Nipple Nurture Balm ¦Review¦ Fairhaven Health

Hi everyone... Hope you are all well and having a lovely day/night. Today I want to tell you about the product I received from Fairhaven Health which I mentioned in a blog and video about a month ago now!! 

So a little bit about the product. The website details state that this heals and protects sore or cracked nipples. It's made from organic products that are safe for you and you baby meaning it doesn't need washing off before a feed. Their are also no animal products in this balm and it's also not tested on animals.

The product retails at $11.95 so it's not overly expensive, but you may be able to find something slightly cheaper perhaps? Converted to UK £ it would retail just under £8.00 so you could certainly probably find something cheaper. So let's see if its worth the money? 

When I first opened the pot it is completely sealed which is always nice, because I hate when you get home with a pot of cream or something to discover someone went and dipped their grubby paws in it already! -- slight germ-o-phobe 

When first seeing the product I thought Oh goodness that's going to be fun, messy and thick to try and even spread on my nipples! However when I rubbed the balm with my finger it turns to an oil! It's so easy and smooth! Which was a huge relief , when breastfeeding my first son I brought a nipple balm that was so thick and hard to rub on the nipple that I had to sit on it for a good 5 minutes to warm the product up so it would liquefy slightly first! When you have sore, cracked nipples the last thing you want is to feel like your scrapping a cream onto them!! 

I used this balm straight away when getting home, my overall opinion on the product is that it's good at "rehydrating" the nipples, but to help heal and sooth them I wouldn't say it was great. As I have previously mentioned the product is very oil like, so it does unfortunately stain clothes, It does come out after washing however it leaves a faint mark. However when using breast pads you can avoid getting any on your nursing bra etc.

Have you used this product what did you think of it? 

Sara xoxo 

Future Nursing Product ¦ REVIEWS ¦ FAIR HAVEN HEALTH

Hey everyone, thought I would share a little extra on my blog this week. I uploaded a video an unboxing video last week on Friday of a package I received from Fairhaven Health  A company that specialises in nursing products and fertility aid for those trying to conceive a baby.

My video I was posted is to give you all my first thoughts on each product. As I wont be able to review the products until the baby is born. At the moment he's over due, check my 40 week blog update . I plan to use all the products as much as possible before reviewing them in depth on my blog here including pictures and with a video for some of them I hope! So going on the guidelines 3-4 weeks use out of most of the products should give me enough of a fair trial to see what I think.

Here's my unboxing video.

The products I received:

Happy Bottom Baby balm, Sitting Pretty soothing spray, Nursing blend breastfeeding supplements and nipple nurture balm. 

(The picture above has been provided by fairhaven health, any other pictures that are my own will have my blog  web address on them.)

Look out for the up coming reviews!! 

I will put out a little disclaimer that I have not been paid or sponsored to share this video or blog with you all. The company contacted me asking me to take a look at what they have to offer for nursing mom's so that I could review a few products for them. All the opinions are my own honest thoughts and have/will not be influenced in anyway. 

40 WEEK PREGNANCY ¦ UPDATE ¦

Hi guys and welcome back... Well we haven't gone into labour yet, however I haven't had the time to film my update from our appointment this Monday. Honestly I don't seem to have the energy at the moment to do a lot at all. But I at least wanted to be able to update you guys on what has happened. Hopefully when he comes I will be filming a Labour and Delivery Story for you all which I will include a brief 40 week appointment update to refresh myself and you guys!! But for now I'll tell you what I can here!!

While writing this update I'm now 40 Weeks and 4 days overdue! Quite uncomfortable now as at our last appointment he was showing as fully engaged! My hips are agony at night time to move over into any other direction and of course my bladder is the size of a ping pong ball.

I'm not someone who likes to be "moany" or anything but I guess this is reality of going overdue with a pregnancy. It's rather new to me even though I have been pregnant before, I never went over with my first son!! It's a little upsetting that my body isn't naturally starting labour at the moment and really frustrating! My hormones are all over the place too ... Up and down constantly!! Think this is the most hormonal I have been throughout my whole pregnancy, more so because I want to meet this little man so bad!!

My appointment went well like I mentioned he is fully engaged, and we had a membrane sweep done on Monday, But I don't think it's done anything at all.

What's a membrane Sweep?? This can also be known as a cervix sweep. offered to women who are overdue to try and induce labour in a more natural method. It involves an internal examination where your midwife or doctor will "sweep" their finger around your cervix. This is to try and separate the membranes from the amniotic sac. Doing this helps the body release a hormone called prostaglandins which may kick start your labour. The experience shouldn't be painful but this can differ from person to person. You can get spotting afterwords.

I didn't find my sweep painful or too uncomfortable really, but everyone is different and have different levels of pain tolerance etc. Some can also be down to how relaxed you are during the procedure. My midwife was lovely and just said if I needed her to stop then just to say!! I unfortunately didn't have a great membrane sweep, Helen the midwife said in terms of sweeps it wasn't great as I haven't lost any of my "mucus plug" yet so it was still at least 2cm thick!! Not what I wanted to hear, but she gave it a good old go!

So now I have got another appointment on Saturday for another sweep and then we have a date for our induction to be on Tuesday the 21st which I'm kind of hoping we wont need as it will mean going to a bigger hospital for consultant based care. Rather than the small cottage hospital I had my first son at which is all midwife led care.

So fingers are crossed he'll start making movements soon. How is your pregnancy going? Have you gone overdue, if so how long did you go over by? Share your story below!

Love Sara xoxo

37-39 WEEK PREGNANCY UPDATE ¦MOMMY MONDAY¦

Hi guys I'm so sorry I forgot to put this post up with my last pregnancy vlog update.... and speaking of last, I was very hopefully that this would be my last pregnancy update as I felt sure with all these silly false alarms that we wouldn't be going over due with this baby. Especially seen as I hadn't gone over with Tyler, my first son. Click here for his labour and delivery story. But I don't think he is going to come early I think he's far to comfortable where he is at the moment!

Here's my last vlog for you guys to watch rather than me write it all down on here, for you to hear again if you watch the update too!!

I have my 40 week pregnancy midwife appointment on Monday the 13th October. If I haven't had the baby before then I shall hopefully film and upload what I hope would definitely be my last pregnancy update for you next week! If I don't make my appointment you may not see me for a little while, However I do hope to film another labour and delivery story for you guys and of course a meet my baby video for you all!!

Take care. Love Sara xoxo

36 Week Pregnancy Update ¦Baby Number 2¦ Mommy Monday

Hi guys welcome back to another mommy Monday which means another pregnancy update! So I turned 36 weeks on Saturday but I had my midwife appointment on Friday as my midwife is on holiday this week however she wanted to make sure she saw me after our little false alarm!

Babies movements: Baby is still really active, always moving around and he seems to be getting even more active all the time. Especially in the day time, and at bed time.

Braxton Hicks: These are still very regular since I updated you with the false alarm, I had let you know that the braxton hicks or practice contractions I was having were very regular on the monitor I was hooked up too. So due to this my midwife has said I am to rest lots and less walking for at least the next week until we get to 37+ weeks due to this been considered safe to deliver the baby. It would also mean being able to delivery the baby at our local cottage hospital rather than having an emergency birth at the larger consultant led hospital.

Wedding/Engagement Ring: Has been off for quite a while now, my fingers tend to swell up throughout the day. Sometimes they don't sometimes they do, just one of those things. So I'd rather not take the risk of getting one stuck!!

Hospital Bags: Are all packed and ready to go, so make sure you look out for those videos coming to my youtube channel soon! I actually really enjoyed packing mine and the babies bags. Although i have repacked them so many times already now!! Am I alone here?

Lightening crotch!: If you don't know what this is, or you haven't heard the expression before. It's like a sharp sudden pain/twinge down there which I believe happens due to the baby dropping or hitting a nerve.

I will be posting an extra video this Wednesday for you guys this week too, as I want to make sure I get my Hospital bag videos up before the baby is born and also a small baby haul I got, along with my first impressions on my new nappy bag!


Lady Sara Miller xoxo

FALSE ALARM ¦ 35 WEEK PREGNANCY UPDATE ¦

Monday was quite an eventful day for us this week! As this baby boy decided it would be fun to have us thinking labour was about to start!! 

It all started on the Sunday evening when I had some pains in my hips, it felt like they were opening up and widening in preparation for delivery! I didn't pay too much attention as I just assumed the baby must have been dropping quite quickly. Along with that it gave me some back problems through out the week and a lot of lightening crotch! 

I called my midwife on the Monday as I had a very small amount of spotting when I woke up. So she advised I head to the bigger hospital an hour away as the hospital I'm due to go to for the birth is only a small cottage hospital so their are no consultants etc their for emergency care! 

When we got the hospital we had a bit of a wait but we finally got seen and I had to sit on a monitor for almost an hour due to how much he was wriggling!! Which was quite reassuring really, however after a while of been stuck on a monitor I kinda wanted him to just sit still for at least half hour so I could come off the machine.

After finally been able to come off the machine, with him wriggling and moving around a little less. We learnt he had turned around making him back to back!! But he was very low. So I now knew why my back had been so bad! Then the midwife asked if I had been noticing the tightening's I had been having while on the montior, I jokingly answered with a yes that I've felt them, they weren't painful but they were feeling rather regular. 

Thankfully after an internal examination it turned out that I hadn't started to have a show and my waters weren't starting to go either. That was quite a relief. I got discharged and told I was to call back if the regular tightening's became painful or more intense. 

So we had scheduled another midwife appointment this Friday which was yesterday. That update will be up next week for you all! So look out for that and some more information on how this little man is doing!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

LABOUR & DELIVERY STORY ¦MY FIRST SON¦ MOMMY MONDAY

Hi guys, so I have decided to share with you all the labour and delivery story of my first son Tyler, I am hoping to share my experience with my second son so it only seemed right to share with you what happened during my first childbirth experience!! I hope you enjoy and share your stories too.

Love Sara xoxo

32-33 WEEK PREGNANCY UPDATE ¦BABY NUMBER 2¦

Hi guys another update, however this one is more about my new midwife care and Tyler also decides to say hi!

We have now moved so my midwife is the same midwife I had when I was pregnant with my first son Tyler. I am so much happier already with my maternity care now, it's so much more personal and one to one. The maternity care I was receiving before we moved made me feel like I was just a number and statistic rather than a second time mom to be. It was very daunting moving somewhere new and then the care your providing not to be the standards you have had previously. I had seen about 4 different midwives and not even met my "nominated" midwife. I didn't even know who I could call or what hospital if I had an emergency I had just decided I would probably call 999 rather 3 different hospitals. Anyway no point dwelling on that now, I am much much happier already and super excited to start planning my birth out as I'm now almost 35 weeks!!

Here is my vlog anyway with my pregnancy update for you guys! I hope you enjoy and keep an eye out for the next one!

30/31 Week Pregnancy Update ¦ Baby Number 2 ¦ MOMMY MONDAY

Well guys here's another update for you!! Where do the weeks keep doing? I can't believe we are already half way through the month of August!?

Quick update on the moving situations and going under a new midwife. The good news is that I will be having the same midwife as I had when pregnant with my first son Tyler, so I am over the moon with that news. Second news is that I will be having a booking / my 33 week check up this coming Friday. So I will hopefully have a pregnancy Vlog update for you again sooner than normal so I can keep you all up to date with what is going on! As I won't want to forget anything that I am told, although It may have to be a brief video due to that Friday also be moving day!! Aghh crazy!

So on with other updates for you!

Babies movements: Considering by now this little Mr should be running out of space in their, he seems more active than ever! He is mainly active in the afternoon around lunch time and then again from around 8 o clock going on to 10-11 o clock in the evenings. He just wriggles, kicks, moves, punches everywhere!! Feeling like he's doing somersaults, quite literally.

Wedding/Engagement rings: Still back on. I don't really wear it at all in the night any more due to slight swelling if I get a bit too warm. But other than that with this wonderful ... yes you heard me wonderful, delightful cooler autumn weather starting to take over the last of the summer I have had less episodes of swelling fingers, ankles and the rest!!

NEW Braxton Hicks: Since filming I have noticed that I am getting quite a few Braxton Hicks - Also known as practice contractions. Your bodies way of preparing you for the labour. They are not uncomfortable or painful. They are quite "intense" for practices, which I will be mentioning to my midwife, as with Tyler I'm sure they weren't quite as strong as they can be at the moment.

That's that then I guess, as I mentioned at the beginning I will be having a midwife appointment this coming Friday so I will be sure to try give you another update next week, providing I get the chance to film due to moving that Friday as well! Enjoy my Pregnancy Vlog.


Sara xoxo

28 - 30 Week Pregnancy Update ¦Baby Number 2¦

Hey everyone welcome back!! Hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for the new week that's already begun!! I can't believe I'm now 31 weeks -- always a week behind with blog/vlog updates. -- This pregnancy just seems to be flying by! 9 weeks till we meet our second precious little boy!

In this weeks vlog I talk a lot about my recent appointments, as I have had to have routine bloods done and I also had to have the GTT which stands for Glucose Tolerance Test done. This is a test carried out to check for diabetes in pregnancy. Some of you will be wondering why on earth is she getting checked? As most people associate diabetes with obesity - Where I find that completely not to be true and quite a horrible assumption that people make. I however have to have the test due to family history. 

Babies Movements: Lots! My partner even felt his foot for the first time as the baby kicked into my ribs! He also pushes his feet against my left side, when doing it he pushes himself which makes his back and bum stick out!! As if he's stretching his legs, it's quite strange when he does it! 

Wedding/Engagement Ring: Back on!! Thank goodness. Due to all the hot weather I had resorted to not wearing my engagement ring. Then came the wonderful cooler weather! 

I think this is all I have to update you on really, my next maternity appointment is at the 34 week point, but I hope to give you guys another update before that. Although due to us moving again I could end up with a appointment even sooner, in case they need to check everything and book me in properly?! I'm not 100% sure. 

How is your pregnancy going? Comment below :) 

  

Sweets & Treats ¦ Quick & Easy ¦ Toddler/Kid Snacks

Hey everyone! Hope your all enjoying the sunshine -- for me the heat is a bit too much but the sunshine is certainly doing my laundry basket the world of good! Tell me I'm not alone here mama's and papa's?

So we had a little experiment a few weekends ago now and made a nice yummy treat for Tyler rather than being out in the sun we opted for mess in the kitchen!

So we had ago at making these amazing little treats that took 10 minutes, and a little ... whole lot of mess! But hey whats the fun in not making a mess in the kitchen with your toddler?

All you need to create these fun bite size snacks, is some melting chocolate, decorations of your choice. We chose to use some dinosaur ones we found in Morrisons - Tyler loves dinosaurs and then just a packet of marshmellows and some cocktail sticks. We used an apple to pop them into however it wasn't the most stable thing to use! So I guess theirs were more creative thinking comes into play!

Simply melt the chocolate, dip your marshmellow into the melted chocolate and then let your toddler go wild with the sprinkles!! And of course be prepared for lots to be eaten in the process! 

I hope you enjoyed this blog post everyone, something I hope to do a bit more of on this blog along with other cooking videos or blog posts in the future! :) Comment below with any ideas! 

25 - 28 Week Pregnancy Update ¦ VLOG ¦ Baby Number 2

hey everyone sorry this ones late. More computer problems. Today's blog is going to be a little different as I shall just be uploading my youtube vlog update for you guys. As it was a little while ago that I should have been posting this update!!

In the video you can hear all about my appointment with the midwife and how big the bump is measuring! So make sure you watch it!!

I will have my 28 to 30 week pregnancy update either Friday or Monday of next week so keep your eyes peeled for even more talking about appointments, and blood tests!

Thanks so much guys for your continued support with my blog and youtube videos! 

Sara xoxo

25 - 27 Pregnancy Update ¦ Baby Number 2 ¦

Hello and welcome to my 25 to 27 week pregnancy update! I haven't had a huge amount going on really so I wanted to wait to give you an update until I had my appointment with my midwife. The appointment was my 28 week check however I was about 27 weeks and 5 days so we'll just still to a 27 week update. I will however be posting again next week as I will be going for a GTT - Glucose Tolerance Test to check for diabetes and also to receive an Anti D vaccine. All of which I shall explain more next week! So keep your eyes peeled for it! 

Here is a picture I got of Tyler resting and "posing" on the bump at around 26 weeks 

And here is my bump at 27 weeks. Getting fairly low now already.

How Far Along: 25-27 weeks. Now 28 weeks

Babies Movements: Are plentiful! He is extremely active day and night!! From the moment I wake up, then again during my afternoon sit down while till sleeps. Then in the evening we have lots of movements. He especially doesn't like me lying on my right side! Which in a way is good because I believe your supposed to lie on your left to get the baby in the correct position for birth. 

Wedding/Engagement Ring on or off? Off again at the moment due to the sudden heat wave we have had here in the UK... which I think I am not alone when I speak for pregnant women here....... bring on the colder cooler weather!! This heat leaves me horrible uncomfortable, irritable and unable to sleep! Even Tyler our 2 year old was up every other hour the other night due to be so hot!!

Maternity Appointment 28 Week Check: As I stated before I have now been for my 28 week check, slightly early but whats a few days!! My blood pressure was all fine and good. I will be having my bloods checked next week for routine bloods along with an anti D shot and then more bloods the same day for a glucose tolerance test! - all fun and games! -- no body tells you when you get pregnant that people are going to use you as a pin cushion!! 

The baby bump is measuring 27cm ... which is measuring not far from the "baby could be big" line but the midwife is happy enough that it's sitting close enough to the target weight for the baby and my BMI chart! We actually looked at the measurements etc I have written for Tyler and they are measuring so far around the same size!! Tyler did also begin to measure over average for my size! So we shall have to see what this little guy decides to do. Lucky for me Tyler was just long rather than big and heavy! So fingers crossed this little man has the same planned! 

Anything else to add: HEARTBURN ..... need I really say more?? It has come back once again just as bad from my early pregnancy however Rennies are now my best friend! I have them in my handbag, next to the kettle, in my bedside draws! Everywhere! 

I have also brought a back support and have tried wearing it, I think it does add a little relief from the back ache, not sure its going to make a massive difference to my back ache long term though through out the pregnancy that we shall just have to see. If you would like to see a review on the belt please comment below and I'd be happy to do so! 

Thanks for reading guys! Have any comments or stories to share from your pregnancy so far or know someone that's expecting? Comment below! 

24 Week Pregnancy Update ¦ Baby Number 2 ¦

Another week another update, and the quicker they seem to be passing! I can't believe we are six months pregnant already! October will soon be knocking on the door.

How far along: 24 weeks

Babies movements: Still feeling lots of wriggling, and I think a little bit of moving around in their while he still has room. Tyler still hasn't felt the baby move but he loves coming to kiss and rub the bump and talk to his future baby brother, telling him hiya and "roaring" to him!!

In or Out Belly Button: It's fair to say my belly button is still trying to make an appearance!

Baby Names: Still no definite on a baby name! We have a few in mind but still haven't found the one! and we still probably wont choose until we see the baby to be 100% the name fits his personality.

Wedding/Engagement Ring On or Off: Engagement ring is still on, now that the heat has calmed down a little my fingers seem to have gone back to their usual size!! Thankfully as I really would like to wear my ring as long as possible! With Tyler I did quite well up till around a month before my due date.

Anything extra? Well this week we have re discovered my love for raspberries with Tyler I could eat a whole punnet in a matter of minutes and that appears to be the case again, they just taste so amazing again! Cravings hey! Heart burn has come back with a vengeance, so that hasn't been fun however I found a fix for that, Rennies I brought the orange flavored ones and they are amazing, and really fast acting which is a massive relief! My back has been giving me some serious problems again so I'm looking into a back strap that I can buy to help take some of the pressure off my spine. Which is a little frustrating as I am quite limited to what I can do myself these days as I just make it worse! But I am learning to be less stubborn and listen to my body! -- not easy for someone who likes to do most things them self and not need to rely on my partner.

Thanks for reading guys! If you have any advice on back supports please comment below!

23 Week Pregnancy Update ¦ Baby Number2 ¦

Sorry this blog post is so late, I am having so rather irritating laptop issues. Technology and myself just don't get on at the best of times, let alone when I want something to be editing videos a few times a week and uploading pictures for blogs, editing those and then writing blogs on it!! So I decided to switch it off and leave it for a few days and perhaps it just needs a little "computer vacation period" .... wishful thinking I know

How ever I have managed to hijack my partners laptop for the evening so let blog writing commence!!

I apologize for not writing a 22 week pregnancy update... I did explain in my video update... which unfortunately hasn't been able to be uploaded - but will be even if late! as I was saying I did explain that I haven't really had a huge amount to discuss with you guys, so rather than bore you with a whole lot of nothing exciting I thought I'd wait and see what week 23 would have for us!

How far along: 23 Weeks -- however writing this I am 24 weeks and 5 days.

Babies Movements: As I said in my last blog post movements are really regular, and seem to be getting more so. The baby woke me up for the first time in the night mid week and is certainly pressing on my bladder a lot!! oh the joys toilets breaks every 5 minutes it is then! In relation to seeing the movement of the baby, you can definitely see him now, but still not quite visible enough for Tyler to notice. Although he certainly becoming more and more aware of mommies ever growing stomach!

In or Out? Belly Button: Definitely out.

Baby Names: So I thought we had our minds set on a name, and then we started looking at ideas and playing around with different names, first and second and now we are totally unsure again!! But then their is plenty of time to be worrying about what to name the baby! So we will keep on playing around with a few options.

Wedding/Engagement Rings ... on or off? Time to add in another new questions, or regular update I can see happening soon. With all the heat we have had recently, I noticed my fingers swelling so sadly my engagement ring had to take a break in my jewelry box, and as much as I hate seeing my finger without a ring after wearing it for so long -- its almost like my hand feels naked and exposed! I would rather not wear it than end up getting stuck on my finger and having it cut off!!!!!!! With Tyler towards the last month or so I definitely had to leave them off, it is however back on my finger with the cooling heat, So we may try get a cheaper ring to wear for the last few months.

Anything else to add? This time round I am sure my breasts have increased in size more so than with Tyler, They are just ridiculous!! I need more new maternity bras. I have a feeling this is a result of my breasts knowing this time what they are preparing for! As I did for a short period breast feed Tyler - Click here for my story. I'll be doing a more updated version of my breast feeding experience soon.

How is pregnancy treating you? Any questions to ask your fellow moms to be then comment below :)

21 Week Pregnancy Update ¦ Baby Number2 ¦ Gender Reveal!!

We have finally had our 20 week scan, and are excited to tell you all that we know the gender of our baby!!! So you will have to keep reading to find out whether Tyler will be getting a baby sister or a baby brother.... If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter then you will already know what we are having, but if not then keep reading or watch my YouTube video update here.

How far along: 21 weeks and 6 days writing this blog, however it's posted on Monday so I will be 22 weeks and 2 days by then!

Has your partner felt the baby move? Yes, and now we have actually just started to be able to notice the bump move and see the baby actually move as well as feeling it!! So we can't wait for the kicks to get stronger for Tyler to see them.

Babies movements: Lots, still got a regular pattern to when the baby is awake and asleep.

Belly Button In or Out? I definitely think my belly button will be popping out very soon!!

Gender.... We have found out Tyler will be having a BABY BROTHER! We couldn't be any more excited about Tyler having a little brother to look after!

Baby names? We have a name in mind however won't be naming the baby till he is here as I think you need to see your baby and look at how their personality before naming.

Anything extra? Overall I am beginning to feel much more like myself, other than my bump getting in the way of a few things, I am resting when Tyler naps which has helped massively in how I am feeling. I don't feel as tired or exhausted. We can finally decorate the babies room, and get his nursery ready! So that's exciting too. Feels so much better now we know as we can really start to prepare. With Tyler we started buying things as soon as we pasted 3 months as we weren't going to find out. But with finding out this time, it felt like we had to wait before doing anything!

How is your pregnancy going? Have you found out what your having? Comment below!

Lady Sara

xoxo

20 Week Pregnancy Update ¦ Baby Number2 ¦

Half way! Oh my goodness, where has the time gone? 4 months and we will be meeting the new arrival, Tyler's going to be a big brother, and he's going to have a baby brother or sister... which brings a whole new level of excitement to our pregnancy this time. When pregnant with Tyler the excitement of not knowing, was different to the excitement we are feeling for finding out this time.

So on with the update after my ramble of our excitement!

How far along: While writing this i'm 21 weeks and 3 days. However this is my 20 week blog so lets get into how I found 20 weeks was. This picture was taken at 21 weeks and 4 days.

Stretch Marks: Still not yet, my old ones are a little noticeable, but like I mentioned in my last pregnancy update  I'm a little over worrying about stretch marks they happen, their isn't a lot you can do about it, and given time they fade away.

Has your partner felt the baby move: Yes, I've left the details for my best moment this week.

Babies movements: Yes, lots. I think this baby may be a early riser.

Belly Button ... In or Out? I think my belly button may already be starting to pop out! It did with Tyler so I'm kind of expecting it.

Best moment of the week: Richard has finally felt the baby!! This had me so excited, his face, his smile, the moment shared together when you can both feel your child moving is amazing. I had a nap on Sunday and Richard came put his hand on the bump, when he did the baby kicked and it just felt like the baby was saying hi dad!

Cravings: Not really anything new, so unless I have a new craving that takes over my life then I doubt I'll be mentioning this question again.

Anything to add? Well as you can tell this week has been A LOT better than last week! Where I felt rough and just tired and very fatigued, this week my energy has been better and I have been taking the time to rest more. Which for me I have created a bit of a routine, around half 12 I prep myself some lunch and then take Tyler up to bed at 1pm for his nap, then I get some lunch and a snack make a brew and head up to bed to put my feet up and rest! If I sit down stairs I get too tempted to tidy up and anything else that may pop into my mind that I could do, I have to say I have found resting a life saver. I'll be calling for my blood results soon to see if I am anemic as well.

I look forward to sharing week 21 with you and our scan update!!!!!! Aghh So Excited!!! Boy or Girl you'll have to wait to find out!!

19 Weeks Pregnancy Update ¦ Baby Number2 ¦

Welcome back to baby bump update for my 19th week pregnant. I am getting ever more excited that in just under 2 weeks we will be finding out what this little bundle that kicks me in the night is. We didn't find out with Tyler as I mentioned in my last video, which was just as exciting. But this time around the prospect of knowing brings a new level of excitement for the bundle of joy that you carry.

So how has week 19 been for me...

How far along: As stated above this is the 19 week update so I'm now 20 weeks while writing this blog. As I prefer to do my blogs slightly behind so I can give you my whole thoughts on the previous week of pregnancy and how I have felt.

Maternity Clothes: This will be the last time I answer this question in my blogs, because for myself maternity clothes are a definite! I do fit a few of my old baggy or stretchy tops, but bottoms are the same as last week ... definitely maternity!

Stretch marks: As of yet, no new ones. Nearly everyone gets stretch marks during pregnancy, whether it be at the start, middle or end. And believe it of not, people even get them when not pregnant, so I'm over the hype of "oh no a stretch mark!!!"  lets face it their just another one of those little imperfections that crop up. Its not the end of the world!

Best moment of the week: Hearing the babies heart beat again. I wasn't meant to have any more appointments until 28 weeks, however I had been rather unwell, and tired all week so the midwife suggested I pop in for bloods and a check up. As when pregnant with Tyler I did become anemic. Hearing the heart beat was so funny as my appointment was around the time the baby is normally at it's most active in the day. So every time we heard it for a few seconds the baby would kick the monitor, had all of us including the midwife chuckling.

Cravings: My mom so kindly the other day, mentioned to me on skype that she going to go have a nice brew and some homemade Jam Roly Poly, with fresh cream ...... My jaw dropped! Not only is my moms homemade jam roly poly the best I have ever had! But the words fresh cream .... Craving alert!
So thanks mom ... shall be waiting for the delivery of jam roly poly any day!

Babies movements: Definitely getting stronger! They are also very regular now, they tend to be when I wake up, lunch time and then all evening.

Has your partner felt the baby move? Sadly still not yet but I'm sure he will in time.

Anything extra to add: Like I said early in the blog, I have had a pretty rough week, heart burn to no end, restless legs have now joined the party along with dizziness and extreme fatigue. Hoping the bloods I had done will have some answers... Plus the fact I have to remind myself this isn't my first pregnancy and I now have a toddler who wants to run around, play and needs my attention too. So I think that added in has left me a little low on energy ... along with my stubborn side that doesn't like sitting down all day doing nothing!! But I will begin to listen to my partner and try to resist cutting the lawns and doing a mad spring clean each week!!

Hope you enjoyed this update guys, comment below letting me know how your getting on with your pregnancy or if you have any questions and be sure to look out for my vlog update on youtube!

18 Weeks Pregnancy Update ¦ Baby No2 ¦

Welcome back to my second pregnancy update, with baby number two. Some of the questions for this blog will come with basic answers if they are the same as my 16 week update and I may add new questions as the weeks go on, just to keep things interesting! 

How far along? I am 18 weeks this Saturday (10th May) So hopefully fingers crossed this blog is posted no later than Sunday! 

Maternity Clothes? Definitely, from now on forth this question is going to be a simple yes I think, I'm hoping their may be some none maternity close I will be able to still fit and buy but leggings, jeans etc are all definitely maternity. 

Stretch Marks? Luckily at the moment I think I still only have my old ones, my partner was the best and got me some oils to start using. I was using a cream by mum & me which I will be reviewing soon along with the Nspa mum to be nourishing stretch mark cream. I'm hoping I can keep them at bay.

Sleep or No sleep? I did go through a bit of a faze last week, of sitting up till twelve am, I'm not sure why, I just didn't seem to be feeling tired, or like my brain could shut off. I am still managing to only get up once a night, although I fear very soon that will increase to twice a night!! As they say its your bodies way of preparing for the new arrival. 

Best moments of the week? Well my energy is still at an all time high! Which is making me feel great all the time. Along with Tyler almost going 2 weeks accident free at bed time, couldn't be any more proud of how quickly he has learnt how to use the potty in the night. With the night time potty training has come Tyler wanting to use the big toilet in the day time, So we have brought a toilet training seat, and hes had me going up and down stairs all day long to use it!! at least that's one way to keep fit during pregnancy

Missing anything I can't have? I can't say I am really. Nothing really strikes me that I feel I need, other than a dippy egg! 

Cravings? A few new cravings this week, I am still feeling weak at the knees over chocolate, however I have managed to swap those cravings for sugar, for strawberries! Oh eggs, I am really loving eggs, scrambled, hard boiled, fried or an omelette. 

Babies movements? I can definitely confirm that it is the baby I have felt moving, the kicks are getting stronger every night. I normally feel the baby, straight away in the morning, around lunch time and when I'm sat with my partner in the evenings along with when we go to bed. 

Has your partner felt the baby? Not yet. 

Anything extra to add? I have been suffering heart burn and indigestion from the very start basically and it has been playing up since Wednesday again, and not just in the evenings but all day long! It actually made me feel quite sick the other day, which wasn't pleasant as Tyler kept wanting to use the big toilet, I didn't want to stop him as he had started asking, it wasn't something we had to prompt, but the joy on his face from using the big boy toilet was enough to make not sitting under a duvet on the sofa more than worth it! 

Remember to watch my 18 week pregnancy vlog update on youtube, for a belly shot. 

Potty Training Tyler ¦ Day Time ¦

Happy Thursday to you all, it's nearly the weekend.. woohoo although unlike a 9-5 job parenting is 24/7 seven days a week, three hundred and sixty five days a year.... So I guess, or at least to me weekends have become time where my mobile doesn't get a lot of attention the laptops are left off and we have family time!

So what do I have for this weeks mommy blog? Well if you haven't read the title, It is of course potty training your toddler!

My little boy is now 2 and a half years old, and it has taken us 6 months - or their about. To potty train Tyler. 

Apparently potty training girls is meant to be easier and can happen sooner and from what a lot of health visitors have told us Tyler has done extremely well starting so young as most boys don't start until they are closer to 3. So we have happily given ourselves a well earned pat on the back! 

I have done a video which I will put at the bottom of this blog, but here is a bit more information about how we tackled the nappy to pants dilemma. 

We had started by keeping Tyler in his nappy but every 2 hours or so we would take it off and sit him on the potty asking if he needed a "do do" or "wee wee" once he had done a wee a couple of times we decided to try the, Huggies pull ups. Which are meant to "tell your child" when it's time to go to the potty with an indicator that tells them they are wet. However we found these completely useless. Tyler just wee'd in them, then pulled them off. Because the nappies don't allow your toddler to feel that horrible wet/damp feeling they learn to associate with "an accident" they can't understand the nappy is full or its time to go. 

So we got rid of those completely ... and instead took a leap and decided it was time... yes you know whats coming.. it's time for your toddler to run around as naked as the day they were born, in their birthday suit to be as free as they always want! -- lets face it, toddlers hate wearing clothes! Tyler won't even keep socks on in the house these days! On the plus side it means all that washing - that is never yours gets put on hold. 

Getting naked, those first few days or even week will be a lot of oops and accidents along with wet patches all over the carpet... so warning get some slippers and have plenty of towels ready to soak up the wet patches with some anti bacterial cleaner! The main part about no nappies is to watch your child, sit with them, watch for signs. Tyler normally squats, holds himself, fiddles or hides behind something so I don't see him. It's time to be like a hawk with eagle eyes and watch watch watch!

With plenty of praise and rushing your toddler to the potty .. which I suggest be kept close by at all times.. your little one will slowly but surely start to realize, where they should be going to the toilet. 

Once they have started to go regularly, it's maybe time to go out and buy them some pants make sure they come with you and pick what they like make it fun, and like a treat. The get them home and get started. Show them how to pull them off and back up and remind your toddler they are pants not a nappy and if they need to go wee wee they use they potty. 

Once you've got them going is just a case of not giving up and carrying on, no matter how long it takes!

I hope this has helped in some way, let me know your potty training tips and tricks in the comments and don't forget to look out for my night time potty training soon! 

16 Weeks Pregnant ¦ Baby number 2 ¦

Due to this being my first pregnancy update blog, I will try and involve a brief insight on the first trimester of the pregnancy where I can. We didn't announce the pregnancy till we had a dating scan at 13 weeks and 2 days. However we had some complications at the start which lead to us having an earlier scan dating us at 6 weeks, however not knowing the outcome we ended up leaving it until we knew everything was OK. Without any further ado here are my answers to the following questions..

Heres a picture of my son kissing the baby bump. Made my heart melt! 

How far along? 16 weeks 5 days

Maternity Clothes? Yes - some things, mainly leggings, I have managed to just buy anything in a size up at the moment though

Stretch Marks? Not any new ones, I have stretch marks from my previous pregnancy with Tyler, which when I got them it was so close to the end of my pregnancy, but he seemed to drop so quickly no amount of cream was going to help!! But whats a few stretch marks to experience the joy of carrying your baby?

Sleep or no sleep? Sleeping quite well, apart from waking up at least once a night to have a pee!!! -- forgot about the joys of a child pushing against your bladder.

Best moment of the week? Tyler learnt to say daddy, nanny and mommy he normally just says dada nana and moma. He also said night night for the first time we have been waiting MONTHS for him to say night night!! Other than that getting my energy back has been the best part, for the first few months my energy has been a complete zero!

Missing anything that you can't have? This happened with pregnancy number 1 but once again I am missing the joy of a dippy egg and soldiers!! Don't ask me why. being pregnant all egg has to be totally cooked, which inevitably means no runny yolk!

Have you felt the baby move? I'm not 100% sure I think I have, the sensations I keep getting seems the same as when I was pregnant but waiting for that moment is probably also making me notice every twitch that my muscles or stomach may make... so we shall have to wait and see!

Cravings? LOTS ... At the start I was all about sugar! With Tyler I couldn't even look at a chocolate... and now all I want to do is sit guzzling a whole Easter egg to myself! I am however being really good and allowing myself some mainly in the evening with a cup of tea and restricting how much I have because of the caffeine in chocolate. My other guilty pleasure is pop, again its sugar but I don't normally ever drink pop and if I do it's not even half a glass however at the moment that is another I just feel I want all the time, so again with the chocolate cravings I am trying my hardest to moderate the two! On a healthy note eggs and grapes seem to be a massive over indulgence too.

Sickness? Not anymore! For the first 2 months solid, I felt sick nearly all the time all day long again why its called morning sickness I'll never know. Luckily for me no actually vomiting but I did feel very unwell most days again for the whole day having to graze throughout the day rather than 3 meals.

We had our 16 week check with the midwife today.


Hope you enjoyed the blog post guys! Look out for next weeks! Don't forget to check out my youtube channel for the 16 week vlog for a better belly shot.