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!)

Letter to Jed: Things I don't want to forget

13.Dec.2016

Dear Jed,

You say thumber when you think you can hear thunder. Or if you hear a loud noise you say "thumber mummy?"

Some of your favourite things to say are "why for?" and "what happened now"

You like to grab hold of our legs or anywhere really and say "i got you"

You love putting on music (you always stand on your little red bike to do so) and you get us to dance with you, but only in the dining room bit, not in the living room and you always pick a toy for us to have, to dance with. You always pick the big tigger, and often give me the big dog, or daddy gets that one and I get a little grey donkey.

It's nearly Christmas and you are very much enjoying the concept of your advent calendar and like to wait until I've opened mine to see if you want to swap. You are also being so good at only opening one of your advent books a day.

You know that the baby is coming soon, and sometimes ask if they are already in the moses basket and you know that they are going to be sitting where you used to in the car. I really feel like you do know what's going on and I hope that you will be happy when your brother or sister arrives.

You are such a chatterbox, which is lovely! And really good at remembering things we've talked about or that happened ages ago.

I plan to add posts like this when I can, but for now...

Love always, Mummy x

Letter to you both: Winging it

Dear Jed and baby,

It's 3am as i write this, I've just got back into bed as Jed you woke up and were a bit upset and now I am struggling to get back to sleep.

With less than 4 weeks to go (less than 2 as i post this now, eek) until you are due little one i am yet again worrying about how I'm going to be as a Mum of two. I'm not going to lie I've been totally winging it thus far. Jed you've been an easy little boy to parent, yeah we've had our challenges, of course we have, but you've been very easy going, but I've still been winging it and with two I can't see how that isn't going to be glaringly obvious now.

I'm worried about the sleepless nights again. Although i know they don't last forever i also know how awful they are, at least last time i was naively and blissfully unaware until they hit me like a truck and i was walking around like a zombie. I worry about being able to be enough for both of you and I pray I'll have more energy than I do at the moment, as poor Jed, you've had to put up with me being pretty lazy and lethargic lately.

I'm going to miss being pregnant too, as besides the odd niggles (and the not so great first trimester) I've really enjoyed being pregnant with both of you, even though you've both sat in the same position and constantly tried your hardest to crack one of my right ribs. So i know I'm probably more hormonal and emotional at the moment than i hope to normally be, but it's all quite overwhelming at the moment.

One thing i do know, i love you both so much.

Love always,
Mummy x

Letter to you...

Eeek...my first letter to you... and the photos I have of you so far...

When I was pregnant with your brother I wrote a post, even before we'd actually confirmed we were pregnant... 

To pass on; possibilities are endless

All of these things still stand and I hope them for you too just as much as i did with Jed.

We're currently on our honeymoon as I write this and we were talking about names last night and wondering if you are a boy or girl. Only time will tell as we wanted it to be a surprise again. Well, I think your dad would have happily found out but we kept it as a surprise as he knew I wanted it to be one. 

This time around I'm wondering everything I did with Jed but now I'm also wondering who you'll take after, whether you'll look like Jed (who incidentally looks exactly like I did as a toddler) or whether you'll have your dad's colouring. Whether you and Jed will be two peas in a pod or chalk and cheese.

See (although the resemblance is even stronger in person)

 

Jed is very excited about you, you know. He talks to you a lot. He'll lift up my top and talk straight at my tummy. Often he just shouts food at you like houmous or beans (two of his favourites) but he also hugs you and knows that a "baby is in mummy's belly".

I hope you two get on, I mean I'm not expecting it always, let's be honest chances of that are unrealistic, but most of the time. Having a brother and sister has always been awesome and I hope you enjoy being a little brother or sister to Jed.

You are due 3 months tomorrow little one. Everyone keeps joking you'll come in Christmas day. I personally hope you come a bit before so that your birthday isn't too close to Christmas, but either way this Christmas is going to be extra special and I can't wait!

As I type this up you are currently nudging me all over the shop, my stomach keeps jiggling about, which I love...and earlier Jed asked if he could give the baby a big hug, which was adorable. He kept his hand on my tummy for as long as his toddler patience would allow to try and feel you move earlier, but you went shy and so he didn't get to. 

I can't wait to meet you baby!

Love always,
Mum x