Ava - On The Eve Of Your Second Birthday

I've been writing weekly and monthly updates for the kids for years now, but none have felt as surreal and as bittersweet as this. My baby girl, Ava Jean is two tomorrow. How did that happen?

It's such a cliche when parents say that their children grow up too fast, and I'll admit that I've lost count of the number of times that I've said and typed that exact phrase, but it is so true. Not only does it feel so surreal, but it also feels extremely bittersweet, much more than ever before. I think maybe it's because we aren't having any more children, so every first that Ava experiences, is a last for us as parents.

Two years old is such a milestone too. She's a fully fledged toddler, with a mind of her own, who no longer wants to be coddled. Well, she does in some circumstances. She still loves skin to skin contact and still sleeps in our bed, but she is extremely independent too! She likes to do things for herself, without the interference of her Mummy and Daddy, even if she struggles. She has such drive and determination, lots of qualities that I hope she holds onto throughout her life because they will get her far.

Don't ever change Ava, you are one in a million and you inspire us to not only be better parents but to be better humans too. We love you more than you'll ever know.

1st Birthday Wishes & A Cake Smash

My baby girl is now one year old, where did the time go? She turned 1 on Saturday, 3rd of March at 5:40pm. We did lots on the lead up to her birthday, including a professional cake smash in a studio and hand and feet casting at home. We've also been so busy celebrating her big day that I'm only just getting round to posting this.

It's crazy to think that she is now one year old. I still can't get my head around it and I think I may be a little in denial. I still look at her like she's my baby but in reality she's more of a toddler now. It does feel like a life time since that I was pregnant with her but it doesn't feel like two minutes ago that I was giving birth and holding her for the first time. Those moments are still so fresh in my mind and they are memories that I'll treasure forever.

Since the day she was born she seemed to fit right in and has totally completed our family. It's been hard at times, adjusting to two children but I wouldn't have it any other way. I can't remember what life was like before her and can't imagine it without her. She's my little bestie, Daddy's sweetheart and Noah's partner in crime. She's such a little character and her aura is infectious, she makes everyone smile. She can now walk, climb, wave, clap, dance, play. She's so social, independent and affectionate, there's really no stopping her!

Happy 1st Birthday Ava, we love you to the moon and back.

Noah's 3rd Birthday

On Saturday 12th November Noah turned three! I still can't quite get my head around it as I still call him my baby. I suppose he'll always be my baby though, no matter how old he is. I also can't believe how fast these past three years have flown by! It's such a cliche but they really have. A part of me feels like it's only been two minutes since he was born but then the other part of me struggles to remember what life was like before him. He's without a doubt the best thing that's ever happened to me and I'm proud of him on a daily basis.

To mark the occasion we decided to have a little family party for him at our house like we've done for every one of his birthday now. It's become quite a nice tradition as it's not only great to be able to use our family home in this way but it's nice to be able to get both sides of the family together too.

We had a buffet party and an Avengers cake which Noah chose, of course! It was nice to keep it simple as Noah was so busy greeting all his family and friends and opening his presents that there wouldn't have been much time for anything else. Overall he had a wonderful day and hasn't stopped talking about his birthday since! He's one very happy three year old! 

2 tomorrow

Another year has flown by in the blink of an eye.

Tomorrow you turn two.

It's feels like only yesterday when I held you in my arms for the first time and thought, what do I do now?! In my mind I was prepared but the moment I saw you it dawned on me how you were my everything and how I was yours. How I needed to do everything right and how I needed to be the best Mother I could be. 

Yet at the same time it feels like you've been here forever. It's hard to remember what life was like before I had you but I can tell you that it was boring and well my life had yet to begin...

The moment we had you our lives changed forever, for the better. We evolved, not just as parents but as people too. You changed us and our lives forever and for the better. 

When I look at you I struggle to comprehend how we managed to create a soul that is so perfect. It's funny because you are everything I imagined and hoped for when I was pregnant. I imagined you to be compassionate, affectionate, imaginative, funny and happy and that is what you are. It warms my heart to know that.

We are insanely proud of you and watching you grow and learn new things every day is a blessing.

We love you so much. 

Happy 2nd Birthday Noah!

Noah's 1st Birthday - The Birthday Party

If you read the blog you will know that Noah turned 1 last Wednesday. Crazy right? I still can't comprehend it. I don't understand how the last year has flown by so quickly. 

We celebrated his birthday day in a rather relaxed and easy going way. We woke up in the morning wishing Noah a Happy Birthday and brought him in bed with us for snuggles and his morning bottle. We then went downstairs for a bit of breakfast and then got ready for the day. 

It was then time to show him all his presents and balloons which were waiting for him in the front room. When we walked in he smiled and pointed straight at all the balloons. He wasn't very interested in his presents and preferred to crawl through the dozen balloons. 

We had to really encourage him to open his presents but to be honest we had to open the majority of them for him as he was too busy crawling about. His favourite present was his ball pool which he couldn't stop beaming at. We had a good play for a while before it was time for his morning nap.

We then spent the rest of the day shopping and visiting family. All in all it was a lovely day. 

On Saturday we held his 1st birthday party at the new house. It was the first time we have ever thrown our own party but how perfect is it that our first party was our sons first birthday in our first home! 

I'd had the invites designed, printed and sent off a few weeks before and had invited all our close family. 

Everyone arrived shortly after 12pm and Noah absolutely lapped up the attention, he loves having guests and was truly in his element. 

We had laid on a huge buffet with the help of Noah's Great Nan and I had ordered his birthday cake off one of my close friends too. I thought we had provided way too much food but I was surprised with how much food was eaten! 

Noah had such a good day surrounded by his family and we all did too. Happy Birthday baby! 

Happy 1st Birthday Noah!

I can't quite believe it but Noah, you are 1 today! You have given us 365 days of love, laughter, happiness, tears, sleep deprivation and dirty nappies. It's been the best year of our lives and we love you unconditionally. 

Happy 1st Birthday baby boy! 

Happy Birthday Mummy

It was my Birthday yesterday and the sun decided to put his hat on for the day. I turned 26 years young and celebrated my first Birthday as a Mummy! Noah and I had a lovely lie in together whilst Nick went out to buy a new boiler for the house. I then woke up to a bacon butty and a pile of presents, which Noah helped me open. He would of helped me eat my butty too if I'd of let him!  

We spent the morning in the house then got ready to go on a little walk. The walk was a silly idea really as it was far too hot to walk. It was that hot we should of sat lounging around with cold drinks in our hands. Noah did pretty well in the heat. I slathered him in sun protection, sun hat on and kept him in the shade but the sun still wore him out. We then paid our Grandparents a visit for a welcomed cool down from the sun. 

Next up we paid one of our favourite posh pubs a visit. I ordered a cheeseburger and chips whilst Nick had a tuna melt panini, chips and salad. All washed down with Rekorderlig and Peroni. Perfect food and drink for the weather we are having. Noah was a good boy as usual and sat on our laps while we ate and drank. One of his favourite things to do is watch you eat, he is such a foodie and he finds it hilarious if you are eating at the same time as him. 

We then decided to go home to relax. It's so funny how the sun seems to tire you out. I stripped Noah to his nappy and we both fell asleep on the bed snuggled up together. We then woke up, spent a little more time together and got ready for bed properly! I wouldn't of wanted to spend my birthday with anyone or anywhere else. I had a lovely day.