Letter to Jed: Things I've learnt over the last few months

Dear Jed,

 

As it's New Year's Eve, I thought I'd jot down just a few things I've learnt over the last 6 months.

 

Baby sneezes are the cutest thing ever. Fact.

 

When you were tiny I could eat my tea faster than I ever thought possible, if I was trying to eat it before you woke up again.

 

Baby clothes look so sweet and tiny on the washing line.

 

You can never have too many muslin cloths. (More so when you were a little newbie as you brought your milk up A LOT).

 

You have a cheeky grin which I think will get you out of and probably into mischief a fair few times over the years.

 

Watching you try new foods for the first time is hilarious, your expressions go from 'what's this' to 'I don't like it' to 'maybe I do' in a matter of seconds.

 

You and your feet seem to be determined that nothing except socks will stay on them and I think you only keep socks on so that they are there for you to pull off your feet when you feel like it.

 

We should all take a leaf out of your book and smile as soon as we wake up and be as excited by everything new as you are.

 

You think Saxon is fascinating.

 

You are always smiling and if you're not you soon will be if I quack like a duck.

 

You can never truly understand the true extent to which your parents love you until you have a child of your own.

 

Love always,

 

Mum x

Letter to Jed: Your first Christmas and New Year

Dear Jed,

 

Time is simply racing by now. So much has happened over the last month, you turned 6 months old, started trying solid food, had your first Christmas and now it's New Year's Eve.

 

Last New Year's Eve we heard your heartbeat for the first time and now a year on you are this gorgeous, smiley, cheeky chappy. I can't get over just how happy you are, even at the moment when you are teething (as you cut your first tooth yesterday) you still grin every time you see something you like, which seems to be all the time.

 

We had a lovely first Christmas with you and you seemed to enjoy yourself too, who doesn't like wrapping paper and pretty lights on a tree hey!

 

Enjoying a spot of Christmas lunch, wearing a hat proudly like your Dad.

 

 

I couldn't resist dressing you up in a Santa and then an Elf outfit and having a mini photo shoot, not sure if you'll thank me for those photos when you are 18, but I couldn't resist you looked so darn cute, see!

 

People often ask if I'm enjoying motherhood, how could I not be, you are a constant source of light and love in our lives.

 

 

We love you always,

 

Mum x

 

Letter to Jed: Your Christening

Dear Jed,

So last Sunday, 14th of September 2014, was your Christening.

 

You're obviously not going to remember it, but I'll be sure to show you photos and tell you about it, let me start now.

 

You were Christened in Garboldisham Church surrounded by family and friends. It was lovely as so many friends turned up and family came from all over. Uncle Chris and Aunt Olivia win the prize for distance travelled though as they came all the way from Malaysia.

 

You had a cute little waistcoat and bow tie on and looked very dapper. Many people commented on it :-) although we couldn't manage to keep your little shoes on you.  

As always you were good as gold, you even slept through some of the service, I had to wake you for your big moment. Lots of people mentioned how good you were throughout the service and how you didn't seem to mind at all when you had the water poured over your head. I think that's because we've been doing that to you for ages in the bath.

Afterwards we went to the village hall, it looked so pretty. Your Dad had lined out the hall (all by himself) so that it looked like the inside of a marquee,  it was lovely! We had balloons and flowers on the tables,  by the time you read this you'll know how much I love balloons, and they were all still flying high in the morning which wasn't a guarantee so I was very pleased! You had two gorgeous cakes, we had some photos of you up and people wrote wishes for you and placed them in a jar. I hope to add to them over the years, what started as a wish jar will turn into a jar of keepsakes and little notes about things I'd like you to know in the future like moments we've all shared.

We couldn't have hoped for you to be any happier or more chilled out while we were out than you were, you even fell asleep on Auntie Sue and Keira. I don't remember you grumbling once, was great for others to get to see what we see on a daily basis. 

 

Everyone came together to celebrate with you and that's what I'll remember for years to come, how lovely it was to have so many close friends and family all under one roof, I hope you know just how loved you are.

 

Love always,  Mum x

  

Letter to Jed: Your Granny and Grandad

Dear Jed,

This letter is for you, to talk to you about your Granny and Grandad.

Both Granny and Grandad were absolutely over the moon when I told them they were going to be Grandparents, and it was lovely to share our excitement over the months until you arrived.

Your middle name Henry is a family name, it was your Great Grandad's name (Granny's dad) and your Great Great Grandad's name (Grandad's favourite Grandad), I hope you like it, needless to say they were both happy when they heard it on the 15th of June. We named you within about a minute of your arrival, but you'd called the name your own for less than an hour or so when I spoke to Granny.

By the time you are able to read this you will know how important family is, and always has been to me, and that is my reason for this letter, to say thank you.

I want to say thank you, because not only have you made me a parent, and every day I'm discovering more and more reasons to be thankful for that, but you have given my parents a new role as Grandparents too.

Every time you smile at them and in truth even when you grumble, I can feel the love emanating off them and wrapping its way around you, like a Patronus (hopefully by the time you read this you'll know what that is). As a result my relationship with my parents has started down a completely new path too.
One where i'm not only their daughter but your Mum too. It's hard to put into words how it has changed but it has, in the best possible way and that's down to you little man.

So as i write this, while listening to you gently snoring in your moses basket, I say again, thank you!

I love you always, Mum x

Letter to Jed: Weight Gain

You are the best stone I've ever carried.

Love always, Mum x

Letter to Jed: 2 months

Dear Jed,

You are 2 months old today! If I thought the first two weeks went quickly that is nothing compared to how quickly the last two months have flown by.

I swear that every time I pick you up out of your moses basket in the morning you've grown since I put you down the night before.  You always have this look on your face like you're excited to see what the day will bring, it's so sweet. Especially as you are swaddled, so you look like a little caterpillar with just your head poking out.

You've started smiling now, it's adorable, I'm not always sure whether it's a genuine smile or whether you've got wind, but as Grandad said the other day it really doesn't matter,  it's just beautiful to see your whole face light up!

You stare at us more now and chortle and chat away, especially in the mornings, you seem so intent on what you are saying, I have a feeling you'll be a little chatterbox when you're older.

I love it when you stare at us so intently with your gorgeous baby blues, which are a deep blue/slate colour at the moment,  I wonder every day how/if they will change.

It's such a weird one,  because on one hand I cannot wait to see your personality develop but I know, as people keep reminding me, that you'll be all grown up in the blink of an eye, and I want to enjoy you while you are so sweet and tiny and while you still seem to love falling asleep on either mine or your Dad's chests.

Just remember we love you always,

Mum x

Letter to Jed: 2 weeks

Dear Jed,

I can't believe you are already 2 weeks old. It's crazy because on one hand the last 2 weeks have absolutely flown by, but at the same time it seems insane to think that it has only been 2 weeks since you came into the world,  I feel like you have been part of our lives forever. 

I absolutely loved being pregnant with you,  I think I was lucky because you made it so easy for me, but I was so ready to meet you by the time your due date came. You didn't keep us waiting long and made your appearance on Father's day, which was a lovely present for your Dad.

People tell you before you become a parent that you'll never worry so much but you'll never love someone so much either and they couldn't be more spot on! I have worried that I'm picking you up too much or not enough, I've worried because you lost so much weight to start with and I don't think I've ever cried so much in such a short space of time at the idea that you weren't getting what you needed from me and I was so worried when they said you might need to go back into hospital, but we're getting there you and I, we're both learning and I need to remember that. Every time they tell me you've put on a bit more weight I feel so proud and happy!

You are currently fast asleep in my arms and I feel like my heart could melt every time I look at you. You already have your Dad and I in stitches with some of the faces/poses you pull.

I think Saxon is a bit wary of you when you cry, but otherwise he sits near your cot a lot and I can't wait for you two to be best of friends when you are older.

It's such a strange mix of wanting you to stay as small as you are now (although keep putting on weight please), but being so excited to see how you will develop and how your personality will shine through.

Just don't grow up too fast hey baby!

Love always,

Mum x

My first letter to you: to pass on, the possibilities are endless

Most of the below crossed my mind when i thought we were pregnant but before it was even confirmed,  but I thought I'd like to write it down now :0)

So, it's only 10 days until your due and as i sit here with you nudging me :0) I can't stop thinking about what you'll be like, who you'll be like and whether you'll have any of the following traits.

Like your Dad's lighthearted,  easy going nature and gorgeous curly hair. How practical and logical he can be and his ability to be good at anything he tries/puts his mind to. Or my love of languages and ability to lose myself in a book and how I love trying new crafts. Maybe even my love of  photography, which I got from your Grandad, as it really does open your eyes to sights others don't always see.

Other traits which I can't take credit for as they were passed down to me by your Granny and Grandad, for which I am grateful...

...Remember family is important and I hope you feel as I do that you have strong roots, but also wings for wherever you choose life to take you. That's the beauty of strong foundations,  no matter how far you go or how long you're gone, the bond is as solid as it has always been. Some things can't be rocked.

Try something new as often as you can but also take comfort in the things that make you smile on a daily basis. Your Granny and Grandad let me and your aunt and uncle try as many activities as we wanted when we were growing up and I will always be grateful for that.

Your Granny and Grandad worked very hard so that Uncle Chris, Auntie Lila and I could have the life we have and the interesting, fun and happy childhood we did and your Dad and I promise to always strive to be able to provide the same for you.

Have faith in what your heart feels as well as what your head is telling you.

Treat others how you would like someone to treat your loved ones and don't forget to stick up for the underdog, sometimes people can't always make themselves heard, so if you can help someone out then you should.

Never stop asking questions.  Have an open mind and conviction in your beliefs. 

If you find something you are passionate about,  hold on to it and don't let go!

We will always be here for you and I promise you will always be able to tell us anything that is on your mind, we will always listen.

I hope you have a full and happy life, that you make many great friends along the way and make some fantastic memories for yourself.

Some regrets will come along the way, they always do, learn from them and move on. Don't hold on to them or hold grudges, your heart will be so much lighter for it.

Go out and make yourself proud and most of all remember that your Dad and I love you x

2014 photo a day off to start

I was a bit slack towards the end of last year, but I started off 2014 how I hope to continue.

So, to celebrate I thought I’d put together my month in photos thanks to my trusty phone…

01. Lunch {post lunch activity, filling in a new diary, love it} // 02. Begins with G {gorgeous chocolates, thanks to an adorable friend} //  03. My Town {well village, with stormy skies}

04. Words to live by {good advice I think} // 05. Found {my favourite chocolate} // 06. Happens every day {Saxon makes me smile} // 07. Upside Down {Dan’s jigsaw globe from a different angle}

 

08. Lucky Number {not sure I have a lucky number, but 2 is my favourite} // 09. Natural {gorgeous walk} // 10. Manmade {love still seeing these around}

 

 

11. Looking down {from the cliff top to the beach} // 12. Colourful {the lighthouse we walked around this morning} // 13. Makes me smile {buying baby clothes} // 14. 3 Things {Needed for a lovely night, my good friend Lorna, cinema and ice cream}

 

15. Black & White {what I’m currently reading} // 16. Sun {it was quite hard to find today} // 17. Tiny {centre of one of the flowers that Dan got me to celebrate my promotion today}

  

 

18. Happy place {snuggled up on the sofa with Saxon} // 19. Breakfast {gorgeous melon} // 20. To do list {pick up my needles and start knitting} // 21. Blue {Saxon’s first toy, 7 years old and still going strong}

 

22. Nice! {Lovely homemade toys by my Mum for the little one} // 23. Bedtime {you've got to have a book to read} // 24. Your space {one of my favourite spaces in the house}

 

 

25. A taste of winter {rain pouring down} // 26. Fun stuff! {celebrating my lovely friend’s 30th} // 27. Something I bought {funky turquoise knitting needles} // 28. Dinner {after dinner treat, chocolate cake}

29. Window {Eyes, the window to the soul} // 30. Best invention ever {for me right now, it's being able to see our baby on screen} // 31. Polka dot {with lovely flowers from my mum}

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the house...

We first called our own.

Where I fell down the stairs, all of them, because I was so excited that we were getting a puppy.

Where we first brought Saxon home.

Where we hand reared a lamb (yes, you did read that right, see…).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where crow’s feet have developed from laughing so hard my ribs hurt. Sometimes at each other, many times at Saxon and sometimes for no real reason at all.

Where we’ve danced around like loons.

Where we talked about our future.

It might have only been 4 walls and a roof, but it was our first home and what it held inside means the world.

 

This is the place, the three of us left for the last time.

 

Time Flies...

I knew it had been a while since I had written a blog, but I didn’t realise the last one was in April 2013, time for a catch up I think.

 Well it’s been quite a busy year for us; we put the house on the market and finally sold it, yay!

 

We moved in with my parents for a bit (thank you again so much Mum and Dad!)

 

Had a beautiful holiday abroad, moved straight into our new home the day we got back and are now expecting a family of our own, with a little one due in mid June ;o)

 

That’s a pretty exciting year, even if I do say so myself.