Category: Views & Ramblings

1. What to do when your biological clock starts ticking?

   Posted on 8:31am Friday 7th Mar 2014

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   I saw an article the other day (and typically I can't find it now to link to it) but it was about the feeling of knowing when you have finally given birth for the last time. But how do you know?

   I never heard the ticking of the biological clock and was never the "maternal" type, always prefering to shop for spike heeled boots than cute little booties but then I was pregnant and suddenly this changed me. My pregnancy was a breeze, I loved being pregnant, I loved seeing my body change and feeling proud of it. I felt great. No, I felt amazing, I felt like I could take on the world.

   The birth of my eldest daughter was in hospital and fairly midwife led .... it was the first time I had done it so was happy to let them take control but afterwards, I felt stronger than ever (if you put aside the fact that I wobbled out of bed because my legs didn't want to work). I wanted to do it again.

   I missed the flutters of movement.

   I missed not having to hold my stomach in for a few months. (!!)

   I missed the excitement of the unknown.

   I missed the anticipation.

   I missed the determination to look after myself more for my unborn child.

   For a number of reasons, it took me a long time to feel like that again and so it started.

   Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock ........

   My second pregnancy was big and beautiful and suffering with SPD, made it a little more uncomfortable than the first but the excitement was still there, the anticipation, the determination and this was fuelled by a more informed birth choice and my own confidence.

   Almost as soon as I had given birth, friends and family were asking when we were having another, I think my biological clock must tick loud enough for everyone else to hear it.

   Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock ........

   

   Now in my thirties, I have conceded that I am not going to be a life changing scientist, a specilalist vet, a high profile ballerina or any of those other aspirations I had as a child but I am good at being pregnant and giving birth. So maybe that has always been my vocation in life, I just didn't realise it.

   So with two perfect daughters and a body that is considered "old" in terms of pregnancy and birth, does that mean I will never do it again. I always remember someone saying to me that if you waited till you could afford children, you would never have them but what about ensuring that you can afford the things you need for the children you already have?

   The choices we make now, will affect them too. I need to be a mother but I need to be a good Mom to my girls.

   I don't feel like it is the end of my journey though.

   Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock .......

   Maybe I just need to take the batteries out??

2. Creating a romantic trip for two : "mini moon" ideas in Europe

   Posted on 1:30pm Monday 3rd Mar 2014

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   With February over, and Valentine’s Day well and truly past, I’ve been thinking a lot about the practicality of love and how we maintain that romance, day to day. Having two children can mean that sometimes romantic breaks are not always top of the priority list but with our wedding plans in full flow and a romantic "mini moon" on the cards, it has got me thinking .....

    

   Europe has so many destinations worthy of the moniker ‘most romantic city in the world’ simply put, many destinations on the Continent make a great place for couples to go at any time of the year, because of the beautiful countryside, city skylines and abundance of cultural attractions you can enjoy on a one to one basis. Venice, Barcelona, and even lesser-known cities like Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana are all excellent places to experience with the one you love. However, you can’t write a blog post about romantic Europe getaways without mentioning Paris!

    

   

    

   Known by many as the ‘City of Love’, Paris offers so much to the first-time visitor. From traditional romantic walks along the Jardin des Tuileres, to surprise trips up the Eiffel Tower and more contemporary attractions, such as viewing the naked sculptures at the Rodin Museum, Paris has everything you could wish for. (I know friends that have been to Euro Disney for their honeymoon but I suppose that depends on whether you consider Disney romantic or not) You can even enjoy a spot of fine and unusual dining with Paris’ blind waiters in Dans le Noir restaurant. (You dine in the dark, it’s all really rather fun and risqué!)

    

   Interestingly, Berlin is also another city that’s been drawing in couples in search of romance. Long seen as a great hub for culture and the arts, Berlin also offers visitors the full ‘blind waiter’ experience at restaurants such as Nocti Vagus, while the city’s attractions include the Erotic Museum (which is apparently fun for a flirty afternoon) and world-famous art galleries to roam, hand in hand, such as the Hamburger Bahnhof.

    

   One of the best ways to leave a lasting memory of your romantic Europe holiday is to leave a reminder in the city that you visited. This may sound cryptic, but it’s actually very easy to do, and if you’ve read the book, or seen the film PS, I Love You, it’s something that will sound all-too familiar. I love the idea of the ‘Love Lock tree’. These traditional trees can be found everywhere from Paris and Berlin to Rome and Moscow, and if you fasten your "love" padlock here, the idea is that it will remain indefinitely. This is a really lovely thing to do, especially if you decide to throw the keys in a nearby river, such as the Seine in Paris. 

    

   

    

   I know only too well how hard it can be to emotionally and physically leave the kids behind but sometimes, just sometimes I convince myself that I owe it to our relationship to steal back some ‘me and you’ time! I just need to make sure I select somewhere with a Love Lock Tree ..... I love this concept!!

    

   If you could suggest anywhere in Europe for our romantic break, would it be somewhere traditional, like Paris, or do you have another destination in mind?

    

   This is a featured post but the mini moon plans and romance are all our own!

3. #FirstDay - Join the campaign for more midwives, worldwide.

   Posted on 10:33pm Wednesday 26th Feb 2014

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   Yesterday I read about the Save the Children's launch of the #FirstDay campaign.

   Yesterday I was told that 2.9 million babies a year never reach the second month of their life.

   Yesterday I was horrified to learn that over 1 million babies a year don't live to see their second day.

   Yesterday I was thankful that I had qualified midwives to help me and my daughters make the smooth transition from labour, to birth, to life, so that they did have a tomorrow.

   So why am I telling you this? Some of my friends already know the fragility of a new life and while it is an exciting time, it can also be equally as frightening. So the challenge is to write a 100 word post on "what my midwife did to make sure my baby had a second day".

   I took for granted that I would have a "good birth" with my first daughter. I was in a good hospital, with a great reputation and thankfully a calm attitude. I remember almost being left to my own devices because I was so chilled but then my waters broke and everything accelerated, I wasn't so calm, I wasn't so chilled but my midwife wouldn't allow me to panic and talked me through. The little one was rocking in my pelvis, her heart rate was dropping and their was talk of surgical intervention, my midwife knew I didn't want that and encouraged me to carry on. My eldest daughter arrived, naturally and without complication because of that midwife. 

   My second daughter decided that she was going to arrive at home, within 2 hours of labour starting .... she also arrived before the midwives did. But despite her safe and speedy arrival, the midwives were on hand to cut the cord, check her weight and find a small heart murmor.

   Those days maybe a distant memory now but the actions of those midwives made sure I have and continue to create memories with my girls.

   (Okay so that might have been a little more than 100 words)

   So what can we do, aside from writing our own blog posts?

   Save the Children want to:

   •    Save the lives of 2 million newborn babies a year

   •    Ensure that every baby is born with the support of a trained and equipped midwife

   If you’ve got one minute:

   Sign the petition to ask David Cameron to put a global plan into action in 2014 that will ensure every baby is born with the life-saving help of a trained and equipped midwife and use his influence to get world leaders to do the same.

   Text a donation: a donation of £3, the price of a cup of coffee, could save 10 newborn lives by buying 10 tubes of antiseptic cream. Text COFFEE to 70090

    

   Share the link to the newborn campaign online and ask people to take action or donate

   If you’ve got 10 minutes or more:

   - write about the campaign online and why it’s so important that the world acts this year to save newborn lives

   - Join the 100 word challenge blog linky here

   
   If you would like to share this post, please mention @savechildrenuk and #firstday 

4. Little Fun Fest - We have been chosen!

   Posted on 12:14pm Tuesday 25th Feb 2014

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   You may or may not have noticed that we have a shiny spangly new badge on the Lilypad and we are thrilled to say that we are a "Little Fun Fest Blogger Extraordinaire". *sounds fanfare*

   

   What is that baffled face? Do you mean you have no idea what I am talking about?

   I have to admit that I had not heard about Little Fun Fest until after the event last year but I knew that it was something we would want to get involved in. It is basically a festival for the under 10's (and having never actually been to a festival myself, I thought it was a great way to start by taking the whole family) , based around having fun. What is not to love?

   The website says that Little Fun Fest aims to provide funsters with their very own festival experience. Funsters can lose themselves in music, magic, rides, stories and dance. They can enjoy being a child and use their imaginations and energy in beautiful surroundings with other funsters. We want grown ups to join in the fun too, but we also want them to be able to sit back and watch their funsters enjoy a memorable day and take home a permanent smile.

   

   It sounds like there is something for everyone, which is good especially when you have a big age gap between children but whenever I think about festivals, I am always thinking that I can't wear my heels, so I think I am finally going to have to admit defeat and purchase some wellies ..... just to make sure I look the part of course!

   So if you fancy joining us on our Little Fun Fest adventure, tickets for Little Fun Fest can be booked here

   All entertainments and rides are included in the entrance fee.
   
   

   Disclaimer : We have been awarded tickets for our family to go to Little Fun Fest but all opinions are our own, so we will let you know how we get on!