{Family Mini Break}

I spent many a holiday as a child in a caravan on a Haven holiday park. I have fond memories of these holidays. The fun had, the travelling there, the staying in caravans, the party dances and generally having lots of fun.

We wanted to have a little break as a family but there is no way we could afford a trip abroad so after a little browsing I found an aweseome deal for a 4 night break for us. We opted for a site which was not too far from us for travelling  - Church Farm in Chicester.

Our caravan was lovely and spacious. Had everything we needed. Even the TV had freeview and DVD player in which meant in the evenings once M was asleep me and the hubby could watch someting (also meant we had cbeebies for the morning wake ups!) The site was lovely. Not too big and the main complex was enclosed which made it more comfortable with letting Maxwell having a little bit of freedom to run about. Everyone we spoke to on the site were polite friendly and made us feel welcome.

We ate out on the site one night, and the food was very nice. A kind of harvester / pub grub feel. The only downside was as this was the first night of our break M was so excited by the arcade he was not up for sitting still and eating. The rest of the week we bought stuff to cook at the caravan - either at local supermarkets or the little Spa on site. Which was stocked with basics to be able to whip up a dinner for 3.

We were so lucky with the weather - it was truly glorious. The boys even spent the majority of the week in shorts and t-shirts. We visited some local places West Wittering beach (which was stunning!) and also Chichester town centre (which M spent the whole time asking to go to a toy shop. Sigh)

The amenties were good on the site. A small pool which was big enough for M to have a splash about it and enjoy it. An arcade, which M was just happy to walk around, look at the flashing lights and sit on the motorbikes. The arcade also had a free of charge soft play area. This was unsupervised but not too big so you could easily keep track of the small one. The restaurant (which served breakfast, lunch and dinner!) was large and spacious. Plus had free wifi. Outdoors there was a playpark and a adventure golf - which both went down well with M. There was lots of actiivites on offer but we didn't partake. I think if went back to a site later in the year we would consider it.

Overall we throughly enjoyed our mini break together. Super relaxing. What made it better was hearing M say EVERYDAY - this was the BEST day ever. Makes it worth it.

L

{life}

Is what I have been doing recently. And enjoying it. I had taken a little break as things were getting a little crazy. But things have still been chugging along.

• I am still growing that tiny little person of mine. I will be 17 weeks tomorrow and I have been coping ok. Yes I have been shattered (but I was tired alot before falling pregnant) I have had a little sickness and queasiness and the classic cooking something, sitting down to dish it up - not being able to eat it. I have been struggling with the whole not just eating for eating sake. After I lost my weight after having M I am trying not to worry about the weight gain with baby 2. This also means not eating a bag of cookies cos I am pregnant. I am trying to stay healthy, eat well and have the occasional treat. Cutting out the caffeine has been the hardest battle. Diet coke is vice.
• We went on a little mini break (I will blog this separately) but we had an awesome mini break just the 3 (well 4) of us. I will be highly recommend the holiday park we went too.
• I have been trying to stay on top of projectlife! I'm a couple of weeks behind but still chugging along with it. I love this project. I also love our weekly family shots, which means by the end of the year will be having another little person in it. I have not had any inspiration to drag out the 12x12 recently but I still love those albums too.
• I have been knitting. I have made a little jumper for my friends new baby and I have casted on a little jumper for our baby.
• I have been working, cooking, living, playing with a happy go lucky 3 year old toddler and actually just enjoying a little break. No strings attached. I'm hoping I will have some mojo and excitingness to share soon.

Love always L

{finding out}

I wrote the below the day we found out we were pregnant.

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Today is valentines day.

The day of love.

Today is also the day I went and bought the pregnancy test.

I had done a cheapy one at home and could see a very very very faint line.

And there I saw the faint positive line. My heart sped up. My hands were shaking.

I texted hubby. Who was having a particularly rubbish day. 'Fancy some good news'.

We had spent 4 months trying. Very little time to some but as Maxwell came so easily it did upset us. Each month dusted ourselves down and geared up for another month of trying. It's horrible symptom spotting and thinking the maybes and if.

I'm so happy that we are trying to do this all again.

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Happy times in the Edwards household (also explains my recent quietness with my online activity!)

{the funny things you say}

I was so worried about M learning to talk.

He was so much slower than other kids his age. I fretted it was me. I've not don something to encourage his speaking. To help grow. Help him learn. I had failed my son.

Now he is talking all the time and he makes me laugh so much. (He had his dads personality!)

Some classic M lines include.

"My nanny fell over. She was drunk" (which she wasn't I would like to point out!)

"Daddy says mummy has a sexy bum" which he happily told my mum

"My name is maxwell and I'm from England"

"I'll be right back mummy" followed by when he comes back to the room "I'm back"

"I'm just popping out!"

"I need just a little bit of help mummy"

"I'm silly mummy"

He really does make me smile. And such a little sponge at the moment.

Note to self. Be more careful about what I say in front of him.

L


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{international women's day}

Why I love being a woman?



Being able to buy pretty dresses pretty shoes and feel girly. Or wear jeans and a t shirt and still feel girly.



Being able to carry a baby, give birth and care for my child. Women's bodies are pretty amazing right?



Being able to change my hair a million times a day (hairband and Kirkby grips always on my person)



Being able to buy make up and make pretty faces in the mirror. We all do that pour face right?!



Being able to wear the 'dress' on my wedding day. Feel like a princess.



Being able to multitask (not always successfully!) but I try.



Being able to be a wife and mother, to care for my family, I enjoy this immensely. It's not always smooth sailing but I wouldn't have it any other way.




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{Being a parent}

Is hard.

Why don't they tell you this bit in the what your expecting book or in the midwife appointments.

I remember once M was born. I remember sitting there holding him in the middle of the night. I remember crying thinking I've done something wrong. I remember thinking I've screwed him up. I remember worrying I'm the reason he's not talking, not potty trained or not eating certain things. I remember fretting over should we buy a bigger size nappy and how do I know if this is right. I remember the feeling that washes over you when your child does something in public that they really shouldn't and the shame rushes to your face. I remember that feeling of talking about something your doing and then feeling the worry that you've done it all wrong.

All of these things they do not tell you.

Yes your life changes. For the better of course. So much more love and happiness is in your life.

There are things I have learnt now. I have learnt that decisions I make for my child and my family are our decisions to make. I have to have strength in my decisions. I have to believe that I am doing what works for us. I have to understand that what others do may not work for us. I have to be thankful for our situation. We make it work for us.

This is a hard lesson learn.

And actually if they had told me this in the books or at my appointment. I don't think I would of believed them.

L


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{Where does the time go?}

March the 1st. Seems this past month has flown by.

It's been all go round here. Including the small one turning 3, days out, weeks off, birthday parties, weekends away, friends to visit. On top of all the usual malarkey that life throws at us.

I sat and thought last night as my 3 year old toddler woke up in the night and climbed onto my lap for a cuddle on the sofa. As he closed his eyes and drifted back off to sleep. I held him in my arms like I did when he was a baby. Listening to his breathing. He used to curl up and snuggle. And he has always enjoyed cuddles. My boy is turning into a lovely little thing. He is loving and caring. But cheeky and funny at the same time. He is independent but also keen not to go to far away. I still marvel at his beautiful (I'm biased!) face. I shower him with kisses across his squishy face. I hold his hand in mine. Which is quickly catching up in size!! I whisper I love yous to my beautiful boy. I'm still amazed each day I created you. And that he is mine. He really is a blessing (at times I have to remember this when he is driving me up the wall!)

I love you little man.

Mummy.


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