May 11, 2014 by Elliotandme

Siblings – May

Is it me or was it only two minutes since the last Siblings post?

This month I’ve been struck by how our decision to have a second child has made significant changes to our first child’s life, and in our case I think these have been largely positive.

Elliot has always been fairly good around other children and as he has a cousin close in age he is quite good at sharing and very kind and considerate towards others. He’s really starting to show this in his relationships with Alexander now, always ready to give him a toy and checking that he’s ok. It’s just so cute to watch!

See my other Siblings posts below, and check out this months linky on Dear Beautiful:

January
February
March
April

May 7, 2014 by Elliotandme

Blog Your Heart Out

I’ve been tagged by BooRooandTiggerToo to take on the Blog Your Heart Out meme, which I’ve seen on many blogs and always enjoyed reading.

So what is the Blog Your Heart Out meme all about? It involves me answering five questions about blogging and then tagging a couple of bloggers to pass on the meme and keep the blog love going. Think of it as a modern day chain letter, just nicer!

So here goes:

Who/What encouraged you to start blogging?
When I was on maternity leave with Elliot I read a lot of blogs and opened up a world of fellow mummies wanting to capture memories for their kids as they grow up. I am worried that I am going to forget these days so I want to capture as much as possible on here, even if it’s just for my own enjoyment in future years!

How did you choose what to blog about?
Well, when I started blogging my whole world revolved around one small but quite demanding little person and I therefore wrote mainly about motherhood. We now have two of them. They are the main subjects of the blog, but I also enjoy posting recipes and comments on parenting issues. I’m sure the subject matter will vary as my children grow up.

What is something most people don’t know about you?
That would be telling! To be honest I’m pretty boring so there’s very little that people don’t know about me. I used to do Irish dancing when I was little and was in Oxford’s version of Riverdance (not quite as exciting as it sounds, but very fun nonetheless!)

What three words describe your style?
Hmm, I hate these types of questions. I’d say my blogging style is sporadic, I’d like to think that I’m quite organised (just don’t look in any of our cupboards!) and currently my husband would probably describe me as sleepy (we have a 4 month old, ok?!)

What do you love to do when you are not blogging?
Looking after our two boys takes up much of my time. I’m currently on maternity leave and will be returning to work later this year (my logistic skills will be tested then so I’d rather not think about it just yet!) I love creating things – recent projects have included a dress for my niece, a half finished amigarumi ‘Duck’ (from ‘Sarah & Duck’) and a cardigan for Alexander. I love to try my hand at anything from jewellery making to crochet and an hour spent in a craft shop is never boring for me!

So that’s a bit more about me, and now it’s my turn to pass the baton on to some really lovely bloggers:

Rambling Through Parenthood
This Mummy Loves
Tattooed Lady With A Baby
Little Jampot Life
Simply Sophie
Mummy M’s Memories
Poole Mamma
Beetroot Brownie
Menai
Emily and Indiana

Go for it ladies!

March 25, 2014 by Elliotandme

A favour, please

The award season is here everyone, and I am going to be shameless in asking for your nomination in the BiBs (Brilliance in Blogging Awards)
Here are a couple of reasons why you should vote for me:

1. I don’t normally win things. I mean not since I was an Irish dancer when I was little and my sister and I used to bring home lots of medals and trophies (sorry mum and dad, we did take up quite a lot of room!) These days I feel like I’ve won a prize if I’ve managed to successfully change a dirty nappy without getting it on me/the floor/the furniture or the baby! A nice little award would look lovely on my mantlepiece, thank you very much.

2. I love writing this blog! I am doing this mainly for me, as I know I’ll love reading about my little boys when they’ve grown and flown the nest (though I’m desperately trying not to think about that too much as am finding it hard enough being on a different floor of my house from my babies. The thought of them ever being in another house/town/county or god-forbid country gives me palpitations!) Anyway, as much as I love writing, it really makes me smile when I get lovely comments – written and verbal – from people who are reading this. It makes it all worthwhile, as would a lovely shiny award!

Also, I know a couple of little people who would be very proud of their mama if I even got on the shortlist! Alexander even decided to don a silly hat to prove his devotion to the blogging-mama cause!

So, if you fancy nominating me please head over to the BiB Awards site and enter Letters to Elliot in the category you find most appropriate (I’m suggesting the Family category as I short listed in this category last year, but if you fancied entering me for Writer also that would be fantastic and I’d love you forever!)

March 20, 2014 by Elliotandme

Reasons to be happy

Today is International Day of Happiness, so I’d like to list the many reasons that currently make me happy.

1. My husband regularly getting up at silly o’clock and sorting out Elliot so that Alexander and I get more sleep. Thanks love.

2. Elliot’s current love of giving everyone cuddles, we all got great big cuddles first thing this morning as “cuddles are very nice to do”

3. Alexander finding his thumb (and therefore sleeping longer at night!) Yippee!

4. Elliot being really adventurous at a soft play centre with me yesterday, when he’s normally quite cautious at these sort of places. (Yes, I single handedly took two children to a soft play area and not only did we survive to tell the tale, we actually all had a really good time. It was fab to spend some one on one time with Elliot while Alexander slept! It also made me feel like supermum!)

5. Hot cross buns with butter and a hot cup of tea!

6. Ignoring the forecast of more cold and wet weather to come, I’ve loved the bright sunny weather we’ve had over the past few days. Spring is here people!

8. Pink tulips against the green wall in our living room. Love love love.

9. Maternity leave – not having to think about work for another 6 months is brilliant 🙂

To keep up to date with Letters to Elliot, why not follow me on Bloglovin and Twitter @elliotandme

March 10, 2014 by Elliotandme

Siblings – March

I’ve cheated a little with the Siblings project this month, as the photos aren’t just of the boys. We’ve been trying to photograph us all together as a family, and the selfies we ended up with are so funny I thought these should be the photos I’d use.

The boys are definitely getting more used to each other now. Ignoring a recent unfortunate incident with a toy engine (Diesel 10 for anyone interested in engines) and Alexander’s head (!) Elliot is generally very kind towards Alexander, and is always comforting him whenever her cries. He gave him one of his precious muslin squares this week when Alex was crying waiting for me to open the front door and can often be heard saying “it’s okay Alexander, mummy’s coming” It’s enough to make my heart melt a little…

These three months seem to have flown by and I can’t believe we’re on month three of this project. It’s scary really. Hope 2014 slows down a little now the spring is finally making an appearance. For now I’m going to make a cup of tea and check out the other Siblings posts for this month. To do the same, click on the icon below (it won’t make you a cuppa but they’re good reads!)

See my other Siblings posts:

January
February

Letters to Elliot (& Alexander too!)

No one else can ever know the strength of my love for you, after all you are the only ones who know what my heart sounds like from the inside

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