31....

28 weeks, 4 days preg

This marks my first post as a 31 year old... Yesterday was my birthday and whilst it probably was one of the most chilled out, it was also absolutely perfect. Started my day with sleeping in, something I haven't done since last year's birthday which was a totally difference experience considering the massive hangover I was suffering from! Managed to last until 9.30 but felt a tiny bit guilty, enjoyed pancakes and bacon with my boys (made by me, still working on teaching Mark how to "cook") and relaxed most of the day.

Had the most amazing dinner at Chapter 1, a local Michelin star restaurant-literally the best meal I have had in ages although it would have been slightly better if I could have had two glasses of wine instead of one...

Came home to find out that Calum cried for me the ENTIRE time we were gone and even shut himself in our bedroom to cry which made my heart break a little. Seems like over the last week or two he's been especially clingy, which is pretty bad timing considering he is about 35 lbs and it kills me to pick him up and carry him anywhere. No idea how he's going to cope when I'm in the hospital, much less when the babies come home but for now just going to keep on giving him lots of love and cuddles and hope it gets better soon....

Feeling pretty lucky starting this year out, and hope as many of you said, that my wishes come true x

Just the 3 of us....

As I mentioned in my last post, Mark and I are making a real effort to spend some quality time enjoying the summer with Calum before the twins come and we will undoubtedly find it more difficult to get out of the house or spend long periods of time away when we do.

We started swimming lessons with Calum a few weeks ago which have been a nightmare, whilst he loves the water he hates being told what to do.... The teacher actually said she had never seen such a head strong child before! Tell me about it! Kind of embarrassing/stressful when your kid is having a massive tantrum(read-hitting you, screaming at top of lungs, refusing to give up the toys that have been thrown in the pool to play with) in the pool in front of all of the other parents who are in the stands watching the lessons take place (parents are in the pool for C's class but another class for slightly older kids takes place at the same time). We've got a couple more to go in the term so we will see how it goes, tomorrow I take him on my own since Mark is away so wish me luck!

Last weekend we took Calum to a local farm about 10 minutes away called the Christmas Tree Farm. It's pretty perfect for his age, not too big and the animals are well behaved-you can buy food to feed them which of course Calum gets a big kick out of giving to the animals, especially the big cows whose tongues barely fit in the buckets! We went out for a lovely lunch afterwards and it was pretty much my perfect day-definitely something I can't imagine doing pushing a double stroller all along the way although guess we will have to get used to it!

Otherwise we're going to be taking Calum to see his favourite show (In the Night Garden) live Aug 20th (if babies haven't come yet), have already bought tickets to Calum's nursery outing to pantomime (an English Christmas tradition, it's a play which is sort of overly exaggerated and directed at kids) and even managed to score Olympic tickets for next summer's London games-Calum will be coming with us to not one, but two Olympic basketball events (let's hope we get to see team USA!!).

In addition to our night nanny I've also managed to find a babysitter-a retired baby nurse who lives nearby, who we are going to have once or twice a month to allow us to leave the twins and spend quality time with Calum as well as to allow for at least one day/eve a month for Mark and I as I've read that parents of twins (and parents in general for that matter!) often neglect their relationship more and spend more time one on one with the children rather then each other. Mark's family have all been amazing in offering to help and we're lucky to have them all so close by however I have a feeling we will be needing even more help then they can offer and look forward to having someone independent who I won't feel guilty about asking to babysit....

Anyway, that's us-Mark is in Marbella, Spain this weekend for his best friend George's bachelor party. George is getting married in Cyprus on Sept. 4th so whilst Mark is one of the groomsmen, it doesn't look like he will be able to make it with the babies on the way (I'm predicting delivery by Aug. 30th!). That leaves Calum and I home to get things done, the babies' nursery is looking neglected although lovely now that it's been painted so now I get to do the fun stuff and start dressing it! Also going through boxes of Calum's old baby clothes to see what can be used a 2nd time around-perfect for a rainy weekend which it looks like it's going to be. x

PS-Still having serious layout issues with Blogger-anyone have any suggestions on how to move the pics around?

Abi's Sprinkle

Calum, loving every second of having 9 other kids his age over to play

My attempt at desert, to include Abi's favourite Funfetti Betty Crocker cupcakes courtesy of Amazon.com
Mags helping Abi open her gifts

Maggie, Abi's daughter

Lola, Abi's friend Chloe's little girl

Gorgeous little Lara


Abi (36 weeks) and I (26 weeks)

Abi's friend Laura (also preg and due about the same time as me) with her son, Harry

Two years ago I was a new "Mum" struggling to figure it all out and in desperate need of support and company after finding being at home all day with a new baby wasn't quite what I thought it would be. Our local clinic was organising a post-natal Mums group and on the first day I encountered an equally frazzled new Mum outside the clinic asking if we were in the right place. Over the next few weeks Abi entertained us other Mums with her funny stories and when the group was cancelled due to lack of funding, I was determined we would all keep in touch as I desperately needed the weekly get togethers with these women to keep me sane and secretly also wanted to spend more time with Abi as she always brought a much needed laugh to what were some fairly tough days.

Since then Abi and I have shared countless laughs, the ups and downs of raising two toddlers with big personalities (who just so happen to love each other) and now the joys of being pregnant at the same time. When Abi sent me the photo of her positive pregnancy test I was so in shock that it took awhile to register, I then had goosebumps as I knew how much she wanted a little brother or sister for Maggie and now just can't believe that her little boy is almost here.

On Saturday I had Abi's baby sprinkle here at our house. In the UK baby showers are kind of a new thing and whilst Abi had had one the first time around, she was pretty adamant she didn't want a big deal this time so we kept the sprinkle low key and had a nice lunch in the back yard with about 10 Mums and their kids, all around Calum's age. Now the countdown to George's arrival starts, can't wait to meet your next little angel, Abi! x

PS-Sorry about the backwards order, Blogger was being funny today and I couldn't move the pics around.