A few changes in the future

Exciting things for the future

Picture from Pinterest. 

This post is soooooo different to my usual posts, and actually pretty personal. And is going to include topics that are considered a little controversial if you will; but I thought it would be fun to do a post talking exciting things I have planned for the next coming years. I mean I know some things can change, but with this whole New year, new me business I thought it was relatively fitting to have a little natter about things I have planned and things I'm hoping to achieve.

Firstly if you follow my Instagram ill pop it here - my Instagram and you've checked out my Insta stories,you'll know I've got some exciting things planned in regards to my social media this year, I'm not going to go into to much detail as everything is still a working progress but all I can say is if you pop over to my Instagram and turn on those notifications you'll be able to keep up to date with all of my posts and stories. So keep an eye out - exciting things are brewing....

My body, so over the next few years were working on some changes - or so I have these things set for particular months for the time being but I've got to head to different appointments to clarify. And I'm aware that not everyone reading will agree with them but thats totally fine in every way, and everyone is entitled to an opinion. Theres always been a few things I've not been very keen on, for example my lips - there a small problem for me, nothing to major, but to me there weird in shape and a a bit deflated on the sides (cue the internet trolls picking on maaaa lips haha). I mean they aren't awful, but I'm intending on changing them; so in a few months I'm considering taking the plunge to get lip fillers. 

Now before you go DONNA ARE YOU CRAZY, we're not talking anything ridiculous, just a little bit on the edges, if you'd like me to do a post if I go ahead with them defiantly let me know and I can do that for you. Another procedure that may be on the cards is another to do with the face/mouth and that is veneers. I haven't got terrible teeth, and being honest these are probably last on the list. I'd had braces and my teeth whitened (which I loved) in the past but would like them to be permanently white rather than having to go back every few months and completely straight - I cant say I'd like to much of a fake smile, so maybe we'll go a little more subtle? or do I stick with the teeth whiteners? so confusing!! 

Next up, I've had 2 beautiful daughters, who I love more than anything, but 2 Caesarian sections later... lets be honest; my body has seen better days. So there are two particular procedures I'm also considering for the next few years, and not going to lie they are pretty big procedures a tummy tuck and boob job.  

For my boobs I'm wanting an augmentation, uplift and full fat removal - along with the removal of my lynth nodes under my arms, there is another reason for this, a health reason. This is something I'm really wanting to do, and its a change that I've got the most appointments for due to wanting lots done in one operation; but much like the other procedures I'm considering if I go ahead I will do a separate post. And finally a tummy tuck - the main reason for this is due to having 2 caesarians I have a pretty nifty, yet unattractive apron - and not the kind for cooking. It doesn't look great and being honest I wouldn't change it for the world as my 'saggy tummy' bought my 2 beautiful daughters into the world; but its time to work on the mum bod haha but this isn't an area that the gym could tackle! And as I said above if its something I go through with, I'll be sure to write a post.

** Little disclaimer I thought I'd include, all of the above things are my decision and in no way have been influenced by anyone; if anything most people I have told are completely against it. I'm also aware that all of the above carry risks; which is why I am having lots of different appointments at a variety of different private hospitals. I have also added "if I go through with it' as I am not making this a promise but rather something I'm considering - if I am not happy with different aspects then I won't go ahead. **

Moving back out of my parents house is another goal, I had moved out before having Evangeline but of course little blips happen and I moved home - but I'm making it my goal to have moved out in the next few months. SO of course ill be uploading lots of different house related posts. 

Harry Potter studios, I've wanted to visit this place since it opened so I'm making it my goal to go this year. lets just hope I actually manage it as every other time somethings always come up haha!

And my last goal, change or whatever you'd like to call it, is to improve on my blog upload schedule (I say this all the time) but lets just keep our fingers crossed that I actually stick to it haha!

Anyway thats all I have to say really, a quick post; nothing to long. Hopefully you enjoyed reading what my plans are for the next year or so and ill speak to you in my next post. 

Welcoming Florance Violet

04•10•2017 

I've been meaning to sit and write this post for a little while now, being completely honest this isn't the first time I've typed this - the 3rd time I believe? Florance is 3 weeks old now and I have 2 drafts dating back to when she was a few days old. I thought I'd start again completely as I wasn't particularly keen on how I'd written the others. So we're starting fresh, rewriting Florance's birth story.

I haven't gone into much detail about my entire pregnancy with Florance, just written the odd update here and there. Which sucks, as I intended to do regular updates just as I did when I was pregnant with Evangeline; but sometimes my life gets a bit hectic and I don't have much time to sit and write any pregnancy updates or any blog posts really. Anyway, a  little insight into my pregnancy with her - it was absolutely fabulous, really smooth, no nausea, no problems, no nothing; just smooth sailing until I reached around 30-32 weeks. 

Around this time I had discovered Florance had stopped wiggling, each time I had visited the hospital and been on a CTG machine, everytime her results would be practically perfect. However due to not feeling her movements I wasn't able to 'count the kicks' or anything to ensure she was okay. I was under a consultant due to having a high risk pregnancy, seeing him every 4 weeks - he agreed that the lack of movements was concerning so sent me for a scan; which showed she was measuring in the 3rd percentile, roughly 4 weeks behind in growth. Due to this there was a chance she'd have to be delivered early, so I was sent for steriod injections which stung like a b*tch but worth it - making her lungs much stronger incase she needed be born much earlier. 

The plan was to deliver Florance at 34 weeks, but with a little persuasion and agreeing to constant scans and CTG's the consultant and I came to the agreement she'd be born at 37-38 weeks, of course this would change if results weren't of satisfaction. Either way, I was scheduled to have her at 37 weeks via csection due to her size and much like Evie being breech, however there were no available csection slots at my hospital only at a hospital a few hours from where I live. Fortunately the consultant understood why I wanted to wait until a slot at my local hospital became available and we came up with a plan of CTG's 4 times a week and scans to follow to check on baby up until 38 weeks 1 day, when I had my csection. The day before my section I had a scan which showed baby was losing weight and my placenta wasn't doing to great either - so luckily we had my section planned for the next day!! 

04•10•2017 

The day of my scheduled csection. The day I finally got to meet my second princess, to finally hug and kiss her. Much like my csection with Evangeline, I had to take 3 tablets 1 the night before and 2 the morning of the procedure - anti-sickness and anti-acid I believe? We were to arrive at the hospital at 07:30am and head to the Folkestone ward which is were we would stay for our time at the hospital. As soon as we arrived we were greeted by my midwife and some students, the aneasatist visited shortly after discussing the spinal, cannula and all that jazz, then the consultant obstetrician followed talking to us about who would be in theatre for the baby, the procedure, risks and to sign paperwork. 

Around 08:30 I was given my gowns, stockings, my obs were taken; babys heartbeat was listened to for the last time in my tummy, and my birthing partner (my mum) was also given scrubs. At 09:00am we headed down to theatre, the walk felt like 60 minutes, in reality it probably took 3, but nerves had finally set in haha so everything felt much longer. 

We were taken into theatre, I was sat on the operating table where they inserted a cannula into my hand and prepared me for my spinal. I remember my spinal with Evangeline and this time around was no where near as smooth sailing. The aneasatist didn't put enough medication in the numbing injection, due to this I felt every. single. part. of my spinal!!.    

which I can't really put into words how uncomfortable it was. Of course I cried which I think is understandable so at this point I was already fed up.

After this I was laid down and my catheter was inserted I'd say probably 15 different members of theatre staff and 2 students watched, so they have all seen my lady garden - glamorous right? My spinal wasn't working very well on my left side and I could feel everything on my right side..so I was tilted back on the operating table which resulted in me being unable to breathe as the spinal had travelled up onto my chest. The bed was tilted the other way and a few minutes later I could breathe again. At this point I was still able to feel a majority of my right side, with my left side being completely numb.

The aneasatist made the decision to give the go ahead to start the procedure regardless to the spinal working on only one side as they didn't want baby to become distressed. They began the csection and I honestly cannot being to describe the feeling I had on my right side, I felt everything. I won't go into detail, but honestly it was the worst pain I have ever felt. Luckily I could only feel on one side so when the consultant was carrying out the procedure on the left I was okay, but as soon as they moved to the right it was horrendous. Maybe I'm being dramatic but I honestly felt like I was dying.

09:24am Florance Violet was born, letting out the biggest cry I've ever heard. Those steriods definitely worked haha! After Florance was born she was assessed by the paedatritians who were pleased with her breathing, skin, movements and everything else so they aloud me to hold her. I wasn't able to hold her very long as I was very light headed and uncomfortable due to the surgeon having to finish the procedure; so she was given to my mum for a cuddle. 

Florance Violet Holmes

5lbs 6oz

09:24am

Florance at just minutes old! <3

Florance and I in recovery <3

Around 10 minutes later my mum headed to recovery with Florance and the midwife, she was weighed, given her Vitamin K injection and she was put into her first outfit, a white tiny baby sleepsuit which swamped her with a floral hat from next. During this time I was still in theatre, I was given two injections in both of my sides - they had to be given with an ultrasound machine as they can damage your organs, I'm not entirely sure what these injections were being honest. Around 5 minutes later I was reunited with Florance and my mum. I was finally able to give Florance a proper cuddle and lots of kisses. Unfortunately I was unable to get a picture of my mum and Florance at the hospital! :( :( :(

10:50am

We were taken back to the Folkestone ward, were Zachary was able to meet Florance and give her her first feed - much like Evangeline, Florance has tongue tie so was unable to latch to breastfeed. Our family came to meet Florance bringing lots of gifts, congratulations and well wishes. 

Zachary and Florance. :)

My dad and Florance <3

My sister and Florance. <3

We remained at the hospital until the next evening, around 6pm.. We were then discharged and able to head home to start our new adventures.

Although my csection didn't go as planned, I would do it again in a heartbeat for Florance. As I would for Evangeline - I love my girls more than words can describe.  I also wanted to add, if your waiting to have a csection please don't let my experience effect you,  because its very rare! 

Thank you for taking your time to read all about Florance's arrival. I have also written a birth story on Evangeline's arrival which I will link here - Evangeline's birth story

I hope you are all well and I will speak to you all in my next post! 

A long awaited update

 Let's have a catch up

Hello, it's been a little while since I lasted posted on here. Back in September, so not to long; but over a month ago. I initially intended to upload much more frequently, I had plans for pregnancy updates, Evie bum boo updates, mummy tags, tips, hauls and a few more but I guess I'm not to fab at sticking to a blog schedule and life got pretty hectic so I didn't really have very much time at all... Quite a bit has happened since I lasted spoke to you all, and I thought it would be nice to have a little 'catch up'.  

Going back to when I last posted everything was going swimmingly, I must've been roughly 34 weeks pregnant and was planning on writing a pregnancy update, giving a bit of an insight into what had been happening, symptoms and all of that. But everything turned relatively sour and to be honest I spent most days in hospital on different machines, having different scans and seeing doctors. Little lady had stopped wriggling and no one could quite figure out why, so therefore I was unable to monitor her movements. After having a growth scan it came to light that little lady, truly was little and measuring around 4 weeks behind her gestational age; in the 3rd percentile. It was decided that I was to have CTGs 3 times a week, steriod injections - which hurt like a b*tch; but worth it in the long run, scans weekly and consultant weekly and no real sort of birth plan what so ever, as depending on scans and CTG results she could've been delivered at any time. Anyway, long story short I was able to make the final decision and chose to have her kept in my tummy for as long as possible, up until the results starting deteriorating, due to this little lady made her grand arrival via C-section on the 04•10•2017 at 09:24am, weighing 5lbs 6oz at 38 weeks - I'm so very chuffed they allowed her to stay in my bump until she was full term. We couldn't be happier, Evangeline is proving to be the best big sister. I love my girls more than words could possibly describe. 

Meet - Florance Violet. 

I will be doing a separate birth story in the near future and will go more indepth into everything so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

We've not been up to very much recently, of course I'm sure some of you understand the last thing you particularly want to be doing when recovering from a C-section is going on day trips or heading out, instead I've much prefered staying indoors in comfy clothes and having lots of cuddles with Evangeline and Florance. Although, I must say; I've recovered much quicker this time around - in fact was up wondering around nipping to the shop, back to my normal self around 4 days postpartum. But we haven't done anything to extravagant. 

I was considering do a little Christmas series on here, a few DIY's, cooking bits, tags, tips and a few more bits and bobs - I won't say to much, I'll leave a little element of suprise haha! There's a few posts in my drafts; so hopefully I manage to finish writing those and post them before/during December! 

I haven't much more to say, so I'll pop in a few more bits I can update on.... to start, I'm still living with my parents, I've been actively looking for properties and I've been to quite a few house viewings but found nothing so far - which sucks, I must admit I do enjoy living at home; but would love to have my own place. I'm really hoping that something comes on the market soon, as of now it's a waiting game - waiting for the perfect house/flat to pop up! 

When I finally move I'd like to do a few posts in regards to that too, maybe some moving posts, interior posts, hauls and so on - but we'll have to wait and see. 

Lets throw a little celebration, I fit back into my pre-pregnancy clothing - Woohoo! Evangeline, Florance, my mum, sister and I popped into Matalan actually and I found a skirt, size 8 and it fits! which means not only have I lost all of my pregnancy weight I'm actually slimmer now than I was before falling pregnant with Florance - crazy right!? 

Anyway, that's all I really have to say for the time being, just a snappy little update; I hope your all well and I'll speak to you in my next post.

Let the blogging commence...

I'm back to blogging!

My entire world, I love my princesses more than anything and I'm beyond
excited to start our adventures as a family of 3 in October.

Hello, it's me again! I'm back uploading after taking a well needed break - although its a much shorter break than I originally anticipated... just over a month I believe, give or take a few days. I was under the assumption that I would be gone for a little longer, but I wanted to get back into the 'swing' of things, (not that I really ever got into the swing  of things in the first place) it didn't feel right completely abandoning my blog - and even though I didn't upload very often at all, I kind of missed having a chat with you and wanted to do a little, you guessed... update..  So I'm back! I hope your all well, and that you've been making the most of the summer! Also, please excuse the fact that my spelling or general post in general is a bit of a shambles but I'm a bit rusty and its almost midnight haha...

First things first, I've revamped my blog - again... and I love it! I love the simplicity, and the personal touches! not to forget I've actually managed to figure out how to add my Instagram back on here again haha; so feel free to head over to see what we've been up to recently! I hope you like the new appearance, let me know what you think?

Where do I start? believe it or not, not that much has actually happened since my last post... I mean of course a variety of bits and bobs in my life have changed, for example I have a great deal to update you on in regards to my pregnancy, and lot's of new milestones Evangeline has reached, but I was thinking of doing those things in a different post... I have roughly 6-7 post drafts written in my notebook - which I intend to start immediately. But other than that nothing much has changed. I'm still living at my parents house - I've been searching high and low for my own place, but nothing seems to be cropping up at the moment; but I'm sure one will eventually. I have a new car, which I love; it's my 2nd proper car that I've bought - I've had other cars but they haven't actually been mine haha! 

I've come up with a relatively easy upload schedule, hopefully one that I can stick to? or at least try my best to achieve. I'm hoping to upload at least once a week, but with a toddler and new baby on the way I'm sure it'll change - maybe some weeks there will be a few uploads and others not so many, I'm not going to put to much pressure on myself, but I promise I'll try my very best to keep some sort of routine! In regards to posts, as I mentioned above I have around 6-7 currently jotted down in my notebook; I'll include them here so you know what's coming up on my blog in the next few weeks... starting from the top of my list - a little update on Evangeline, my long awaited pregnancy update, my living situation and what I plan to do in my future house, all about my new car, reviews on some new bits for the baby and Evie, my opinion on the bugaboo donkey so far and finally.. one that I've been working on, on and off for almost 2 months - Evangeline's 1st birthday post!!

I've got a few more posts in mind - but I'm not entirely sure whether anything will ever come of them, but we'll see..


Anyway, I'm going to wrap it up here. I know this post is possibly one of the shortest I've done, but I don't want to bore you and waffle on for the whole of an eternity. I wanted to add, thank you to all of you who have stuck around waiting for our return, it means so very much to have all of your support! 

Thank you for reading and I'll speak to you beauties in my next post!    

My first trimester - 2nd pregnancy

Baby no2.

Our Baby No.2 <3

I mentioned previously that I'd be uploading a few pregnancy related posts, I thought a good place to start would be talking about my first trimester - I've not done a post like this before, I popped my pregnancy updates with Evangeline in all of my chit-chat type of posts, but I thought I'd try discussing it on 2 or 3 posts in one place rather than in lots of different places. Hopefully that makes sense?! 

Ironically I'm writing this post a little later than I originally planned, I was hoping to have it written and uploaded the last week of my 1st trimester but that didn't happen, I'm now in fact just over 2 weeks into my 2nd trimester; but I guess any post is better late than never, right? To make it a little more interesting I thought I'd throw in a few little comparisons with my pregnancy with Evangeline... or at least I feel it'll be more interesting haha! 

Anyway, I'm rambling so on with the post!....

Rewinding to back when I found out that we are expecting baby no2, the day we found out our little princess Evangeline is going to be a big sister. Valentines day, we had just been out as a family to Wagamamas by far my favvvvvv restaurant, and had to pop into B&M.... I can't remember why, I think it was to pick a neck pillow? sounds familiar but honestly I can't really remember haha. Nevertheless, we popped into B&M - at this point I think I was around 4 or 5 days late for my period (putting it bluntly haha) so just on a whim we decided to pick up a few boxes of tests, as we were trying for baby no2 and you never no when you need a test! We arrived home at 8pm and I done the test, and boom - within seconds the test had come back positive, I didn't believe it so I sent Zachary to Sainsbury to pick up a digital, which revealed I was roughly 4 weeks. I was in utter shock as I hadn't had ANY symptoms what so ever! 

Moving away from finding out and moving onto symptoms... I had none, not one. Other than cramping, which I have every time I have a cycle I had nothing out of the ordinary; however when I was pregnant with Evangeline I was extremely nauseous, boobs were sore, cramping, bad skin all the usual - so kind of had a hunch, but nothing at all this time. I;m lucky really as I've heard some horror stories about women who are sick 30+ times a day, my sister had morning sickness so I've witnessed it first hand, and boy am I glad I haven't had it; I hate being sick!

I had my first scan at 5-6 weeks due to being high risk for ectopic pregnancies, another at 7-8 weeks to check on baby and of course my 12 week scan. I had 4 scans in my 1st trimester with Evie. We actually have a scan booked for the 6th May to find out baby no.2's gender - I'm soooooooooo stinking excited; but I'll possibly talk about that in another post.

I've had 1 midwife appointment in my first trimester, a few doctors and consultant appointments, medication starting all over again and of course blood tests. But I can't complain, because I'd do these things daily if it means my children are healthy. :) 

But thats it really, I had a feeling this post would be a quick one, but truth is I don't have to much to say, maybe future updates will be longer? Either way I hope you've enjoyed reading this, having a bit more information on baby no.2, and I'll talk to you in my next post.

We've got some news:

'We couldn't be happier, we are absolutely over the moon............. we're beyond grateful!'

Hello, so it's becoming a theme that I only really upload the odd 'chit-chat' posts. Well, being completely honest they kind of fill the majority of my blog. But today's post is an exciting one, well it is in my opinion - hopefully you agree!? I think I'm going to pop in a little update to.

Complete side note, I don't think I've actually mentioned this on here yet? But my blog has been running for over a year now!! For those of you wondering I first set up my blog over on the website 'wordpress' last April, Monday 4th April 2016 to be precise. And it's all ready been a whole year!? - well just over..... Although as you know I moved my blog over to here a few months later. I started my blog as an online diary, I never really intended for it to come as far as what it has, I've had fantastic  opportunities, worked with some amazing companies and enjoyed every second. I was so reluctant to start my blog, and I think it took me around 3 months to finally take the plunge; and boy am I glad I did. No, I'm not the best writer, haven't got the most amazing, interesting  posts - but they seem to attract so many different people, its crazy to me, to see that there are people reading my blog from Australia!  Even though I haven't really been that dedicated to posting and uploading on here recently, and well I've kind of neglected it for around 6 months, posting the odd thing here and there. I truly intend to improve and stick to some sort of upload schedule - I would love to keep my blog going for as long a possible, and hope I can. But I just wanted to say thank you, thank you for taking your time to support my blog, it means ever so much. 

Moving on to the reason your actually reading this......the exciting news. If you don't follow my Instagram, your probably thinking 'Well stop rambling and tell us the news!' so I'm not going to keep waffling and go into detail about everything after...........

"I never realised just how nervous I'd feel about posting this, I know there can be some very judgmental, nasty people - but please keep negative opinions to yourself.

I'd like to announce that our family will welcoming a new addition in October and we couldn't be happier, we are absolutely over the moon. It's much sooner than we anticipated and we recieved quite the shock as we thought we'd have difficulty concieving again, but we're beyond grateful. Evangeline truly will be the best big sister."

We're expecting baby number 2 in October. We are thrilled, beyond grateful and we're very excited. As I mentioned we thought it would take much longer due to the issues I have with my ovaries and womb, it took around 7 months, perhaps a little longer and a procedure through a laparoscopy to fall pregnant with my daughter Evangeline; so we were extremely shocked when it took around a month - give or take a few days!  and some tablets/vitamins to help us too!

<3 <3 <3

For those of you who are going to ask, we were adviced and informed it would take much longer due to my medical problems and having a csection to conceive; we're very lucky it happened as quick as it did. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that baby number 2 is growing in my tummy! Evangeline will be the best big sister, she's so gentle, friendly, loving, cheeky, playful and I know she'll love being a big sister. 

I'm considering doing some pregnancy related posts in the near future but I'm not 100% sure yet? But either way if I do end up doing them, then you'll see them here haha! 

So as I said I wanted to do this as a little update to. I don't really have to much to say but, we had our first BBQ in our back garden on Sunday 9th April just us 3, it was lovely; the weather has been amazing so sunny. So Evangeline, Zachary and I have been having lots of little adventures or day trips these past few weekends (when Zachary isn't working), soaking in the sun! Its crazy to think this time next year we'll be a family of 4!! 

I thought I'd post a collage rather then lots of individual pictures haha! I love my little family more than anything! <3

Complete change of subject and a little update on our little princess. Evangeline has started pulling herself up onto furniture (with a little help at times) I can't believe how quickly she's growing up! She still hasn't mastered crawling, but being honest she just doesn't want to...she bum shuffles, pulls herself or rolls - she much prefers standing now, so who knows she may walk before she crawls? She still doesn't have any teeth! which to me is rather bizarre, she's being teething now since she was a little over 2 months, so her little tooth-pegs are defiantly talking there time, but better late than never? we can see them in her gums, I guess they just aren't ready to pop threw yet; but I'm pretty sure it won't be long! maybe I'll be telling you all about her teeth making their arrival in my next post? 

Our little princess, I had to print screen this from my Instagram, as it wasn't watermarked on my phone haha! if you don't already follow me and you'd like to my username is - dons_steph <3

We've been looking at some prams and cars this last month, finding the perfect one for our growing family. I think we've settled on the 'iCandy Peach' - I'll insert a picture. We did look into the 'Bugaboo Donkey' but I don't like how wide it is being completely honest; so the icandy I think it is... but I'll go into further detail in a different post. And perhaps I'll do a car update in that post to haha! 

**Picture from google.* This is the icandy peach, but we would be buying it in black :)

Anyway, I think I'm rambling on about everything....so I'm going to end it here; as I say in every post - if I don't stop it'll go on forever! haha. So thank you for reading and I hope your just as excited with the news as we are! 

What I've learnt:

My year: then and now.

I felt like having a chat about what I've learnt this last year, how it's changed or how its different from the last few years, what I know now that I didn't then and all about what I want for the future.

How my life has changed? What I've learnt?

I've learnt so very much this year and my life has changed in so many ways - the biggest, most amazing, life changing event was becoming a mummy to mine and Zachary's beautiful daughter Evangeline Rose, she turns 5 months old on the 7th December, which is crazy...it still feels like we were bringing her home from the hospital yesterday; I've blinked these last 4 nearly 5 months away. Becoming her mummy is the best thing that has every happened to me, ever. And in all honesty I doubt there will be anything that will top it. I love her unconditionally - becoming a mummy to Evangeline by far is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

So myself and Zachary have moved into our own place, this took place around 5 months before Evie was born. It was such an odd feeling when we took the plunge and moved from our family homes, I've always been incredibly family orientated and quite often found that every time I would stay the night at a friends house I would become 'home sick' - ironically I wasn't to bad with it when we moved out, I mean don't get me wrong; I cried a few times and Zachary and I had to avoid watching certain programmes or talking about certain things or I'd just burst into tears, part home sickness, part pregnancy hormones haha..but that soon passed as I still get to see them daily. Regardless we've nearly lived here a whole year! I believe its a year on the 28th February? But I'm not 100% sure. Its flown by.

Talking about a year, its just over 4 months until I've been running my blog for a year! 4th April 2016. Although - my posts aren't anywhere near as frequent as they used to be, I just don't ever really have the time...I know I could write post's whilst Evie is asleep, yet I'd much rather sit and give her a cuddle or catch up on house work...mainly give her cuddles haha. But I'm going to be making it my new years resolution to try and stick to some sort of 'uploads a month schedule'.

We've been working with so many amazing compaines, we're unbelievably lucky. We quite often recieve free goodies or work alongside buisnesses promoting their amazing bits. Head over to my instagram to have a nosey at some of the compaines, give them a follow and show them some love - @dons_steph. We've been offered so many amazing opportunities and collaborations so keep your eyes peeled!!

So what have I learnt this year?

I've learnt that not every single person you considered 'friends or family' are going to be supportive or happy for you on every occasion or every situation in your life and its okay to cut people out of your life. All that matters is family, and of course the friends that stick by you. As long as you are happy and you have individuals who do support you, what else matters?

I've learnt the responsibility of living on your own and how lucky I was when I lived at home. 

I've learnt what other mummies mean by "an instant connection" with your baby; I was lucky enough to feel this the moment I saw Evangeline, feeling a sudden wave of unconditional love, I love her more than words can describe, she's my entire world.

I've learnt just how hard it truly is to run a blog, I think I underestimated just how challenging it would be. Crazy thing is, its just under 4 months until I've had my blog a year like I mentioned above! Well until I started on WordPress on the 4th April 2016- before moving onto here. Either way, I never thought it would be as difficult to keep post coming on a regular routine or schedule but I'm hoping I can stick to a more regular upload schedule in the new year; I'm making it my new years resolution!

I've also learnt that people, or you guys reading, actually care about what I have to say, whether your a blogger yourself or just someone whoese stumbled across my blog - you, yes you, you truly are amazing. Thank you.

I've learnt unbelievable amounts, I'd be typing forever if I listed them all. So I'llstop here.

I think it's probably best to wrap it up here..haha, a bit of a Christmas pun as uts December now...you know what's coming next as I say this at the end of everrryyyyy post lol - I'm ending this post now or it'll go on for ages, and I'll speak to you in my next post.

Formula feeding and tommee tippee review :

Mummy Chats:

I wanted to do a post kind of having a ‘mummy chat’ with you beautiful bunch; I’ve been asked a few times – particularly in person as to why I didn’t breastfeed Evangeline. So I wanted to talk a little about that, so that those of you that were wondering will have an insight as to a reason why. I’m also adding in a review on our ‘Tommee Tippee closer to nature easivent feeding bottles’.

So starting right from the beginning- the whole idea of breast feeding was something that I intend to do upon finding out that I was pregnant. I had done a bit of research and spoken to my midwife about breastfeeding and formula feeding, and being completely honest after looking into the pros and cons of both, I wasn’t bothered about which one I would end up doing, in my opinion as long as your baby is gaining the nutrients he or she needs, as long as you baby is thriving why does it matter how you feed them.

I know that there a people out there that judge us mummies for making the decision to breastfeed and for choosing to formula feed – throwing negative comments about either. Anyway, going back to the decision I had made in regards to feeding our baby. As I said I did intend to breastfeed, but wasn’t to bothered either way.

I was prepared to breastfeed we had bought a breast pump, breast pads, milk storage bags – everything that we felt we needed. When packing mine and Evangeline’s hospital bag these were all things I had placed into the bags, products that we felt I would need; obviously we ended taking way more than what we needed haha. We also added a ready made formula and some bottles into our bags, just in case we needed it and boy am I glad we did. I think every first time mum has those thought’s running through their head “what if my milk doesn’t come in?”, “what if I can’t do it?” so many different thoughts, and in actual fact the reason that I couldn’t breastfeed was actually something I hadn’t heard of before, although now I’m aware that it is incredibly popular.

Your probably all thinking ‘well what was the reason then?” after Evangeline was born, I was taken into the recovery ward – this was due to having a csection. When in the recovery ward I had my first attempt at breast feeding, around 10 am. The midwife helped me to try and get Evie to latch; but she wouldn’t. Obviously I started to panic thinking that maybe I was doing it wrong, maybe she wasn’t in the correct position; the midwife said she wasn’t concerned because not every baby is hungry straight away. Which eased my mind.

Through the day up until around 6pm I was constantly trying to persuade Evangeline to latch, with the help of my mum, midwife and a breastfeeding specialist- but she just wouldn’t. I was given the option to self express and syringe my colostrum into Evangeline’s mouth; which we tried but not going to lie I was to out of it on medication that it became to much, I just wanted her to feed at this point and after around 8 hours of trying I was becoming extremely concerned and stressed, and myself and Zachary made the decision to try her on a bottle of the ready made formula – you know, the one that comes in those tiny cute bottles. And she latched straight away, feed for about 10 minutes and took 30ml or just over 1 ounce. Which was such a relief, a relief that she was finally feeding. Although I did blame myself, thinking it was the positioning or my milk. But the truth is it wasn’t either of our faults.

The next morning the paediatrician came around the ward to check Evie, to discharge her from the hospital, they do this for every baby; carrying out routine checks. Which is were the reason we couldn’t breastfeed was found, Evangeline was diagnosed with tongue-tie. It’s a condition involving the tongue  (obviously). Normally the tongue is loosely attached to the bottom of the mouth with a piece of skin called the lingual frenulum – however in babies that have tongue tie this piece of skin is particularly tight and short, preventing them from being able to breastfeed or in fact some babies can’t feed at all. Fortunately Evie’s tongue tie didn’t prevent her from feeding with a bottle. So we’re very lucky. I will say to anyone who is in the situation of their baby not latching defiantly ask for your baby to be checked for tongue tie.

Anyway, moving on. Let’s change subject to the review. Since Evie’s arrival we’ve purchased and trialled a variety of different bottles by numerous companies, however none seemed to work for Evie – I guess this is because she couldn’t quite get to grips of the bottles I suppose, or she just couldn’t work with the teat...I’m sure you understand what I mean, or at least I hope you do. But we finally found the perfect bottles for her, the Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles. These are absolutely fabulous, Evangeline latched and feeds on these bottles like a dream and I don’t think we will ever change to any other bottles. When trying other bottles we found that Evangeline would just move the teat into the side of her mouth, and a majority of the milk would end up running down her chin.
Anyway, moving swiftly on – I’m just rambling…

So lets talk about the products or bottles:
The great thing about these bottles is that the teat is shaped to help encourage natural feeding. Also meaning that it is incredibly easier for baby to switch from breast to bottle. Fortunately these bottles work extremely well for Evangeline, she has a perfect latch and doesn’t dribble or loose any milk when she is feeding, unlike some of the other bottles that we have tried. Ironically, a high percentage of babies that have tongue tie tend to be unable to feed on bottles that mimic the breast, however that isn’t the case for Evie. The bottles we bought came in a set of 6, all of which had attached a slow flow teat – suitable from birth up. They are BPA free and can be held 3 different ways and offer the most natural feeding position. Our bottles in specific come in two sizes, 150ml and 260ml – we used the 150ml up until Evie was around 1 month old, and now use the 260ml. Another thing I love about these bottles, is due to the size Evie can easily grip and hold onto the body of the bottle, I really hope you know what I mean by body lol.

I love these bottles and would strongly recommend them. We also use the tommee tippee dummies, which are just as fab!

I’m going to end my review and chit-chat here, other wise it’ll probably end up being 320,967 pages long haha, thank you for reading; and I’ll speak to you in my next post.

My pregnancy journey:

Looking back:

As I’m going rather in depth into my pregnancy journey this will probably be quite a long post, I wanted to point out that this post is to enable me to be able to look back at my pregnancy experience, so I will be including every event that took place; negative and positive, but for the most part it will be about the positive event’s of my pregnancy. ♡ 

Wednesday 6th July 2016, 39 week’s exactly; this was my last full day of pregnancy with Evangeline- it was the day before my caesarean, the day before we welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world. 

It’s such an amazing thing pregnancy, the fact your body is carrying, protecting and growing a tiny human; a tiny little person made up of yours and your partners DNA. 

I found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks, I remember as clear as day taking a pregnancy test and sitting waiting for the results. Seeing those 2 pink faint lines appearing was honestly amazing, so overwhelming, but so amazing. 

The beginning of my pregnancy was fairly scary – due to having problems with my fallopian tubes and being high risk I was ordered by my gynaecologist to head straight to the hospital for scans and blood tests, if I ever discovered I was pregnant. I recall sitting in the waiting room anxiously waiting to be called in to have all required tests carried out; we then had to wait a few days for the results- which was terrifying. But after many days of patiently waiting we finally received the results and thankfully everything looked perfect and our teeny tiny baby was thriving and growing just how she should be. 

The beginning of my pregnancy was actually really quite easy, fortunately I was one of the lucky ones and didn’t experience any morning sickness or all day sickness and would just feel a bit nauseous at times; which is great because I hate being sick. I really do feel for people who have morning sickness, or just sickness in general – it must be awful. ☆ 

Throughout my pregnancy I barely gained any weight either, I gained in total around 1 stone 6oz which to some people isn’t a lot, as some women gain 2, 3, 4 + stone; I was definitely all baby – and for those of you that will say “obviously you wasn’t eating enough if you didn’t gain a lot of weight.” I was consuming the perfect amount suited to me and Evie and the recommended calorie intake throughout my pregnancy. Another thing I guess that is food related, is I didn’t really experience any cravings. I mean I had 1 or 2 in my entire pregnancy and they were pure orange juice, sausage roles and quavers – not the most exciting things haha. But not to many, or nothing to strange; for example my nan liked to suck coal or sniff wellingtons...thankfully mine were pretty ordinary haha. 

I had actually a very smooth pregnancy, I mean don’t get me wrong it was far from perfect. I had a few problems throughout my pregnancy- several hospital visits, appointments and numerous different tests on a regular basis, but as smooth and as perfect as it could be for me. So I was very lucky. 

So talking a bit about the problems or the negative side before the positives that occurred during my pregnancy. Somewhere between the 8th and 10th week of my pregnancy I had a bleed and ended up in A&E, obviously I was thinking of the worse possible out come; but after several tests it reviled that everything looked fabulous, luickly! ♡ So quite a bit further into my pregnancy unfortunately the same thing happened between the 30th - 32nd week of my pregnancy – I had another bleed which ended up with me being checked into hospital being monitored for several hours, being visited by different doctors, different tests being carried out to ensure that baby was ok – which luckily she was! Oh, and to check that I was okay too; but Evie was my priority! Either way, luckily we both received  a clean bill of health and were aloud to go home. 

Being completely honest, I spent had hospital visits on a regular basis, I was being monitored probably every other week or so- I know people are going to think “god, she’s a tad over cautious.” But I’ll explain why, it was all in relation to Evie’s movements...in the womb she would move actually quite a bit (I loved feeling her wriggling around in my tummy – such an amazing feeling) her average kick count was around 18+ movements a day; this included kicks, rolls, pokes all the things I was told to monitor by my midwife. However at times Evangeline would have extreme decreases in her movements, going from 18 to 5 or sometimes none at all – so under the recommendations of my midwife I’d head to the hospital to be monitored ensuring that she was ok – better to be safe than sorry! Towards the end of my pregnancy Evangeline’s movement’s rapidly decreased and 4 days before my scheduled caesarean I headed to the hospital after talking to my midwife and was monitored for around 3 hours; during this time there were major increases and decreases in her heartrate dropping to 110 and sky rocketing up to 240 in a matter of minutes – which was extremely scary I’ve never felt so scared in my life; so after hours of monitoring and different doctors, discussions of moving my C-section forward and further monitoring; thankfully her heartrate remained within normal range and her movements balanced and everything was perfect. 

So moving on, lets talk about more positive things. 

Other than the above situations my pregnancy was as smooth and perfect as it could possibly be; every midwife visit was positive, every consultant appointment was fabulous, every scan went amazing – and overall my pregnancy was such an amazing and magical experience. 

I absolutely loved being pregnant, I loved every little thing about being pregnant, about carrying our beautiful, perfect little girl until the day we finally met her. I cherished being pregnant and enjoyed every moment. 

Taking bumpies weekly watching my bump grow – until eventually I could no longer see my feet haha. Heading to scans watching her moving and fidgeting around, seeing just how much she had grown since the last appointment; how each time the sonographer would struggle to fit her whole body on the screen and eventually all we could see was her head, listening to her heartbeat at home – which I found very therapeutic. 

Feeling and watching our little baby girl wriggling around and moving into different positions; her favourite was sitting in a ball on the left side of my bump – in fact she spent a majority of the time, pretty much the entire pregnancy curled up on my left side, I had a rather odd shaped bump kind of, ya’no...a bit off centre haha; but hey, at least she was comfortable!  I loved our family time, Zachary and I would sit snuggled on the sofa or on our bed; he’d sit and talk to my bump, talking to Evie; hugging my bump feeling her wiggle too. I much prefer our family snuggles now though being able to cuddle her and kiss her chubby little cheeks. ♡ 

I’d sit with Zachary and my family and we’d talk about what she’d look like, how much hair she’d have, her eye colour and how much she’d weigh at birth. But she’s even more beautiful, even more perfect than we could’ve ever imagined. ♡ 

My pregnancy journey was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in my life (obviously meeting Evangeline tops everything I’ve ever experienced and nothing will ever beat that) and I wouldn’t change it for the world. We now have our beautiful, perfect, loving, cheeky little lady – and I couldn’t be any happier, I  love her more than anything.