bursting through the undergrowth on a walk around the grounds of Belton House today. Not the best photograph though, unfortunately.

Thankful Thursday - Be Grateful in All Things

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

I started the year feeling unwell - a horrible sore throat that began before Christmas and is still going strong. When I'm ill I find it very easy to sink into feeling sorry for myself, bemoaning my situation and cultivating an attitude of complaint. So, when I discovered that gratitude can actually improve health, I was intrigued. I read about a study where participants were separated into three groups and asked to journal. One group had to write down daily/weekly events they were grateful for; the second group had to write down daily/weekly hassles; the control group wrote down events that had affected them, but without expressing emotions. 

Wishes for 2015

This time last year I posted my resolutions for 2014. I looked back over them the other day and was pleasantly surprised to discover that I'd actually managed most of them!

My Resolutions for 2014:
1) Less screen time - through the year we've managed to reduce the amount of IPlayer/Netflix we watch quite dramatically. When M was very little, B and I would watch quite a lot, because I was really struggling to keep her occupied whilst almost constantly feeding M. We have days now where we don't watch any, though with M waking up at 4 most mornings, there are afternoons where I hit the wall and put something on so I can have a sneaky nap on the settee. B was using our phones quite a bit at the start of the year too, but that has reduced hugely to maybe once a week at most. We do allow time on Reading Eggs and Mathseeds on the ipad though, because she loves it. The hubby and I tend to watch TV together in the evenings - something I think we need to cut down on. However, I've started putting my phone away when I've got the girls to sleep, so that I can concentrate on the time we have together after bedtime.
2) Institute family prayer & Bible time at least 3 days a week - Family prayer time has been a success. We pray all together every night, on the bed at bedtime, before stories. B often says her own prayers - lovely ones, and some three year old weirdness in there too! She says grace at most meals for us now. These can go on a bit - she takes after my dad ;) And clearly M has been watching closely, as she puts her hands together before eating when we say grace. Bible reading, however, has not been so good. During December we read the Children's Bible at most lunchtimes, but this is something we need to get better at.
3) Drive my car and stop being afraid - I drive all over now, getting out and about with the girls at least once a week, often more. I really enjoy having the freedom, and I'm so proud of myself for overcoming my fear. I like having the time to myself when I'm in the driver's seat, especially when the girls nap on the way home. I still don't enjoy driving itself, but I'm certainly a great deal more confident.
4) Blog more - I've posted more, but not the kind of posts I like the most. Lots of photo posts and writing about our little family, but I didn't get around to writing the meaty stuff I enjoy writing. There just aren't enough hours in the day. I wish I knew how other mums do it.
5) Drink at least 3.5 litres of water a day - some days.
6) Return to meal planning - aargh! This has been my biggest fail. Let's not even go there.

And so, without further ado, here are...
My Wishes for 2015:

1) Blog more - I really want to write some good, meaty blogposts. Ones that make people think. Or - at the very least - make me think.
2) Bible study - I need to read my Bible more. On my own; with the hubby; with the girls.
3) Meal planning - It will save time and money.
4) Date nights - Spend more quality time with the hubby, rather than watching TV together every night. A date night at least once a fortnight too. Not necessarily going out, but making proper time for each other after the girls are asleep. And maybe play some board games together.
5) Read - I want to find time to read. I haven't read a book for myself for a really long time, and I miss reading. I want to get lost in a book. It may well be a pipe dream, but one day I will suceed!
6) Walk more - I want to take the girls out for a proper walk at least twice each week. It will do us so much good. M sleeps better in the fresh air. B might need a bit of persuading, but feeding ducks or playing on climbing frames are good incentives.
7) Declutter - we've made a start on getting rid of lots of 'stuff', but we have so much more to do, and I really want us to keep going.
8) Create an app - I have an idea of what, but no clue as to how! But I can attempt to learn.

I suppose the summary of these eight resolutions would actually be to make more time for myself in 2015 - for my soul, my mind, my relationships, my environment and my body. I've found mothering to be such an all consuming role, and the balance part of Attachment Parenting seems - at times - to be far out of reach. In 2015, I shall claw back some balance, and I hope that will enable me to be a better mother.

It's all about balance!

 Linked up at 5minutesformom.

Mamatography 52 - Me and Mine: December

Here it is - my last Mamatography post and last Me and Mine of 2014. It's been a lot of fun, but I wish I'd been able to keep up and post every week. Perhaps 2015 will be more successful. I'm looking forward to looking back through my photos and seeing how the year has progressed.

December has been fun. I love Christmas and all it has to offer. And we celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary.

Here we are on Christmas Day. All dressed up for dinner at my sister's house, where we spent the day with my family and a couple of friends.

M was much happier than she looks in these photos - she absolutely loved opening her presents, squeaking and making 'wow' sounds for every one. B was as crazy as she looks here! That's what happens when a three year old finds the mini marshmallow stash and gets more presents than she knows what to do with!

This month...

The Hubby has enjoyed:

Having great conversations with B

Going out for dinner for our wedding anniversary

Starting yoga

Listening to Pentatonix's That's Christmas to Me album

Making the pigs in blankets for Christmas Dinner

I have enjoyed:

Dinner out for our wedding anniversary

Taking B to the Pound Shop to pick out presents for family

Our Jesse Tree activities

Christmas food. Oh, so much Christmas food!

Listening to Loreena McKennit's A Midwinter Night's Dream album

Seeing B playing an angel in the Nativity at church

Seeing how excited B was to find that Father Christmas had left a bit of mince pie for her, whilst being completely unbothered about checking for gifts

B has enjoyed:

Giving out her Christmas presents

Spending time with her grandparents, uncles and aunties

Visiting her cousin

Getting an Elsa dress AND a Merida dress for Christmas. With wigs!

Getting excited about Father Christmas

Singing Christmas songs

M has enjoyed:

Singing

Listening to/watching White Winter Hymnal

Learning to sign 'milk'

Cuddling her new panda

Daddy's singing Santa hat
Opening presents 

This post is part of the Mamatography 2014 Project with Diary of a First Child and Momma Jorje.

We are taking (at least) a photo a day, a collage or a picture each week to keep a record of our year. Join us at any point during the year and start sharing your own daily photos!

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December 14th - Loving Father

A beard to represent St. Joseph, Jesus' dad on earth. 

We don't know much about him, but God must have made him very special to trust him to look after His son. 

December 12th - Worship Leader

David danced before the Lord. He sang and played; he wrote the psalms. In our house there is always a lot of singing going - mainly Frozen! - so this aspect of David was easy for B to grasp. And just to help, we made a tambourine. It's great!

Mamatography - Siblings: December

So much cuteness nowadays! They play together - the favourite game is when B tips out the box of blocks and M puts them all back, over and over - and they cuddle at bedtime. There's still some snatching going on, and B's dollies are ever so enticing, despite M receiving her own for her birthday, but generally they are just so cute together. M is cruising around the furniture, and B holds her hands and helps her to walk. They both find that hysterical. I love how much they love each other. 

That's a year of Siblings over. I've really enjoyed this project, and will continue in 2015. It's so lovely to look back over the photos and see how these two have changed and grown, and how they have come to love and enjoy each other.

This post is part of the Mamatography 2014 Project with Diary of a First Child and Momma Jorje.

We are taking (at least) a photo a day, a collage or a picture each week to keep a record of our year. Join us at any point during the year and start sharing your own daily photos!

Click Get the code here below to add the blog hop to your blog and join the fun. (Also sign up to be added to a comment group!)

December 9th - A Baby Saved

Baby Moses in his basket.

December 8th - Never Alone

God had a plan for Joseph. He sank to the pits, but God had a plan to bring him up to the heights.

"And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." (Genesis 45:5 NIV)

We made a dreamcatcher because Joseph was a dreamer, but also because the belief about dreamcatchers is that they protect, just as God protected him. We watched the film of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - starring Donny Osmond! - and I was touched by the line in one of the songs: "Children of Israel are never alone." That was the message I wanted us to take away from the story of Joseph.

December 7th - God Watches Over Us

Genesis 28:10-22

Today we read about Jacob's dream at Bethel. God's promise to Jacob, to be with him wherever he goes, is for us too. What a comfort.

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go... (Genesis 28:15)

  

We love this angel! It's going on the top of our tree. 

Do you feel that God is watching over you always?

December 6th - God Provides

Genesis 22:1-19

This was a great craft. Aside from cutting out the legs and head, B did all of this herself. We set her off with it, and after a couple of minutes she seemed bored and wandered off. But a bit later on, she came into the lounge with a completed lamb. So proud!

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” 

Are you in need? Can we pray for you?

December 5th - As Many As The Stars

Genesis 15

Proud to be a descendant of Abraham!

He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5)

December 4th - Worth Saving

Genesis 6:9 - 9:17

We made rainbows out of paper plates today:

Genesis 9:13

I explained to B that God was sad about all the meanies and had to wash them away. But that He gave us rainbows so that we know He would never do it again. We generally focus on the animals and the rainbow in the story of Noah, especially when it comes to telling children, because the full story is so hugely difficult to comprehend. How could our all-loving God do something so horrific?

December 3rd - Consequences

Genesis 3

Today we found out what happened when Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge. Our parenting and discipline avoids threats and punishment, relying more on the teaching that comes from the natural consequences of our actions. Anyone present at our wedding will know what I mean when I say, "Consequences!" but for those readers who didn't have that experience, suffice it to say my dad gave a very long speech, punctuated by his reminder that we have to live with consequences of our actions. This was big in our childhood and now all my friends know too! I was embarrassed at the time, but actually, his speech does make sense to me now, as a parent.

Reading the account of the Fall from the perspective of consequences rather than punishment has been helpful for me. When God said Adam and Eve would die if they ate from the tree of Knowledge, it wasn't meant to be a threat of punishment for disobedience, but a warning. God could not allow them to eat from the tree of Life and so live forever if they had allowed badness to enter their hearts. It wouldn't - couldn't - be a case of just eating the fruit and then never breaking another rule. One sin leads to another and another. Immediately, Adam and Eve hid from God and then began to lie. The rollercoaster was on the move. Paradise couldn't be allowed to filled with sin, and so Adam and Eve had to leave. Their actions broke Creation, allowing pain and toil and enmity in. The consequence of eating of the tree of Knowledge was removal from the Tree of Life, and therefore death would be inevitable.

December 2nd - I Am Special

Genesis 1:26 - Genesis 2:25

Today we found out about Adam and Eve, and how God made people. I tried to explain to B that she is special because God made her and loves her. She was more interested in the fact that they were naked though!

Last year we put all of our handprints on a canvas and we thought it would be nice to make a tradition out of it, so we did it again. I thought getting M's handprint was tough last year - this year was harder! She just wanted to squeeze the paint. B really enjoyed this activity - she found it difficult to wait for the hubby's and my handprints to dry so that she could do hers. I think it's such a lovely reminder of how precious our family is.

December 1st - Looking After the Earth

Genesis 1:1 - 2:3

Today's Jesse Tree theme was Creation. We read the Genesis account at breakfast time, but B really wasn't in the mood to listen, so instead of starting the day with crafts, we got out into nature and took a walk.

The fresh air and exercise did us a lot of good. B calmed down; M slept most of the walk; I enjoyed being outside. As we walked, I talked about Creation with B and I was surprised to find that she had taken in quite a bit of the story at breakfast. She remembered that God made light first and then talked about Him putting a roof over the earth. She enjoyed pointing things out on our walk and telling me that God made them. We spoke about looking after the beautiful things God had made for us, and we fed the ducks as an example for her of being kind to animals.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Advent Waiting

Advent has come around again. My favourite time of year. So much excitement. The joy of waiting. The cold air; the lights; the smells. I'm definitely a traditional girl when it comes to Christmas - and by traditional I mean elements of the medieval! I love the spices and the jewelled fruits, the foods that we've been eating for centuries, and the carols that were sung by our ancestors. I can't wait to celebrate Jesus' birth. Equally, I love that we can start our own traditions with our own little family. Christmas is special because I know what's coming.

Mamatography 48 - Me and Mine: November

November ran away with us. I'm so relieved that a friend sent me a photo she took of us watching the fireworks at the Christmas Lights Switch-On. M's first time in the backpack carrier; she seemed bored by the fireworks. B looks unimpressed here; I'm not sure why!

We celebrated M's first birthday with a party with hot dogs, fireworks and glow stick games in the garden. We also had a weekend away with the inlaws, though the girls were both poorly the whole time.

This month...

The hubby has enjoyed:

The new play park that has opened behind our estate

Fireworks

Our first evening out without the kids since M was born

M's birthday party

Kisses from M

I've enjoyed:

Celebrating M's birthday

Watching House on Netflix

All the fireworks!

My new boots - comfy and warm

Reaching another breastfeeding milestone

Date night with the hubby

B has enjoyed:

Playing with her friends

The new play park

Her musical footsteps mat

Wearing a cape like Queen Elsa

Getting dressed by herself

M has enjoyed:

Doing "Cheers!" with drinks

Cruising around the furniture

Eating her birthday cake

Cuddling her new dollies

Playing with musical instruments

This post is part of the Mamatography 2014 Project with Diary of a First Child and Momma Jorje.

We are taking (at least) a photo a day, a collage or a picture each week to keep a record of our year. Join us at any point during the year and start sharing your own daily photos!

Click Get the code here below to add the blog hop to your blog and join the fun. (Also sign up to be added to a comment group!)

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

M's first birthday party was at the weekend. We had fireworks and soup and hot dogs and glow stick games. It was such a fantastic party. I gave cupcakes as the adult favours - Toffee Apple and Pumpkin Pie. I searched all over for a pumpkin cupcake recipe and couldn't find one I liked, so I had to make one up. Here it is, in case you are in the same predicament.

This recipe made 12 beautifully fluffy cupcakes, and oh, they were delicious!

For the cakes:

• Melt 125g butter over a low heat. Once melted, turn up the heat a bit and cook until the butter turns golden. Strain into a bowl and discard the burnt bits. Set aside.

NOTE: Use a metal sieve or tea strainer - plastic ones will melt, as I learned the hard way!

Mamatography 45: Siblings - November

We're approaching one year of these two being sisters, and they're still as lovely as ever together. With M on the verge of walking, will the cameraderie last? I hope so. I love seeing B helping her little sister - pushing her in a swing, brushing her teeth, fetching her books to look at. And it's so precious to wake to find them cuddling each other after B has got into bed with us in the night.

 

They're a great little double act now. M has developed a fondness for emptying the kitchen drawers; B helpfully puts the contents back in. B likes to help me hang up the washing; M likes to pull the clothes off the airer. When B isn't around, M gets bored, and, surprisingly, I get less done when I only have M to look after than when they're both with me! 

I think back to this time last year. I was so worried about whether B would cope with the new baby; I didn't know how I would look after two children; I was scared that I wouldn't love the baby as much as I loved B, or that B would feel forgotten and unloved. Needless worries. B loved M immediately. Adored her, despite her anger towards the hubby and myself. Somehow I have survived being a mother of two. And as for the love - I can hardly believe that I was worried about that. I love them both so very much. I struggle to remember what life was like before M. I can't imagine life without her. Though I know I miss having time with just B and me. That's something to strive for in the next year.

This post is part of the Mamatography 2014 Project with Diary of a First Child and Momma Jorje.

We are taking (at least) a photo a day, a collage or a picture each week to keep a record of our year. Join us at any point during the year and start sharing your own daily photos!

Click Get the code here below to add the blog hop to your blog and join the fun. (Also sign up to be added to a comment group!)

Mamatography 43: Me and Mine - October

October came and went incredibly quickly. The weather has been surprisingly mild and so the dark evenings have come almost as a shock. I struggle in the winter months with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but the sunshine has enabled me to get out a bit more, hopefully alleviating some of the SADness for this year. We've had a busy month. Lots of visits, including meeting up with (almost all) my uni housemates. It's 10 years since we lived together! Amazing to see how much we've all changed, and yet how comfortable we all still were with each other.
B has almost mastered toilet training this month. A relief, but also the speed she has got it this time around just goes to show that people are right when they say you need to wait until they're truly ready.
M is on the verge of standing independently, just a couple of weeks from her 1st birthday!
Both girls have been going to bed at the same time for a few weeks now, which has allowed the hubby and me to have some time together in the evenings. However, I do miss my time to myself, watching Foyle's War whilst nursing M, which I had been enjoying when B went to bed first with Daddy's help. And M has suddenly started waking up ridiculously early - like 3 or 4 am!! - and refusing to go back to sleep, wanting to play and chat. It's difficult being awake from that time in the morning and then not getting any alone time all day. This introvert is certainly struggling. The hubby often takes her downstairs to play for a bit at about 5:30/6ish, but I find it difficult to get back to sleep, ironically.
We're now on the countdown to M's first birthday. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone.

This was taken in St. Albans where we had a great day catching up with old friends. 

This month...

The hubby has enjoyed:

Spending more time with me in the evenings

Seeing B learning more

Meeting up with old friends

Having his first (and last!!) kebab

A lads' night out

I've enjoyed:

Celebrating my Dad's 60th birthday 

Catching up with a variety of old friends

Doing more craft activities with B

The slow cooker meals we prepped in advance with friends

Flourishing friendships

The colours of autumn 

B has enjoyed:

Angelina Ballerina

Wearing big girl pants

Jumping in puddles 

Reading fairy tales 

Winning Pass the Parcel at Granddad's party

M has enjoyed:

Emptying drawers

Porridge 

Drinking out of an open cup

Waving

Playing with daddy early in the morning

This post is part of the Mamatography 2014 Project with Diary of a First Child and Momma Jorje.

We are taking (at least) a photo a day, a collage or a picture each week to keep a record of our year. Join us at any point during the year and start sharing your own daily photos!

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Mamatography 40: Siblings - October

These two are growing closer as they get older. Now that M is crawling - very speedily, I might add! - she will gladly follow B like a faithful puppy. I often catch them looking quite mischievous together, and I dread to think what shenanigans they'll get up to in the future!

B often hugs M, saying, "You're my best sister," which is heart-meltingly beautiful, and she informed me that she and M will be getting married soon. There are hugs aplenty and, as M is particularly fond of kissing now, many kisses too. And so much laughter. They really do amuse each other. M especially is still finding everything B does to be hilarious, and we love listening to them together. I find it a great help that B is able to keep M entertained, as I can get on with some extra jobs. It's great to hear B singing M's favourite songs to her. 

I'm looking forward to hearing their conversations when M can talk.  

This post is part of the Mamatography 2014 Project with Diary of a First Child and Momma Jorje.

We are taking (at least) a photo a day, a collage or a picture each week to keep a record of our year. Join us at any point during the year and start sharing your own daily photos!

Click Get the code here below to add the blog hop to your blog and join the fun. (Also sign up to be added to a comment group!)