Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016

2015, you've been wonderful, hard, tiring, exciting, life changing, challenging, financially tough, progressive, rewarding and to be honest, one of the best.

2015 started off with finding out we were expecting baby number two. It had taken us seven months of trying, so when I got that positive test in January I was over the moon that our little family was growing by one more. As pregnancy symptoms sunk in life plodding along as normal. Darcie turned three in June and then we soon found out we were having a little boy. Darcie was going to have a brother!

Jamie got an amazing promotion at work, the job he had always wanted and worked so hard to get. This little blog grew, I managed to get more work and I won Next's blogger of the month for October and got "Top Blog"in Essentials magazine in the December issue. All in all, our career's seem to be blossoming. 

September came and our beautiful boy was born. All 8lb 11oz of him was completely and utterly perfect and the added bonus was that I got to experience birth exactly the way I wanted. These last three months have been some of the best in my life. Knowing our family is complete and looking ahead to our future as a family of four. 

What do I hope and wish for 2016? Health, happiness and adventure. I will be going back to work in a few months, Darcie will start school in September, Henry will celebrate his first birthday and me and Jamie will celebrate 10 years of being an item. 2016 has the potential to be another wonderful year.

So as me and Jamie have tucked up the children in bed, we settle down with a box of  chocolates and pretend wine (as I'm breastfeeding!). Some may find that an incredibly boring to see in the new year, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Happy New Year all, I hope 2016 brings you all you hoped for.

Mummy B xoxox

Goals for 2016

As the New Year approaches, it's only natural that we all reflect and look forward to 2016. I always like to set myself challenges and New Year feels right to try and start some of them. A new year and a clean slate. I don't like calling them resolutions as I don't feel I ever stick to them, but this year I'm feeling motivated and hopeful that at least some of them may stick! So here we go...

Our Christmas 2015

I was very quiet on here over the last week and that's because we have had some, much needed, quality time.  Our Christmas was a special one and one I think my hubby found hard. His brother is moving across the pond with his wife to live in California next year, so it was our last Christmas with them in the UK. For that reason, we decided to host and have all his immediate family for Christmas dinner. 

What I really want for Christmas

1. A full night's sleep. I know you're only little still Henry, but I would love a full night's sleep. I haven't had one of them in a very long time - even when you were in my tummy I never got a full night's sleep. 

As I am still breastfeeding Henry it does fall on me to feed him through the night. It's tough, when Darcie was small me and Jamie would share the feeds. I'm keen for him to be able to feed Henry a couple of nights, but I'm struggling with expressing at the moment. Perhaps it's the type of pump I have - I'm not sure. If anyone has any tips on expressing please feel free to share.

2. Me time. Selfish? Yes. But sometimes you have to be. I'm at home all day with the children, which I love, but I do miss the adult conversation that comes with working. Jamie works pretty long shifts and unsociable hours, sometimes I barely see him at all and if he is at home, he is catching up on sleep (oh the luxury ;)). I would love to snatch a couple of hours where I can paint my nails, without them getting trashed because a little person needs me etc. Jamie is very good though and will often tell me to go relax and have a bath. Keeper.

3. Date night. We have yet to do this since Henry'a arrival, but it's pretty difficult to do when breastfeeding. I really need to sort this expressing situation out.

4. More hours in the day. I never seem to get things finished. I will always try to write a daily goals list, but very rarely finish it and it's through no fault of trying. There is really just not enough hours in the day. 

5. More energy. Perhaps this is why I'm not completing my goals list. I need to start exercising more, yes I want to lose weight, but that's really not my motivation. I'm noticing I tire very quickly when playing with Darcie and I don't want to be the mum that can't run around after her little ones. 2016 will be the year of getting my fitness levels back on track. 

What's the one thing you would really want for Christmas that you just can't buy?

Mummy B xoxox

Four Ways to Improve the Exterior of Your Home

I often find myself writing about home decor, it's an aspect of blogging/life I love and I'm always dreaming up ways in which we can improve our own home. It's easy to think about what colour to paint a wall, or where to hang that mirror or what cushion would complete that bedroom look. One area that often gets neglected is the exterior of a home.

The exterior of your home is the first thing you see when you get home, you want to make your home warm and inviting - especially at this time of year. So how exactly can you do this?

Where have we been? | Henry's First Cold | Vlog/Blogmas Day 15

So, I'm missing a few day's of Vlog/Blogmas, a nasty cold has hit our two little ones! Whilst Darcie has been such a trooper Henry has been pretty miserable and has been constantly attached to me. His first cold is a milestone I didn't want us to reach this soon.

Ideas for a Small Toddler Boy's Room

Living in a modern house we have the usual third box bedroom and our little boy, Henry, has been lumped with it! When we designed his nursery we found it so difficult to find furniture that would work,  but we wanted to make it as functional as possible. I'm so happy with the way it has turned out and really works well with the space that we have. However, it won't be long until we will have to update his room when he becomes a toddler. Darcie was one when she moved in to a bed, so if Henry follows suit then we will have to re-do his room in the near future. 

My Top Tips For Making The Most Of Your Rooms

With so many house buyers being priced out of the property market these days more and more new families are finding themselves having to rent and make the best of smaller properties. This means now more than ever when it comes to making the most of the rooms in your home, space is a key factor. Maximising space, in the right way, can really transform a home from that cluttered 'lived in' space into a clean, elegant, living space. So here is my guide to maximising space in the home. Although I will mention some specific items I'd like to think of this as a guide, a few simple rules for making the most of the rooms in your home.

Henry at Three Months Old | Vlog/Blogmas Day Eight

My little dude is three months old today. Three months! As I say every month, as do all parents, doesn't time fly? The wait for their arrival seems like the longest nine months, but once they're here time seems to go at double speed. 

Vlog/Blogmas Day Seven | Decorations, Hot Chocolate & some Damn Good Cheese on Toast

Hi guys! New video for you as I forgot to pop it on here yesterday (again!). Enjoy.

Mummy B xoxox

Disney Princess Royal Boutique Cash Register | Vlog/Blogmas Day Six

Still have a little Princess to buy for Christmas this year? Why not treat them to, the rather cute, Disney Princess Royal Boutique Cash Register?  Being a mahoosive Disney fan, Darcie was very kindly sent one to review and so far she has played with it constantly. We have played shops from dawn to dusk, it has definitely been a hit in our household!

Vlog/Blogmas Day Five

I'm a little late sharing my latest video, but we have had a really lovely family day and it slipped my mind to pop the video on here. Sorry guys!!

Anyway, day six of  Vlog/Blogmas...

Mummy B xoxox

My Christmas Wish List | Vlog/Blogmas Day Four

As I said in my Day Two blog post All I want for Christmas is Sleep, and whilst that is true, I am hoping Santa will bring me a few more goodies too. I know, greedy right?! 

Next Coat | £80 | This beautiful parka is something I have my eye on for a while now. I love the colour and general look of the coat. I haven't had a parka since I was around 14!

Hunter Wellie Socks | £30 | I love wearing my Hunters but boy do my feet get cold!! Hopefully these can keep my tooties nice and cosy!

Zara Shirt | £29.99 | I have a thing for these style shirts, matched with a pair of skinny black jeans and you're good to go.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish | £15.50 | A product that has been on my wish list time and time again but I keep forgetting to pick myself one up to try!! May be this will be my year!

Daniel Wellington Watch | £135.15 | This beautiful watch is timeless, you really can't go wrong with a classic piece like this.

Oval Semi Precious Stone Ring Accessorize | £15 | I love the colour of the stone in this ring, so pretty  and to match is this lovely Long Pendant from Accessorize | £10 |. 

What's on your Christmas wish list this year?

Mummy B xoxox

Vlog/Blogmas Day Three | Christmas Haul

It's the day three of Vlog/Blogmas and today I have another video for you and it's a little Christmas Haul of bit's and bobs I have got over the last few weeks. Enjoy!

Mummy B xoxox

All I want for Christmas is Sleep! | Vlog/Blogmas Day Two

As a new mum of two my sleep is something I treasure... and it's something I am currently lacking! You expect the sleepless nights, but that old saying "sleep when baby sleeps" is in possible to do when you have another little person to look after too. I love being a mum of two and wouldn't change it for anything, but for Christmas I could do with some sleep!

Ensuring us mum's get enough sleep is the key to a happy home, I don't know about you but I'm certainly not at my best when I have only had four hours of disturbed sleep! So for a happier home a great night sleep for everyone is a must and something I have been trying to implement in ours.

Vlog/Blogmas 2015 | Day One

I have decided to do my own spin on Vlogmas and Blogmas and combine the two! So everyday leading up to Christmas you will see either a video or a blog post (I will always share the video on here too). As you will have seen I am starting my venture on to Youtube and I thought this would be a great time of year to have a go at vlogging! 

So here is my fist video for Vlog/Blogmas 2015..

Mummy B xoxox