My first cuddle

As you probably know, C was born 7 weeks early as I had pre-eclampsia. I needed a Caesarean section but I was on a magnesium sulphate drip in case I had a seizure.

As soon as he was born, he was lifted up so that we could see him then taken off to a paediatrician and up to NICU. Chris was able to go up to see him straight away but I was unable to see him until my drip had finished as I couldn't get up the stairs with it (this ended up being 2 days later!).

It was hard only seeing him in his incubator and having to touch him by putting our hands in the little holes of it. 6 days later, I finally got to lift C out and hold him. It was amazing. I was so worried I'd break him as he was so tiny. I felt like a mummy!

Silent Sunday 28/04/2013

Vistaprint Photobook Review

Anyone who knows me will know that ever since having C, I've become a bit snap happy. I take around 10 photos on average every day so when Vistaprint contacted me to trial a photobook, of course I said yes. We went for a family photoshoot shortly after C was born so I thought that those photos would look lovely in a photobook.

Off I went to the website and found you can choose to have it in portrait or landscape, choose different sizes (S-XL) and the number of pages (24-120). I decided to go for a medium landscape photobook with 44 pages.

You can either download the editor or just edit your book online. I opted for editing online as this is better for "fast and simple designing" which was perfect for me as I haven't got a creative bone in my body. If you download the editor, you have a lot more creative freedom.

You have the option to auto-fill your photos onto the pages or manual fill. I auto-filled mine and dragged them into position so that they weren't cut off. I could believe how easy it was to create and how professional it already looked!

You're able to choose a background. There are pre-loaded ones (I chose their pastels ones) and also put text on your pictures. I didn't add any text except to the free personalised photocover.

The pages on your book can either be done on a standard matte finish paper for free or high-gloss paper for an additional £4.99. These are professional photos and I wanted to make them look the best they could so I opted for high-gloss.

It states that standard delivery is 14 days. I placed my order on Sunday afternoon and it arrived on Thursday morning. 

As soon as I opened it, my partner said "If that was £22, what do the more expensive ones look like!?" I couldn't believe the quality. The hardback cover and glossy pages are just so beautiful and they make the pictures look even better. I'm so stunned that this was the finished product for only £21.88. 

This was my first Vistaprint order but it definitely won't be my last!

(Disclaimer: I received this photobook free of charge in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are my own).

Failed trip to the park

Today, Chris and I had all intentions of taking C to the park early, but trying to get out of the house with a baby is a task and a half! 

We finally got around to leaving the house at around 3.30pm and picked up a couple of bacon & sausage baps (not healthy, I know, but we hadn't eaten all day!) and headed off to the park. C had fallen asleep on the walk there but we thought he'd wake up by the time we got to the kiddie park.

We got there and he was showing no signs of waking up. Chris gave him a little nudge and asked "Do you want to go on the swings?" to which C gave a smile and decided to go back to sleep so we gave up and decided to go home. Oh well, we'll try again soon!

I really love the three of us getting out of the house together. Chris works and goes to college so it's hard to find the time. We've decided to go and do something different any chance we get. Today was great. Actually being able to talk to each other while getting in some exercise and being out in fresh air!

C had his first taste of chocolate biscotti today. As per usual, he couldn't get it into his mouth quick enough!

Catching up

Today was fab. This morning C had his first taste of 'big boy breakfast' with toast. He seems to really be enjoying the finger foods and I'm so excited for him!

My lovely friends Brendan & Lauren treated me to Nando's as a belated birthday date! You can never go wrong with Nando's. Brendan told me that he'd bought C a present. If you know Brendan like I do, you'd be worried. But he brought these out!

Aren't they cute!? I feel so lucky to have such thoughtful and lovely friends!

I love catching up with them. I used to see my friends all the time but it is totally true that your social life does change drastically once you have a child. I wouldn't change it for the world though!

C had the time of his life. He's really starting to become a proper little boy (if that makes sense) and wanting to explore everything. I love it.

Magic Moments - 22/04/2013

I don't think many words are needed for this weeks Magic Moments. Just watch the video below.

Chris decided to do this (for some unknown reason) and this was C's reaction. It was so unexpected that I just had to make a dash for the camera!

This is a blog hop from The Oliver's Madhouse

Silent Sunday - 21/04/2013

My Super Sweet Blogging Award

Laura from My Life as a Mummy really made me smile by nominating me for the Super Sweet Blogging Award. It feels fab to be acknowledged as my little blog is only a baby!

Check out her blog if you haven't already. She writes brilliantly & I'm sure most of you will be able to relate to some of her posts.

Thank you so much for nominating me, Laura.

The official rules are as follows:
1. Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Acknowledge that blogger on your blog and link back.
3. Answer the 'Super Sweet' questions.
4. Nominate a 'Bakers Dozen' (award 13 blogs), link to their blogs in your post and notify them of their blogs. It's ok if you don't have 13 blogs to nominate, just share the love!
5. Copy and paste the award on your blog somewhere.

Super Sweet Questions:

Cookies or Cake?
Cookies...preferably double chocolate chip with fudge pieces!

Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate. I can't stand vanilla. The scent, taste, eugh. Turns my stomach!

What is your favourite sweet treat?
I had a strange obsession with Polo mints for around 6 years. I just HAD to eat between 2-4 packs a day. I then fell pregnant and they became an aversion and I haven't touched them since! Now though, I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or cherry bakewells!

When do you crave sweet things the most?
I always feel the need for something sweet after dinner. A cup of sweet tea usually settles it.

If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be?
I'm not sure about this one to be honest! I don't think my name calls for any sort of sweet nickname. I'll maybe ask the Mr and get back to you on that one!



And my nominees for the Super Sweet Blogging Award are:

www.superbusymum.blogspot.co.uk

www.thebeesleybuzz.blogspot.co.uk

www.cupcakemumma2011.blogspot.co.uk

www.lookingforbluesky.com

www.mamaowl.co.uk

www.josnursery.co.uk

www.crewcutandnewt.com

www.myplacetovoice.blogspot.co.uk

www.three-under-3.blogspot.co.uk

www.funkymamma10.wordpress.com

www.blueberetmum.wordpress.com

lesleyanneswann.blogspot.co.uk

www.tiasmum12.wordpress.com

Reasons to be Cheerful #R2BC 18/04/2013

We got lucky. We have a perfectly healthy baby (despite his arrival on this Earth early).

He sleeps well. Right through the night from around 14 weeks old. 

He eats well. Always finishes his bottles and now that we've started weaning, he never turns his nose up at anything. So easy to get food into.

He's happy all the time. Well, he does have a little whinge but he is generally such a pleasant baby. Everyone who meets him points it out.

We feel so blessed to have this little fellow in our lives and he is my reason to be cheerful.

This is a blog hop from Mummy From The Heart

Pre-eclampsia

I've wanted to do this blog post for a while. If you have read my very first post here, you'll know that C was born prematurely because I had severe pre-eclampsia and he needed to be delivered as soon as possible.

Women with pre-eclampsia have high blood pressure, fluid retention (oedema) and protein in the urine (proteinuria). If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.

The exact cause of pre-eclampsia is unknown. It's thought to occur when there is a problem with the placenta.

As this was my first pregnancy. I Google-searched every little symptom. I was convinced fairly early on that I would develop pre-eclampsia. I have no idea why (honestly, even ask Chris if you don't believe me!). Chris brushed it off as I am a very anxious person at the best of times.

At around 20 weeks pregnant, I noticed that I was bloating a lot and my fingers would swell when walking (bear in mind that this was in Summer so I thought that it was heat-related) and my face, legs and feet were swollen too. I assumed that it was normal in pregnancy.

My blood pressure seemed relatively normal at all my midwife appointments and peeing on my protein sticks every week never showed any problems. Until that day. It showed 4+'s (the highest amount). I ignored it. I didn't want to believe. I felt fine. Nothing was wrong. Then I went temporarily blind the following night and had to visit the hospital. The staff told me that I was very lucky that I went in when I did. The worst could have happened.

Mild pre-eclampsia affects 10% of first-time pregnancies. Severe pre-eclampsia affects 1-2% of pregnancies (if only I could get that lucky on the lottery!).

Apparently if you have pre-eclampsia in your first pregnancy, you are more likely to have it in subsequent pregnancies. This terrifies me. I loved being pregnant and I love being a mum. There's nothing I want more than to give C a sibling. Yes, I'll be taking aspirin from around 6 weeks pregnant and monitored more but it's still scary.

Treatment for pre-eclampsia focuses on lowering blood pressure and managing the other symptoms, sometimes with medication.

The only way to cure pre-eclampsia is to deliver the baby. Being born prematurely (before 37 weeks) can be dangerous for the baby, but it may be necessary to relieve the mother's symptoms which is what the case was with myself. Delivering at 33 weeks was very risky but Chris could have lost both of us if we waited any longer.

Complications of pre-eclampsia are responsible for the deaths of around six women each year. Several hundred babies also die each year, often as a result of premature birth. The earlier it's picked up on, the better the outlook for mum and baby.

We got lucky. Yes, we both had to stay in hospital for a few weeks but we came out unscathed. My advice is: don't ignore the symptoms. If you feel that something is wrong, call your midwife or Maternity Unit. Don't worry about making a fool out of yourself or thinking "I don't want to be a pain if nothing's wrong" (I'm guilty of that one). You need to put your mind at rest for you and your baby. These people are there to help.

Below is a photograph of me 2 days after giving birth. You can really see the swelling on my face.

And here I am with C around 4 weeks after giving birth after the swelling went down.

[Pre-eclampsia information from NHS website]

Next Home wishlist

We currently rent our home and our lease is up in July. We've been here for two years but now is the time to move on as we need another bedroom for C to go into.

I love planning how to decorate a room in my head and when I received an email from Next about their new arrivals, I had to take a look.

Below are the items which I feel like I just need to buy. I wonder if Chris will agree that they are necessities...

Next Home wishlist by x-walter on Polyvore

Buy Velvet Pixels Cushion from the Next UK online shop, £25 / Buy Sentiment Mantle Clock from the Next UK online shop, £18 / Buy Words Plaque from the Next UK online shop, £12 / Buy Family And Friends Frame from the Next UK online shop, £20 / Buy White Long Collage from the Next UK online shop, £25 / Buy Eiffel Stacking Mugs from the Next UK online shop, £12 / Buy Hanging Stars Plaque from the Next UK online shop, £8 / Buy Overdoor Bathroom Towel Hook from the Next UK online shop, £18

Do you like my selections? 

What are your favourite items from their new arrivals? 

Have you purchased any of the ones that I've mentioned?

Essie 666 Sexy Divide nail polish swatch & review

As I previously posted here, I won £40 to spend at BeautyDept. I read a lot of beauty blogs and one brand kept popping up - Essie. I'd never tried an Essie nail polish so when I noticed that BeautyDept stocked some of their colours, I decided to go for it. 

I purchased Sexy Divide (666). It's described as "a sparkly intense violet with hints of shimmer for dazzling up nails" and it really stays true to that.

I used two coats and think the colour comes up brilliantly and it dries really quickly as well.

At £8.95 a pop, I think they're definitely worth a shot!

Have you tried any Essie colours? Which are your favourites?

BeautyDept.com haul

I recently won a competition run by Beauty Dept on their Facebook page.
As you all know, Jessie J shaved her head for Comic Relief so Beauty Dept wanted people to show off their craziest hairstyle to win £40 to spend on their website. 

I entered on a whim and I won. Here's my winning entry:

I was absolutely chuffed as after having my son 6 months ago, I rarely spend a penny on myself! 

I ordered it on the Wednesday, it was dispatched on Thursday and arrived this morning (Friday) so they sent it Special Delivery & delivery was FREE!

Here's a little peek inside my box:

When I saw the items below, I thought "I didn't order these!" They had thrown in 3 little samples!

My purchases:

Samples (close up):

Decléor Paris Fresh purifying gel & Fresh matifying lotion (10ml each)

Schwarzkopf Osis+ Body Me volume serum (50ml)

Kératase Elixir Ultime Replenishing & beautifying scented oil (3ml)

Purchases (close up):

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Mousse Makeup (01 Sparkling Blush) (£21.25 for 50ml)

KMS California Body Build Detangler (£13 for 150ml)

Essie Nail Polish (666 Sexy Divide) (£8.95 for 15ml)

I'm so happy with everything and I will do a blog post reviewing each of these items when I use them!