Dear Quinn: Turning one

Dear Quinn,

Today is your first birthday, and as I write this you are fast asleep on me. All worn out from your family birthday party.

The first photo was taken in the hospital and this is now...

I have no idea, none, ningún idea where the last year has gone. It has been the fastest year ever. I feel like I've blinked and suddenly you are this toddling, inquisitive gorgeous little treasure.

As we thought you would, you took your first steps last weekend and are now toddling along, Jed gets very excited when you do and shouts "look people he's walking". So cute.

I'm asked all the time what it's like having two and the truth is you are an absolute sweetheart, so chilled out and happy. You seem to be so pleased with your little world, you smile so easily and wholeheartedly. The way you grin when you see me is something I will always be grateful for.  

Like I said, you've started toddling and you are so pleased when you do but you are still such a speedy crawler. You can sense the gate being left open a mile off and you are straight out of there and up the stairs as quick as you can. You know you are being cheeky because when we follow you, you grin back at us and then try to speed up. Ooh, I must say though, thank you for starting to walk before I went back to work, I didn't want to miss it and used to get sad just thinking about it. 

You like turning the pages of books. You love tidying things away, like today, you liked putting your presents back into the bags and putting some ducks you got into another box etc, so sweet. Your favourite thing though is posting items over the side of your cot, books, toys, you name it, you think it's so funny. 

You have been so determined to walk and since you started toddling you then started clapping the next day too. I can't wait to see all the things you are going to learn. 

You love taking off your socks and leaving them everywhere, but if I ask you where they are you'll go and get one for me. I swear today you even signed socks when I asked you.

You are so easy going, Jed will often grab toys off you or play a bit roughly or squeeze you a little too hard when kissing you, he does so love to kiss and cuddle you, his latest thing is leaning over you in your highchair and "kissing Quinn's soft head" and you seem to take it all in your stride. Grumbling occasionally, but not as much as you'd expect and just moving on in a heartbeat. 

Today has been a really nice chilled out day seeing family. It started with you sleeping through the night, yay you! And me waking at exactly 7:01, which was when you were born, how cool is that.

Early morning selfie...

We've opened presents, you received some lovely things, Jed even let you play with some of them 😊  there was food (probably the highlight of your day) and cake, loads of smiles, giggles, a tear or two (yours when we had to shut the gate to stop you going up the stairs and one or two of mine, when Daddy was drying you after your bath and we were saying about you being one, it's just so crazy!)

I made you take a lot of photos today, sorry, but I do so love capturing the memories. We even recreated the photo that Lila took just after we'd brought you home last year.

I hope you've had a lovely day sweetheart and as fun a year as we've had. We are very grateful to have you in our lives.

Love always,

Mummy x

Dear Jed: Questions

Dear Jed,

You are so full of questions at the moment, from Why (a lot) to many other funny, inquisitive things.

Today, Monday 13th of November 2017 you have asked me...

Mummy, do birds have ears?

Mummy, where does your voice come from?
   ... Which then after we'd been talking         about it led you to say...

Isn't it weird to have a box in your throat? 😉

Mummy, where does the sun live?
... Followed by...

But where does it go?

Love it!!

I promise to always try and answer as best as I can and to look it up with you when I don't know.

Love always,
Mummy x

Dear Jed: Dream journal 03Nov2017

Dear Jed,

So, today over lunch I decided that I'm going to miss down some of the dreams you tell me about that make me smile as I don't want to forget them and who knows, maybe one day they'll be writing inspiration for one of us, or just a bit of fun.

At lunch today you told me...

"Last night Mummy I dreamt that I was inside a bottle, bobbing along in the water. Not a bottle like mine (pointing at your blue cup) but like...dramatic pause... That one, with the red lid!"

"Wow, how did you fit into something that small?" I asked.

"I squeezed in of course!"

Love it! At the grand old age of 3 and 5 months... Can't wait to hear more as you get older.

Love always,
Mummy x

Dear Jed: Carrying on the tradition

Dear Jed:

So, as I'm sure you will know by the time you read this, I dream. A lot. I also seem to remember them a lot.

Granny has always said how Grandad Henry (who you get your middle name from) always used to tell them about the dreams he'd had at breakfast too, and now you are carrying on that tradition.

On the 26th Oct 17 you came out with the following, which made me smile a lot.

Jed: Mummy last night I dreamt I was on a train.
Me: that sounds fun, where did you go on the train
Jed: to the mountains and a bear told me about my future.

Love it!!

Love always,
Mummy x

Dear Jed: First day of preschool

Dear Jed:

I thought I'd make a note of a few random things about you on your first day of preschool, which was on Monday 4th of September 2017.

You love:
*Octonauts
*Spotting tractors (you like naming them all Masey Fergiskin (hee hee) John Deere, New Holland), combine harvesters, ploughs, you name it!
*Running around making the sounds of the emergency services and getting us to do the same.
*Being outside in the sandpit or driving your green tractor.
*Jumping in muddy puddles.
*Cuddling Quinn
*Favourite colour is red, purple, yellow and green (apparently!)

You want to be a fireman when you are older.

Love you always,

Mummy x

Dear Quinn: 10 months

Dear Quinn,

Oh my, you've hit double figures. I can't actually believe it! Where on earth is the time going. I have to admit in the last few days I've actually started thinking about your birthday party. Oh my!!!

I normally make a note of names we call you at the moment. Well for you, as Jed often reminds me "Mummy, Quinn's name is Quinn, Quinneth, happy old soul (he heard Nanny say it and thought she'd renamed you), sweetheart or little darling". That last one is all Jed, he said he made it up just for you. I know when you read this it might seem silly to make a note of, but we might have forgotten by then, and I don't want to forget these little things.

I can't keep writing without saying that honestly your little face would brighten up the stormiest of days...and yes, I know, I'm biased, but I don't think I'm the only one who thinks this. When you smile, which is nearly all the time, your WHOLE face lights up...I adore and I mean adore! how you can just be going about your own business and then you catch our eyes, or someone walks in the room and you grin at us like we are the best thing you've ever seen. Having someone look at you like that is such a privilege.

You are into EVERYTHING at the moment, you are a speed crawler and like to pull yourself up all the time. You've even started walking the length of the sofa while holding on (oh lord I really don't think walking will be that far away), mainly to get to Saxon who you are fascinated with, but who sadly is a bit wary of you.

You can sense the gate being left open a mile away and you zoom out of it, into the kitchen into the drawers, trying to climb up the stairs, into the bathroom, you name it you want to see it all.

I don't think you really have a favourite toy as such, but your love balloons. Especially if they are on a stick that you can wave around.

You will eat anything it seems and have learnt now that if you throw something on the floor Saxon will eat it, which you seem to like doing just so that he'll sit under the highchair.

You clamber all over us when we sit on the floor and will climb over anything in your way, you are one determined little crawler.

You are getting better at sleeping the last few nights (touch wood!) but you've been having a spell of being awake between 2:30 and 4:00, not upset, just awake. Standing up in your cot, hitting me on the head to make sure i'm awake, shouting at the top of your voice, you name it. You little weirdo ;o)

You are pure sunshine sweetheart, you really are! Thank you for making our little family complete.

Love you always,

Mummy x

Dear Jed: toddler test

Dear Jed,

One of Auntie Lila's friends posted the following toddler test a while back and the idea is that we ask you guys questions and just have a bit of fun seeing what the answers might be. Well I did it then, and I did it a bit more recently and I thought it might be fun to document to see how your answers change over the years. So here goes...

Nov 2016: (Age 2+5)
What's your name- Jed
How old are you- 2
When is your birthday- not yet
How old is Mummy - 2
What's your fav colour- green and yellow
Fav food- biscuits
Fav animal- cats
Fav song- dance lady (meghan trainor's better when I'm dancing)
Best friend- daddy
What are you scared of- nothing
What makes you happy- music
Where's your fav place to go- slides
What do you want to be when you are older- music
What does love mean- love means love you

Jul 2017: (Age 3+1)
What's your name- Jed (and you got your surnames right)
How old are you- 3
When is your birthday- just right now
How old is Mummy - old
What's your fav colour- blue
Fav food- chicken
Fav animal- horsey
Fav song- when he hears the fire alarm (fireman sam)
Best friend- daddy
What are you scared of- a dragon
What makes you happy- a butterfly
Where's your fav place to go- to the barn (playbarn)
What do you want to be when you are older- a policeman
What does love mean- it means to cuddle

Dear Quinn: This age, 8 months

Dear Quinn,

I recently wrote a letter to Jed about how nice his age is at the moment and I wanted to write one to you too.

You are currently 8 months and it is the most gorgeous age.

You took your time waiting to sit up, but you seem to have wanted to wait until you could totally master it and now there's no stopping you. I even wake up sometimes in the night (about a nano second after you've stirred by the way) and you are already sitting up in your crib staring at me!

You are into EVERYTHING. You can't crawl yet, but that isn't stopping you, you roll, over and over and over again until you get to where you want to be.

You could spot the tiniest speck of anything on the floor, and it goes in your mouth in a heartbeat.

Your face lights up when you see people. Grandad Hill says that your face could brighten up a grey day. Your whole face changes when you smile, it simply lights up! Especially when you look at Jed.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the little babbles and sounds you make are adorable.

You can tell you are constantly learning and we can see you taking everything in and having a good old nose when something happens near you.

You are so determined, when you are struggling to get somewhere or do something you want to do, you just keep slogging away.

You are just so pleased with the world and everyone in it (ooh Elizabeth Bennet to Jane Bennet anyone?)

It's a funny age too, because on one hand it is so exciting to see you reach new milestones, but it is also poignant to know you are becoming more independent.

You are happy.
You are adorable.
You are curious.
You are determined.
You are resilient.

You like chewing books.
You are ticklish, especially on your tummy.
You love jumping and I do mean jumping in the jumperoo.
You always fall asleep in the car.
You love food!
Your eyes are still a lovely deep blue colour, but becoming more like the rest of ours all the time.
You are getting more hair, with a little tuft at the back (I wonder if yours will be curly like Jed's).
You are fascinated with Saxon.
You often seem bemused by Jed's antics.

You are 8 months old already and growing up too fast.

Love always,
Mummy x

P.s have just noticed there's a pair of Jed's pants in the background, as I'm sure you are already aware it's because he is constantly taking them off and leaving them anywhere! 

Dear Jed: This age

Dear Jed,

I had someone come up to us the other day in the supermarket, ask how old you were and say "ah isn't it the best age" and it got me thinking, because in amongst the daily battles, (I mean how many times do I need to ask you to find your shoes or be gentle with your brother before I lose my mind) it is sometimes easy to get a bit lost and not be able to see the woods for the trees. Because when I think about it, yes, this is such a great age... But boy, is it a seesaw of a ride.

For every boundary pushed there are countless more new things you're learning.

And

For every argument we have, there's a 100 conversations where you either remind me of something that happened ages ago (your memory is superb!), or create a whole story or situation that has me giggling, or just chat away enthusiastically.

You are fascinated by vehicles, especially anything with a siren, and tractors and are constantly on the look out for them on every journey. Like today, you were curious if we'd see any on the way to Knettishall and you came out with "Lila keep your eyes out for a police car or ambulance or fire engine (you get more excited as you go through each one) but not you mummy". I asked why not and you said "because you've got to keep your eyes on the road of course!" which made us chuckle. You then proceeded to tell Lila about when we saw a fire engine a few weeks ago on the way to see Rach and Max. You have so much passion for these things, it's a joy to hear you talk about them.

You like me to read you "a made up story in your head" at the moment, and you get so excited by all the little details and get me to add to it all the time. I love how creatively your mind works.

So although yes there are days when I feel like a broken record, or the biggest kill joy. I can't help it, on top of all the fun learning that is so important, I also do need you to eat some tea, or get ready for bed, or not squeeze your brother too hard...  (you always find your dad so much more fun) or that we've clashed more than we've clicked, I just wanted to write down how much I do love this age.

You can be stubborn, but I'm glad you know your own mind.

You can be easily distracted but you find interest in everything.

You can be sometimes annoyingly (sorry) repetitive but you are so passionate about what you like.

You can be heavy handed but yet also incredibly sweet and kind.

In short...

You are bright.
You are inquisitive.
You are cheeky.
You are hilarious.
You are brave.
You are a sweetheart.
You are confident.

You are three.

Love always,
Mummy x

Dear Quinn: Just enjoying the moment

Dear Quinn, 

It's just a regular Wednesday afternoon and Jed is at Nanny and Grandad's. So whereas normally when you nap I have to put you down so that my hands are free, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays I just sit and cuddle you and I love it! Yes, I could be tidying or something else... But that can all wait. This is what is important.

 You are so cosy and warm and your face is so smudgy and cute. You are getting so big, your feet are almost touching my knees, how did you get so tall?!  

I know that this won't last, one of these days it will be the last time. Soon you will be too big to fall asleep on me the way you do. Jed doesn't anymore. The idea of never having these sleepy cuddles again makes me sad. I hope I remember what it was like. So I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts and say thank you for all the gorgeous cuddles (same goes to you Jed!), kiss your little forehead, rest my chin on your head and listen to the adorable little sighs you make. 

Love you. Always. 

Mummy x

Dear Quinn: Your Christening

Dear Quinn,
        aka. Sweetheart, Dimples, Bright Eyes and Gorgeous.

So yesterday (or ages ago, as it's taken me a while to post this) 11th June 2017 was your Christening.

You won't remember it, but we've taken lots of photos to show you and I'll tell you about it, let me start now.

Just like Jed (well and me) you were Christened in Garboldisham Church. We were lucky to have a church full of family and friends from all over. Uncle Chris, Aunt Olivia and Thalia win the prize for distance travelled again as they came all the way from Dubai.

Daddy and I had picked a cute little outfit of navy trousers with braces, a white shirt and a cute bow tie. You looked very dapper. Lots of people said how cute you looked.

You were an absolute star, you didn't make a fuss at all, chatting away in your car seat and then didn't make a sound when you had the oil and the water on you. So many people said how good you were, and how lucky we are...which we are!!!

Afterwards we went to the village hall, now we couldn't make it look like a marquee for you, like your Dad did for Jed, as he's retraining, but we made it look pretty with lots of lovely balloons, flowers and games. You'll know soon enough how much I love balloons. Thankfully they were still flying high in the morning.

Mary made you a gorgeous cakes, we had some photos of you up and people wrote wishes for you and placed them in a jar. I'll add to it over the years, what started as a wish jar will turn into a jar of keepsakes of notes from over the years, that's my hope anyway.

I loved that our family and friends got to see you, and see your true nature, happy, smiley and so pleased with the world. You even fell asleep on Anne for a while. I didn't hear a peep out of you for ages.

As always, all the above was great, but it's the people and the memories that matter. Family is so important to me sweetheart, something I know you'll know as you grow up. I hope you always know how loved you are. I wish wings for you so you can go wherever you heart desires and roots too, so you always know where you came from and that you know the bonds of our family are strong.

Love always, Mummy x 

Dear Boys: Just a day in the life

Dear Boys,

Now this is a bit of a different one for me to post, but I thought it was important to. Can't have Light without the Shade too hey.

So, Jed you've all of a sudden starting waking up about 6, sometimes earlier. Which, I know by lots of parents standards is not that early...but for you it's almost 2 hours earlier than normal, and not being a morning person (and with Daddy going to work early) has been really hard for me.

So on this particular day (Sat 22Jul17, a college day for Daddy) you'd gotten up really early, you now climb out of bed and also manage to somehow climb over the stair gate at your door and you waltz in to our room, making a lot of noise...not only waking me but also Quinn (who also likes waking up a lot later!).

So, needless to say this was a day when I was tired and grumpy...so were you as you were also tired and kept saying you shouldn't have woken up so early!

Well, we managed to have a nice time in the sandpit when the sun was out, but other than that I'm afraid to say that this was one of those days when we watched too much TV (although you weren't complaining), I was too snappy and tired (believe me when I say I'm sorry, and the Mum guilt always gets you), and if you took a snapshot of our lives, it wouldn't be a day I'd want to look back on that often...as we seemed to be clashing almost constantly, but I feel like it's important to document all the same.

You both fell asleep in the afternoon. Synchronized napping, not something that EVER happens...I wasn't able to fall asleep but it was still great to recharge my batteries too, and then you both woke up at the exact same moment and were completely full of beans and smiles and it was like having different children. Oh the power of a little sleep hey!

You were lying on the mat together later and Quinn you grabbed Jed's hand. It was so sweet. Jed to which you then said "You're my best friend Quinn". I melted a little I'm not going to lie!!

As I said if you'd taken a snapshot of the morning it wouldn't be one i'd want to put on the wall, but it would be a real portrait of parental life, and in that respect it's important to remember and not gloss over. Because as cliche as it sounds, what they say about it being the hardest job in the world is spot on... At the moment we are your carers, your teachers, your nurse, your chef, your protector, your cleaner (and many more besides). Quite simply put, your parents...and we wouldn't change it for the world. The days might be long, but my goodness me the years are short.

Thank you for making me smile more than you ever make me frown. I really hope that when you think back on these days that the smiles outweigh the grumpiness from me too!

Love always,

Mummy x

Dear Jed: You're 3!

Dear Jed,
        aka. Gorgeous, Sweetheart and Poppet.

So a few weeks ago you turned 3! THREE! TRES! How? I honestly have no idea where the years have gone.

We had a lovely birthday week for you, as Uncle Chris, Aunt Olivia and Thalia were over from Dubai for Quinn's Christening, just a few days before your birthday. So we did lots of nice things throughout the week, rather than one party.

We had Quinn's Christening. Went to the zoo, which Uncle Chris was really looking forward to. Had fun in the garden with Thalia, and even had a photo shoot with Kathy (who took our wedding photos)...this was a present for Granny and Grandad and was on your actual birthday. We had great weather and got lots of lovely photos, which is great!

Every year I've taken the same photo of you on each birthday with a balloon outside and also (well and quite a few months in between) on your rocking chair with Smokey, and I just LOVE seeing how you've changed. Sorry, but I'll be keeping this up for a while yet...even when you get older and I'm sure you'll be like "Mum, do I have to?"

See? Look how  much you've changed!

You had the most awesome (and I can say that as all I did was think it up rather than make it) Octonauts cake, it was really cool, Lisa did a great job as always! Auntie Heidi and co had got you some really cool Gups to put on the top of it and then keep and play with after.

It was also a bittersweet afternoon though, as Uncle Chris, Aunt Olivia and Thalia had to leave to get back to the airport to catch their flight home....and it seems to get harder to say goodbye every time! I do wish we all lived closer to each other, as I'd love you all to be able to play together often, like you can with Keira and Abbie.

In the evening, after you'd opened all your presents, we decided to go out for tea, so you, me, daddy, Quinn and Auntie Lila headed out. The meal was lovely and you and Quinn were so well behaved...and every time we've driven past there since you've said "that's where we went with Auntie Lila on my birthday". You don't forget a thing!

I think and hope you had a great week and a fun filled birthday, and here's to making many more memories over the years to come.

You've grown into such an inquisitive, chatty (you wouldn't believe how many people, even those who've only just met you, comment on how chatty you are), confident, clever little boy..albeit challenging at times, but that's just your age and as you discover more about the world around you. You are besotted, if at times a little heavy handed, with Quinn, and I honestly could not have wished for you to love him as much as you do.

We are incredibly proud of you sweetheart. Remember that forever and always.

Love always,

Mummy x

Letter to my boys: Another year older.

Today is the 30th May 2017 and my 33rd birthday.

Every year I really can't believe my luck. I am a very lucky lady.

My friends and family are amazing and I am so happy with your Dad and you boys.

Today has been lovely and chilled... You both had a lie in (besides the 5:30 feed Quinn, but that wasn't hard) so we all got up late (well not Dad, he left for work just after the night feed), which was lovely. Granny and Grandad came round and I opened presents. Jed you wanted to help me but then you got distracted by wanting to play outside with Granny.

We went into town for cake, you have to have cake on your birthday hey Jed and had a wander around.

I was spoilt rotten and had a lovely chilled out day.

Daddy came home with some beautiful tulips, I opened a lovely watch from you all and then as a surprise we went out for dinner. I love surprises!

On the way home, Jed you said "I'm proud of you Mummy", which you've said before but I love hearing... And I really hope you always think that.

You two boys make me feel so proud, happy and unbelievably lucky. I can't believe I get to be your Mum, I just hope I do you proud. I worry every day about the kind of Mum I am. I'm always thinking I need to be more patient and I'm sure you are sick of me saying what you can and can't do Jed.... But just remember there are a lot of ways that as a parent we show we love you...The boundaries we set, so that you continue to grow up to be the lovely, well mannered boy you are, among many other things. The countless times we try and get you to eat your tea or shout at you not to run near the road. It's all our way of trying to protect you and guide you through this insane (but amazing) world we live in. I just hope you know why we do it and that you remember the fun times as well as the nagging ☺️

I have had a lovely birthday, but it's not just about today... I often hear how motherhood agrees with me, and that is all down to you both. You are an absolute joy to be around (even on days when you are pushing every boundary out there Jed). Both of you have smiles that could light up any room, like your very own lumos spell.

I love you both, whole heartedly.

As it's almost bedtime, I'll say what Jed and I say to each other every night.

Noche mi amor x

P.s one of my presents today was a lovely notebook from Donna with a note saying that "I'm sure being a mum of 2 gives you a lot of inspiration. Keep writing". I hope one day you enjoy reading my little musings.

Here's a photo we took just before we went out tonight, I adore this photo of our family!

16.April.2017

Dear Us,

We've just celebrated our 1yr wedding anniversary and what can I say, but what a year!!

So much has happened that it seems ages ago that we got married, but also like 5 minutes ago. Time is a funny old thing!

Since 16.04.16 we found out that we were expecting you Quinn, although we kept it as a surprise as to whether Jed was getting a little brother or sister. I'm so pleased we didn't know as it was such a lovely surprise with both of you.

Daddy got a new job, which must feel so strange to him as he had his old job for years and really enjoyed it, but it's worked out for the best as we are definitely getting to see so much more of him than we did.

Jed, you are such a confident little man, you also have an answer for everything, but a lot of the time you have really thought about your answers so even when you are very cheeky we are, of course, still extremely proud of you.

You adore Quinn, I mean adore him!!! You are always showering him with kisses and cuddles, telling him and us how much you love him and more recently telling him you are proud of him. It's lovely. It truly is.

Our anniversary fell on Easter day this year, so we had a lovely Easter weekend. We went swimming with Auntie Lila and Granny and Grandad. Had an Easter egg hunt in the garden, can't believe how much you've changed since last year's, made glitter jars and the four of us went out for dinner for our anniversary. Quinn you feel asleep when we ordered and woke up as we were having dessert, so you obviously weren't fussed. Jed you enjoyed the meal and only started messing around a bit during dessert, so all in all it was a good meal out!

It's been a great year, I am so grateful for everything we have as a family and here's to making many more memories together.

Love always, Mummy x

Dear Quinn

Dear Quinn,

As I write this it's the 19th of Feb, 2017 and you are just over 8 weeks old.

You are currently fast asleep on me and snoring gently...

I have NO idea where the last 8 weeks have gone, not a clue. I remember thinking the same when your brother was younger, but it feels like you've always been with us.

You are getting so big already, at 8 weeks old you are already busy over 2ft! I'm even having to put you in some 3-6 clothes... That's crazy!

Jed adores you, he really does. He is always saying "hello baby Quinn" and always asks where you are, even if he already knows the answer and he is constantly showering you with kisses and isn't content to go to bed without giving you a kiss and a cuddle.

I hope you boys grow up to be thick as thieves I really do. I think the gap between you will be a really nice one, or at least I hope it will.

You have the same eyes as Jed but other than that you already have more hair than he did at your age and it's darker too. People are always saying how alike you are and although there's no mistaking you are brothers I see Quinn when I look at you not Jed 2 like Jed says sometimes when he sees your photo.

I can't wait to see how you will grow and develop, and whether you'll be as cheeky as your brother, who has us in fits sometimes... Just don't grow up too fast please sweetheart.

Love always,
Mummy x

Letter to my boys

Dear Jed and Quinn,

Quinn you've been with us for just over seven weeks now and it has absolutely flown by, I can't believe it!

You are getting so big already and we had two weeks in a row when you put on about a lb a week, just crazy, but fantastic too.

You are so cute, you've got the same gorgeous sapphire coloured eyes that Jed had, although his changed to be like mine and your Dad's, we'll see what yours do. They are also so big and bright and you are more and more alert every day.

You've just started to smile and the other day you gave Jed a little grin and he called you a beautiful baby boy, it was so sweet.  

Jed you are so sweet as a big brother you are constantly giving Quinn kisses and cuddles and you said proudly the other day "I love baby Quinn" it was so adorable.

You are also really helpful, always wanting to pick out his clothes with me or tuck his blanket around him, or show him his toys. You also like to sit and have him on you, but only for about a second before you say "that's enough" which always makes me smile!

I can't wait to see how you both grow together and look forward to making many memories together.

Love you both, always.

Mummy x

What a year...

It's 31st Dec 2016 and tomorrow is a brand new year.

We have had an amazing year.

In March we welcomed Thalia! Can't wait to meet her. Thanks to photos and videos I feel like we already know her a bit, which is lovely and Jed you like seeing them and waving at her.

April saw us get married, it was amazing, just how I'd always imagined. Yes, it rained (but that didn't matter) we even managed to get out and have our photos taken and the campervan broke down on the way to the church (but I'd got a back up plan so even that was ok - and I didn't cry!) and we were only a couple of mins late. It was great to have so many people there. Sadly Olivia and Thalia couldn't be there but I was so touched that Uncle Chris came! During the service you shouted Mama and I will never forget that, it's one of my lasting memories from the day, that and the smile your dad gave me when I reached the top of the aisle. It was lovely and chilled out (or at least it felt it to me) and I was so happy. I love hearing your Dad call me his wife!!

While on our mini honeymoon week off we found out that we were expecting again, which was a lovely surprise.

The summer saw your dad change jobs and we got to spend a lot more time with him, even fitting in some park trips of an evening etc, which was lovely. It also saw me growing bigger and bigger.

Jed you were quite excited to become a big brother and seemed to really understand what was going on.

Your Dad and I went on our honeymoon to Sardinia, which was lovely but you were missed. Although you had a fantastic week with Granny and Grandad and days out with Nanny and Grandad.

December saw us get ready for the baby to arrive. You seemed excited about Christmas and Santa coming. We enjoyed doing the Advent books again and you were so good with only opening up one a day and you LOVED your advent calendar. You've been quite funny being bossy and telling people not to touch the Christmas tree and have been so excited about it all, which as I love Christmas has been perfect.

Well the baby's due date of 15th December came and went, we went on various bumpy car journeys to try and help it along and bounced on the gym ball for ages and danced around the living room etc, but nothing. Contractions finally started on the 21st and were on and off until Thursday afternoon when they seemed to completely stop. Luckily your dad finished his night shift early and was home about 1:30, as at 3am contractions woke me up. After talking to the hospital and really wanting to wait for a room at the MWLU we got there at 6:30 and Quinn you were born at 7:01. I remember even though I was half out of it when you were here saying that "I always saw us with two boys" and I was right. I was so pleased that you were finally here and that you had arrived safely (and very quickly) and I couldn't wait to get you home to your big brother.  Jed you'd been spending the day with Auntie Lila,  as she'd stayed at ours just in case, and apparently you'd been singing Happy Birthday Baby, which is just adorable.

My heart is so full it's crazy!...

When Jed you ask to hold Quinn or give him a kiss for no apparent reason.

The fact that you called him The Boy or my brother/sister for a couple of days.

How small and sweet you are already Quinn and how soft your head is.

How you can be upset but the second we pick you up everything seems right in your world.

How on boxing day they said you'd only lost 4.8%  of your body weight, (up to 8% is normal) which compared to Jed's 11% was amazing, as I was worried we might have the same feeding issues we had with Jed.

The gorgeous wrinkly, frowning,  sleepy faces you pull Quinn.

How amazing your Dad is. He's been looking after me so well (hormones after birth have got so much to answer for) making sure I always have a drink, or making me cookies because I mentioned I fancied some...or taking both of you downstairs so I can try and have a bit of sleep etc and just generally being really reassuring.  Looking after your every need as feeding a newborn is demanding... Although Jed you've been very patient with that too... And so sweet when you have seen me emotional, giving me hugs etc.

I was so worried before you got here Quinn, I just couldn't imagine being a mum of two, and I know it's going to be a bit tough to start with, like the other day Jed when all you wanted was your dad (who had popped out) and Quinn you cried each time I put you down and I just couldn't see how we'd all get dressed. But we'll get there. I'll also try my hardest to make sure that our relationship doesn't suffer Jed.

I hope you don't mind your birthday being SO close to Christmas Quinn, but remember you kept us waiting for 8 days, so you were obviously not ready yet.

People say you look really similar, I see it a bit but not too much I don't think, haven't quite made my mind up. What do you think? Jed you are on the left, Quinn you are on the right.

Today is Saxon's 10th birthday which is insane, can't believe we've had him that long, feels like 5 mins!

I feel like I've been so blessed this year and can't wait for our little family to continue to grow and laugh and love in 2017.

Love always,

Mummy x
(a Mummy of two, eeeeek!)