Halloween Day!

Halloween Day 

How exciting was it this morning waking up on Halloween day! The excitement of all the Halloween lovers filled the air. Its the day where we can all bare costumes and face paints no matter what age and it don't matter!

So that is exactly what we did here we are in the day time on Halloween...

Halloween Day!!

With our face paint on its was time to set about our day activity! Halloween biscuit making! We had bought cookie cutters for Halloween cookies weeks ago. They only cos 99p! You can tell how excited we were. Beth has made biscuits before so we knew they would come out alright! The biscuit recipe is simple and easy here it is below... 

100g (4oz) Butter

50g (2oz) Caster Sugar

Few drops Vanilla Extract

175g(6oz) Plain Flour

Method

Pre heat oven to 150 c/ Gas mark 2

Add butter and sugar in a bowl and mix well until light and fluffy. 

Add the vanilla, mix then add the flour and mix well. Roll out and cut shapes

Bake well for 25 mins or until golden brown. 

Once they are baked after waiting for them too cool you can have loads of fun decorating! mixing in different icing colours and even trying to make colours out of food colours! 

Here are our finished results! 

Before Baked

After baked and decorated Finished Result

Why not give them a go? You can make and kind of biscuits with the right cutters and decorations! They are a perfect idea for Christmas, Halloween and Easter! 


Lots of Love 
Katie & Beth...xxx

34 Weeks Pregnancy Update

Here is my week 34 update! a fairly calm week to be honest, just the excitement of my birthday and the added excitement of the fact the birth of baby Bella is getting closer!! And I still need too pack my hospital bag!! shall be getting on that this week... Hope You Enjoy... 

Week 34!!!

34 Weeks pregnant

How pregnant are you? I am very pregnant at 34 weeks!!

How many days until due date: I have 41 Days till I am due! So excited!1

Weight: I don't know how much I weigh

Pregnancy symptoms: I have been diagnosed with SPD so i guess you could call it a pregnancy symptom along with back ache.  

Stretch Marks: My bump is currently filling out with stretch marks :) 

Cravings: I have been craving chocolate still and been  eating a lot of cheese and pickle sandwiches 

Movement: Bella is a little wriggler and has been moving a lot especially when it comes to the evening!

Gender: She is still a baby girl :)

Sleep: I have had disturbed sleep again but that is down to SPD. 

Worst moment this week: Worst moment this week is when I didn't sleep a wink, I woke up with the biggest mood on ever!

Best moment this week:  Best moment this week was getting answers to why I've been  so uncomfortable and getting the wheels in motion to get my SPD sorted it. 

Nesting: Could say I have been nesting buy having a little day of housework. 

Labour signs: I have had tightnings a couple times this week.

Belly button in or out: My belly button is still in.

Wedding rings on or off: My engagement ring is still well on my finger. 

Happy or moody most of the time: I believe my mood has been good this week apart from the odd moody day.

Looking forward to: Im looking forward to packing my hospital bag so exciting!!

Thats my weekly update thank you for reading! Hope you all enjoyed :) 

Lots of Love 
Beth...xxx

Personalised Baby Bits

Personalised Baby Bits 

I have to admit I am one of those  parents who love an item with my child's name on especially when they are babies. Ava had a blanket and hat with her name on ready when she was born, and obviously I have done the same with Bella, it was a must! 

I had been searching for places  to  buy these bits and to be honest couldn't find many and the ones I did could be quite expensive, the place where I had got Ava's from was no longer there which was gutting. With this being the case I had set about trying the find these items online. With me having a very clear image of what I wanted (specific colour pink) It took me while. However I found along the way that my perception of what I wanted changed as I saw all the different styles that were available. I believe as mum that's common! I have of course found the perfect blanket and hat for Bella, now sitting in my hospital bag awaiting her arrival. 

Bella's personalised hat

Bella's personalised blanket 

I  think personalise bits (of course not too much) is good. I think this because its the first thing that is proper theirs and will always be theirs no matter how old they get you will always know that this item is theirs and will never be anyone else's I mean how can  it? It has their name on it. These items also make good keepsakes as they get older. Its the perfect item to pull out on their 18th birthday!

Some people to go a bit over the top on personalise items meaning the get every bit of clothing with their names on it. I think like most things less is more. The less items you have personalised the more special the items that you have personalised will be. A hat and Blanket maybe the odd pjs and ornaments of course are tasteful. But don't go over board and order every item of clothing bed sheets ect with their name all over it! you want to keep the sentimental feeling. 

A personal favorite of mine is the personalised car sign! We had one for Ava but it lost its stick so we are going to order one each for the girls! I think these are a great idea, you can even get one with their favorite character and their name on! I cant wait to get our new ones!




Lots Of Love 
Beth...xxx

Throwback Thursday - Halloween Special...

Throwback Thursday 

Halloween

Every week as you know we will be doing a throwback Thursday post. This week being Halloween week,  we thought why not keep with the Halloween theme and share with you all our Halloween Throwbacks...

A major Halloween tradition is pumpkin carving! Now many people do this and many still have yet too try. Beth as you have seen from recent posts has been Pumpkin carving with Ava, but has tried the tradition long before she had children...

Beth pumpkin carving when she was young...

Happy doggy Halloween!! Even our furry friends like to join in on Halloween. Beth's dog had great fun in the past when it came to this time of year...

Beth's dog enjoying Halloween in his younger days...

We all like to dress up on Halloween no matter how old we are! We have been dressing up for years and still are, Its a fun night and kids love it so why cant we? Here's a couple of look backs on us joining in with the fun a few years back... No one said Halloween is just for kids...

Katie joining in the dressing up fun tradition

Beth as a zombie cheerleader joining in the fun

Even Ava has her share of a couple of throwbacks, She has only experienced 2 Halloweens but Beth has always made sure she wouldn't miss out and dressed her up for Halloween! She has even took Ava Trick or Treating on every Halloween since shes been born! Here are Ava's Throwbacks...

Ava's First Halloween dressed up in a witches dress.. And on the right with her mummy Beth dressed up mouse ears!

Ava's 2nd Halloween! She was a pumpkin:) 

There you go :) Our Halloween throwbacks, Hope you enjoyed reading this weeks throwback Thursday taking a look back at our previous Halloween nights.. We will now be getting ready to do it all again tomorrow night and safe to say we are all very excited. If this throwback has taught us anything its that Halloween is a fun time of year yes, but its even more exciting when children are involved and there is so much more to do regarding this time of year & tomorrow we shall be joining Ava in her Halloween excitement. Please all remember to take care tomorrow evening when taking your little ones Trick or Treating... and don't get too scared when  opening your door too all the scary characters that come knocking! 

Lots of Love 

Katie & Beth...xxx

Having A Colposcopy

Today I had an Colposcopy as a few month's ago I had some bleeding and my GP found a Polyp on my cervix on a routine internal so the GP forward me onto the Colposcopy clinic. During the time of waiting for this appointment I have stopped bleeding so I wasn't too concerned or worried. Off I went to my local hospital today and stupidly the Colposcopy clinic is right next to the labour ward so the waiting room as so busy and loud but to be honest it took away my nerves. I was called early to my appointment so literally only just sat down to wait. As I walked into the room, I saw this chair with padded support to put your legs on and all this camera equipment and I started to feel scared. The gynecologist went through my medical history and talked me through what was going to happen. So of I went and took my bottom half clothing off, luckily I was wearing dress and tights so at least my dress was kept on. I sat down on this chair and was giving a sheet to put over my private/leg area and I put both legs on those padded leg rest and the gyne pressed a button to make the chair high. She told me to "relax" which is the stupidest thing to say as it is almost impossible to. She inserted a speculum which I've had loads of times before I knew what to expected,It's not painful but is very uncomfortable. Then she inserted an Colposcope to examine my cervix and on the screen next to me I could see inside me which was very strange image. She done some swabbing and other stuff which was very uncomfortable but the pain was sort of okay. Then the gyne found something she was concerned about and wanted to remove it to be sent of for a biopsy. She pre warned me it was going to be abit painful but OH MY GOD. I saw the scissor instrument thing she was using and Jesus it was big..I was looking at the screen when she inserted it. It stung so much and then she had to take more from it and done it again. It was like a one of pain but I was close to tears. Not only was the way I was laying down was making my back hurt but I felt so uncomfortable down there. She removed the speculum and I got up and put my tights back on. I felt so sore and pain down there and similar to a period pain but alot worse. The Gyne explained how I will be bleeding down there for a few weeks and not to get my cervix wet so no swimming or baths for 7 days but can have a shower. As I was walking back to the car I started feeling more pain and started crying as the pain while walking came on all of a sudden and because I didn't expect pain like that I didn't prepare myself. I will be getting a letter in two weeks for my results of the biopsy and to go to my GP when I have the letter so my GP can explain everything. So fingers crossed that nothing is wrong. 

On the way home from the hospital we got caught in alot of traffic and I just wanted to get home, put my pj's on and lay down. Finally after 40 mins in traffic, I got home and instantly got into my pj's and now laying on the sofa feeling very sore and in pain. I've took my normal painkillers I take for my back but the pain hasn't really settled and have got a hot water bottle. The nurse told me to rest for 24 hours and try not to do much but it's really hard to just sit down and not do anything. Thank god I can blog and spend the afternoon on the laptop. I shall update you all on the biopsy results.


Now I shall continue being in pain while looking at my wish list for Christmas haha. 


Love Katie xx  

Toddler Tuesday - Halloween Special

Toddler Tuesday

Seeing as this week is Halloween week I thought I would do this weeks toddler Tuesday with a Halloween theme. 

A dilemma I have found this Halloween is how few toddler and baby Halloween costumes there are about! The ones I have seen if any are not very impressive, come on toddlers like Halloween too!! You may find that the little dresses tho not toddler size may just fit your little toddler as they come up small, but really? they aint very weather suitable. You don't want your toddler freezing on Halloween night! To put a jacket over it would just ruin the costume. I've had to take to the internet to find my little ones costume, Toddler Halloween costumes certainly need more thought in the shops! 

You have to get the balance right on Halloween, and not make things too scary! When decorating your house or dressing them up, why not put a friendly face on all the scary stuff? Try pumpkins with smiles, spiders with wide eyes and jokey faces and ghosts more like casper than your scary haunting ghost. This will make your little one laugh and ease them into  the Halloween tradition, if you go in all guns blazing and make it too scary they may fear it or even have nightmares! 

Friendly Pumpkin Ava made

There is plenty to keep you and your little one occupied during the Halloween week stuff that your little toddler will love and enjoy. It can be hard amusing a toddler for so long but luckily Halloween brings with it bags full of fun activities to keep theirs and your minds working you could try 

1. Making Halloween cookies & cakes!

2. Pumpkin Carving :) 

3. Making Halloween decorations 

4. Bobbing for apples

5. Making or buying a Halloween costume 

6. Watching Halloweeny movies like Hocus Pocus 

Pumpkin Carving!

Spider Cakes!

Halloween decorations made by Ava 

Remember! Your toddler could get loads of sweeties while trick or treating, remember to keep their sugar intake low! Don't want them bouncing off the walls for a week! You can do this by spacing there sweeties out during the next weeks! Keeping their sweeties as a 'special treat' for when they are really good, or even try getting them a small bag to go trick or treating with!

This concludes my Toddler Tuesday for this week! I hope you enjoyed the read, and my little tips have helped! 

Lots of Love 

Beth...xxx

Halloween - Ava's Costume!!!

As most of you know Halloween is coming up, this Friday to be exact. Its that time of year where children get  excited and want to dress up as something scary and do the trick or treat tradition. Those children who are old enough to decide what they want to be have their costumes planned for months or have a good idea as to what scary 'persona' they want to become for this one night. As a mum I love this time of year, I enjoy getting my little girl Ava involved in the tradition. She is more knowing this year, yes. She can tell you what a pumpkin is and that the costumes are scary, but she cant let me know what she wants to 'be' so that decision fell in my hands. As the time of year is cold I don't like to put on these witch costumes you can purchase from a supermarket as they are not weather suited, so I took on the task of searching online. After a week of debating we decided on Ava being a ghost, something that is actually less common! On Ebay I went and I found the perfect costume in Ava's size! I set out bidding and won!. This little number shown in the photo above cost me £5.45 incl P&P. All I have to do is team it with white tights and white t shirt which we already have and we are away! We are also going to put some fake blood on the tights and some white face paint on Ava:). 

I hope this quick little post has helped those of you who cant decide what spooky character your child should go as at Halloween. 

We cant find the exact costume, but you will find one similar here. 

Lots Of Love

Beth...xxx

Pregnancy Clothing Dilemmas

I am sure many pregnant women out there will agree that dressing yourself during pregnancy can be difficult can be a nightmare especially if your on a budget. 

Magic of pregnancy

In some ways you can call pregnancy magic! The rate your bump grows is amazing, one minute you look a bit podged, you blink and the next thing you know you've got a great big stomach. I noticed this a lot when putting on items of clothing. I find I dig out a top and it will look really nice on, I will put it on a week later and it wont go over my ever growing bump! This can result in a breeze across my midriff, its a good job I notice and change my top before leaving the house! ha ha.  

My Wardrobe 

I have noticed that due to my uterus growing in size my wardrobe begun to shrink. This has made my outfits repetitive. More than the usual 'repetitive'. I tend to feel that I never look and different. The thing is with my partner being laid of work twice through my pregnancy we have been on a budget so I cant really go out and buy myself a new wardrobe. Thankfully my partner is now in consistent work.

Maternity Clothes

Alot of people may be saying why don't you buy some  nice new maternity clothes which should fit you the whole way through your pregnancy. The problem with this is that maternity wear is so expensive, over priced when you think about it. You don't even wear them for a year, apart from the few that continue to wear them after, in which I believe is a good idea. The problem is being on a budget, which a lot of parents are its just not possible to afford maternity wear especially when you already have children, you prefer to see clothes going to them. They also grow so quick at my little ones age  they need new clothes. Having a baby on the way you also need to buy new clothing plus prams and accessories which don't come cheap. Give me the question maternity clothes or things for the baby? I will say things for baby all the the time. 

Things bought for Ava and Bella

Katie

I owe a lot to Katie to be honest. She has helped me out so much during my pregnancy lending me items of clothing to see me through. including tops, leggings and even shoes to match! Thank you Katie!. 

The thing I've learnt is that you tend to make the most of what you have make as many outfits as you can out of the clothes that you own as when you live on a budget you don't have the option of new clothes. I think of my self as lucky as I have been privileged to borrow clothes off of Katie and they are things I'm able to put with different things to make different outfits. I don't want to complain about something like clothing as Baby Bella is totally worth it, and so what I am low on clothes, in the end I'm going to have a gorgeous little baby and that is all I can think about. 

Hope you enjoyed

Lots Of Love 

Beth...xxx

Happy 21st Birthday Beth

Today it is Beth's 21st birthday. Beth has been in Essex since yesterday and is spending the weekend at her parents home with Tommy and Ava. While Myself and my Mother will be joining them very soon. Today is the day my family get to meet the rest of Beth's family who we haven't met yet so it is an exciting day for all of us. I truly hope Beth has an amazing day and gets lots and lots of beautiful gifts. 


Dear Beth, 

"Sister in law by chance, friends by choice". This quote is very true. I'm very lucky to have you not only as my sister in law (to be) but also as a very lovely friend. You listen when I have my random rants, you care when I'm ill, you always make us laugh with your funny random words and I'm proud at you for being a amazing mother to Ava and soon to be to Bella. Thank you for giving me two beautiful Nieces ( I know Bella will be beautiful lol ), and for making my Brother the most happiest man alive. You two generally are made for each other and I will always be here to support, care and love you all. Happy 21st Birthday to my amazing Friend. 

Love from your Sister in law, friend, personal organizer, beauty therapist and now my blogging partner.  

Can we all wish Beth a very happy birthday today and happy birthday to anyone who shares this day. Hope you all have had a super weekend.


Love Katie x 

Katie's Health Update #1

Hello everyone. I thought I would start a weekly update on my health as it is something that has a massive impact to my life and I'm in the very early stages of my illness. 

This week my sleep has been affected so much, no matter how much or less I get, I wake up feeling constantly tired :(

Head over here to read my story on my illness!! 


Monday  
I had a Doctor's appointment to collect a prescription as Tramadol can't be put onto my repeat prescription list soI go once a month to collect that and also just a general talk about how I'm getting on ect. I explained to my Doctor that I haven't heard from Physio yet and the medication called Amitriptlyline which I have taken since July, haven't done what their meant to do. As Im under a specialist my Doctor can't take or put me on a certain medication. So My GP has written to my Specialist to see if its okay for me to come off Amitiriptyline and to go one another tablet and also to chase up my physio. After the Doctor's, I walked into town for breakfast and shopping with Ava & My Mother then We met Beth, Tommy and my Cousin Jimmy near the river to feed the ducks. I stupidly forget to take out my painkillers so I was aching alot. I came home and took it easy for the rest of the day. With a hot water bottle and painkillers. 

Tuesday  
Me, Beth, Ava and my Mother had a "Lazy Day" so we wore our comfy clothes sitting in the lounge with a hot water bottle eating loads of treats so we didn't do much. My back was okay during the day due to rest, hot water bottle and painkillers. 


Wednesday  
I had Ava for the day which I blogged about here, so done alot of walking to and from her school and to the shops. Before I started having back problems walking was not a problem but now too much can make my back worse but a small stroll is good for the pain so I try and not over do it. I try and not take too many painkillers during the day as Im up, about and playing with Ava so I don't want to be feeling the effects from the painkillers. I'm running out of Co-Codamol very soon so I must remind myself to pop in the repeat prescription to the chemist. 

Thursday 
I felt okay during the morning then in the afternoon myself and Beth walked Ava to school, pop to the shops and the chemist and during the walk I started to ache alot. When me and Beth got back we only had time for quick lunch before going back to collect Ava. Needless to say in the evening  I was feeling the impact of walking alot. I get pains down my bottom and back of legs and obviously my back. Popped into bed early with painkillers and a hot water bottle. 

Friday  
After a bad night of hardly any sleep due to pain I was feeling rough this morning. I gotten up quite early, tidied my room ect and off I went to drop Ava to school with my Mother, I didn't actually ache but most probably due to the fact I only just took painkillers few mins before we set off. It was the walk to collect Ava that killed, with Beth being 7 Months pregnant and me with my back its safe to say we was a mess haha. Both was in soooo much pain, we took the longest and slowest walk on the way back. Usually takes 10/15 mins but it took us 30 mins due to we was plodding along slowly lol. In the evening soon as Beth left to go to Essex I sat in bed with laptop and hot water bottle. I cannot wait to have a early night tonight!! 

Saturday  
After a bad night of hardly any sleep, I woken up pretty late and spent most of the day laying in bed and being very lazy as it was just myself and my Mother at home today. I fell asleep about 3ish and woken up at 6ish with a very aching back due to the fact I slept in the most awkward position. It's been a cold, boring and painful day and going to try and have a early night as tomorrow I'm off to Essex to spend Bethany 21st birthday with her and her family. I feel sooo drained with the lack of sleep I'm getting this week GRRR. 


Thats my first weekly health update, next week it will be from Sunday (Tomorrow) til Friday. Next week it is a busy busy week with hospital for most of my family actually, with Beth got hospital on Tuesday and my brother is working so I'm going with her, on Wednesday I have a small operation which is to do with my ovaries/womb so will be feeling abit sore for few days, on Thursday my mother has consultant as she recently had a operation and finally on Friday I have just a general doctors appointment so its a busy week. I haven't really got any further in finding the right medication for me as this week was told Im being taking off my Amitriptlyline soon as its not working for me. 


Hopefully I will be giving the new medication soon or early next month so I can get better quickly. With anyone with this condition or anything similar you are not alone :)


Love Katie xx 

Preparing To Be 21...: Reflecting on life

This week has been my final week of being 20!! As my 21st birthday is coming up on Sunday!! (26th October). Its safe to say like a little child I am so excited for my birthday!! :). 

Thinking back to my childhood days I always remember laughing and smiling. Its safe to say I had a happy childhood. I was surrounded by a loving family especially loving grandparents, 3 of which sadly aren't here today. I am the youngest of three as I have an older brother and sister, I am the baby of the family, in some ways this can be a good thing, in some ways not... ha ha. Having older siblings and seeing how grown up they got treated when I was little made me want to act older than my age because I was  'jealous' of them being grown up. Typical younger sibling jealousy. Fast forwarding to my life now, I am still a genuine happy person, just with a bit more stress added on! My life is near on perfect only thing that could improve is our own place. I am a person who laughs alot but like most I have the odd day where stress gets me a bit down. Being a mummy helps me deal with the harder stressful days. I believe children make it hard for you to be sad and moody, just one look at Ava's little face and Bella's scan pic puts a gleaming smile on my face. Some may criticize for me being a young mum, but to be honest I wouldn't have it any other way, Im glad Im having children young as there are so many advantages, I have health on my side, touch wood. I also have enough time as possible with my children. I have a happy relationship with my partner we parent together Im so proud to have his children, I would say he's proud of me too after putting a ring on my finger!! 

I've had my fair share of ups and downs over the past 21 years like anyone can. Low points being very very low, some things that I have had to go through have not been very pleasant. As bad as these times have been in a strange way they have made me the strong person I have become today. To have to go through hard times while facing the everyday teenage struggles of school makes life harder  but you get through it. I was told by a teacher that I was going to fail at my GCSE's, I will never forget this day, as upsetting as it was to hear it, it gave me the push I needed to succeed and prove these people wrong. Needless to say I past my GCSE's. I hate education to be honest, but the pride I felt when I opened that GCSE envelope was amazing, it gave me the push I needed to go to college, I started a legal secretarial course. It was enjoyable. Sadly I didn't finish. I just didn't feel right doing it. I am grateful for not finishing tho because when Ava was nine months old I started a hairdressing course which I loved! I finished it and became a fully qualified hairdresser including mens cuts. I am happy with hairdressing and have found my feet in what I want to do career wise. As I mentioned I had Ava. I became a mum. The day I had her and held her in my arms was the most loveliest indescribable feeling ever. It was the proudest day and moment of my life so far that I will never forget.

Its safe to say I have had a wonderful 20th year. I have had so many ups and there all thanks to the great people I have in my life to share all my times with. So thank you to those who put in an effort to make me happy and help me out, its not gone unnoticed. I look forward to another wonderful year to come. 

For Sunday Happy 21st Birthday to me. 

Lots of Love 

Beth... xxx

33 Weeks Pregnancy Update

Hi everyone :) its that time of week again that I love my pregnancy update! Im 33 weeks today and feeling really good today! this week has been a good week pregnancy wise, my only problems being is pelvic pain when walking :( on the whole tho feeling really well. 

How pregnant are you? I am currently 33 weeks pregnant today :) 

How many days until due date: I have 48 days til my due date, getting closer yay! :) 

Weight: I have not weighed myself so I currently don't know... Oops. 

Pregnancy symptoms: I haven't had many this week to be honest, just some back ache and pelvic pain and the constant trips to the loo!

Stretch Marks: I do have increasing stretch marks tho I cant see them as they underneath my bump! I have to rely on my partner to let me know!

Cravings: I am still craving burgers! saucy burgers! I have also had a growing craving for chocolate! 

Movement: My little princess has been moving a lot this week, she is having a little wriggle as I am writing this post!

Gender: My bubba is still a baby girl :) 

Sleep: Sleep started off well this week but the last couple nights I have been very uncomfortable :) 

Worst moment this week: I would say yesterday when I got back from school run was the hardest moment, as I was aching so much. 

Best moment this week: I would say my best moment this week was receiving all the personalised items for our new arrival and her coming home outfit!

Nesting: I have shown a couple more signs of nesting, tidying my bedroom very frequently , even when only a couple things are out. 

Labour signs: No labour signs this week, touch wood. Just a few achy pains in my bump. 

Belly button in or out? My belly button is currently in :) 

Wedding rings on or off? My engagement ring is still on :) 

Happy or moody most of the time: My moods have been up and down this week! Tho today I am very happy and hyper!

Looking forward to: Im looking forward the next month which is the last full month of being pregnant 

I would love to share with you all the new baby on board belly bar (maternity one) I have purchased this week off of Ebay I love it!!

Hope You all enjoyed the read!! Look forward to my next update! :) 

Lots Of Love 

Beth... xxx