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Siblings – January

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I’m joining in with a new linky project from the lovely Dear Beautiful this year, looking at siblings.

As you know my two only became siblings less than a month ago when Alexander was born on the 16th December, so we’re still very early in their relationship and to be honest both are largely still indifferent to each other!

However this month, Elliot has enjoyed telling people about his brother and recently when picking him up from nursery we’ve been told that Alexander has been a big topic of conversation for Elliot. He’s starting to be quite caring for his baby brother and it’s really sweet when he kisses him goodnight.

There’s been a few occasions then I’ve been asked to “put Alex down” and we’re still in a phase of needing mummy to do things like feeding Elliot his weetabix, which although annoying is totally understandable I think and hopefully something he’ll grow out of.

I’m really looking forward to watching these brothers get to know each other over the next year so this linky project couldn’t come at a better time for us!

Check out the other blogs linked up here

dear beautiful
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Elliot, aged 3

Dear Elliot,

You turned three a couple of weeks ago. Luckily, I was not in hospital for the big day – the elective c section was initially booked for two days before your birthday which would have meant I would have still been in hospital. Thankfully we got bumped to the following Monday (three days after your birthday) due to lots of emergency sections they couldn’t fit me in. So, we got to have a proper birthday celebration for you, our eldest boy, before becoming a family of four.

On your birthday we had a special morning of opening presents and a lazy breakfast, then we went out for the day to a soft play centre – I sat and drank tea (being 39 weeks and 6 days pregnant is not compatible with climbing through tunnels and zipping down slides!) but you and Daddy had a brilliant time running about. We came home for chocolate cake, but we’re told (by you) that you wanted “no candles and no singing” so we just ate cake!

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We also managed to have a small get together for family which you really enjoyed – thankfully more than the birthday cake! You were thoroughly spoilt with presents and attention, but we really indulged this knowing what was to come with the arrival of the new baby shortly after.

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So, Elliot, you turned three and became a big brother within the space of three days, and the whirlwind continued with Christmas shortly after. You’re coping so well with everything, and your daddy and I are so proud of you.

Lots of love,
Mummy xxx

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And then there were four…

December has been a busy month in our house. We’ve had the builders finish a loft conversion, a manic weekend of painting and shifting furniture about, a third birthday (to be blogged about shortly), a thirty sixth birthday, Christmas and amid all of that our newest little addition was born.

World, meet little Alexander:

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Born on the 16th December at 9.27am, weighing 7lbs5oz, by elective cesarean. The whole experience was so vastly different to Elliot’s traumatic entry to the world, and as a consequence the transition from a family of three, to a family of four, has been relatively plain sailing so far.

Alexander has been putting on lots of weight already, and is pretty easy to look after. Elliot seems to like his new little brother and has only asked me to put him down a couple of times. So, all in all, I’m really enjoying being a mummy of two. Two boys. My sons. Wow.

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All change…

Dear Elliot,

So this week sees you turn 3, move into a new bedroom and, hopefully if all goes well, become a big brother. That’s quite a lot to cope with (and that’s just me, so I’ve no idea how you’re going to cope with all the changes!)

I wanted to write a note to you while you are still my only child, to tell you how very special you are and how even though things will be changing over the coming weeks and months, you will always be my special boy, my first born, and quite simply the best thing that ever happened to us.

I hope being 3 will bring lots of fun and new experiences for you. You’re still liking nursery (mostly) and I think you’ll be moving up to the preschool room in the new year which you’re definitely ready for. You also still very much adore spending time with your grandparents every week – we think you are a very lucky little boy!

My biggest hope for the coming few weeks/months is that we all transition from being three to being four easily and without many trials. I know it’s going to be tough but I really do believe you’re going to be the best big brother ever!

You’re already able to list things you’re going to teach the baby- including how to miaow, names of all the engines in Thomas, and how to smile. You’ll be the very best teacher and I know you’ll be my little helper too. I promise to make lots of time for cuddles.

We are so proud of you and all you achievements to date. Next time I write there’ll be news of our new arrival. Not long to go…

Lots of love,
Mummy xx

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Maternity clothes shopping – a little rant

I recently went to London with my mum and sister to do some shopping, and was extremely disappointed to find that despite having huge stores the length of Oxford St and Regent St, so many of the “big” stores don’t stock maternity clothes. Sadly it seems that this is the same situation in most high streets.

The exceptions here are Topshop (which I don’t tend to shop in anyway anymore), H&M (good for basics) and New Look (again, not a favourite of mine)

When not pregnant, I buy most of my clothes from Next and Gap, with occasional purchases from White Stuff, Fat Face, Marks and Spencer etc.

On our day out in London, we visited several Marks and Spencer stores, and a few Next stores also and not one of them stocked maternity wear – with the exception of a small range of tights in Marks and Spencer.

It really angers me that pregnant shoppers are being forced away from the High Street, at a time where we really need to be able to try on different sizes, and buy things like nightwear for hospital etc. I don’t know why this decision was made?

I like shopping, spending a day pottering in shops and picking out a few new clothes is really fun. I have to say that I was saved by H&M on my day out in London where I was able to pick up a couple of tops and some winter tights, otherwise I would have been returning home empty handed.

I have bought some items of clothing online during this pregnancy, from Mamas and Papas and Seraphine, and have also picked some items up at Mothercare, but it’s not the same buying clothes from specialist pregnancy/maternity stores, I want to feel like I’m still welcome in my “regular” stores, not banished to the World Wide Web for the duration of my pregnancy. In a time where there is so much focus on the purpose and future of our high street, why are so many stores sending shoppers away? We keep being told we’re in a baby boom, so I don’t understand why companies would want to hide their stock away from the browsing public?

Is it the same everywhere, or have I just been unlucky?

*end of rant*