Very Small Feet

As I say in previous post I have things to review…. And in spirit of holidays I think I should talk about advent calendars we got this year for the big boy and myself.  I got the hemline one, I got it I think like half price from Amazon.  It was but some stuff was a bit …. Meh I guess will be a good way of describing it. I don’t think I will use 2 needles threaders…. That are exactly the same but one is black and another is white. Overall it was pleasant opening each day and some things are super useful in my crafting and I definitely saved money of getting the tools but if I would pay full price and for two kinds of pins and non of them these these pretty ones with flat flower heads I would have been disappointed.  The big boy had a fun cars advent. But he doesn’t get a concept of advent and opening something each day… and we have had an advent accident.  This one was pretty good. Cars, bits for cars, festive things like snowman, reindeer and so on. And it was plast...

So yeah once again it’s been a while…  Christmas happened. Holidays. New variant of covid too…  Dealing with life, loss (we miss you very much and every day) holidays, work stress and making sure it’s all ready…  So it’s been a while.  I have some things to review. And more thing I want to talk about….  So hopefully this will get more regular. I enjoy how visual Instagram is but let’s be honest not many people read the caption and I don’t want to that person … like I don’t really how many regular readers I have, maybe it’s a force of habit or maybe I m deluding myself however my writing improved over the years…. So yeah stay tuned for more of my improved writing!  Oh and I have short hair now! 

I am insanely sleep deprived! And yeah no one said babies will be fun, and I guess I blocked it out from the 1st boy! Anyway…  I always thought yeah I will breastfeed my kids. Turns out it’s complicated and hard work. And figuring out what to wear… and how not to flash everyone in the vicinity and many many more things!  It didn’t really happen 1st time around, we had really bad delivery and no after care. Boo Birmingham!  But I was very keen to do this with baby G. I made this known to my midwife… and somehow I was introduced to a breastfeeding guru in hospital. She helped me how to hold the baby and such. Even took a pic how to baby should be in the boob. It was rather odd but extremely helpful.  I did write about the planned sections already and how it was a great experience! And after care was great too!  Grayson lost a bit of birth weight, which is normal but they (midwives and dr) tend to get concerned. My milk wasn’t coming in. Then we met Gayle the breas...

So September is here. If you in UK you know the smallish heatwave also is here… no cozy jumper weather yet. But second hand September is here the challenge set by oxfam, think second year running.  And I am in again. Originally I was going to post daily pictures and do like weekly reports but life gets in way and house still is the building site… but I have few photos so far.  I picked up this dress few years ago but it’s like a massive moo moo style thing but cinched in at the waist with a belt (much loved and much worn, not second hand but over 5 years old) and I think I look nice! Baby G wears second hand too, outfit was bought on vinted as someone unwanted baby gift and his big brother’s cardigan made by Grammie over 6 years ago.  (Skirt vintage Ebay find, jacket DKNY second hand shop in Russia, tee old fast fashion) (Dress. Wore it before pregnancy and during pregnancy. Top shop form charity shop) Now … I take gamble when sourcing second hand shoes on eBay. My feet a...

Little life-house update.  The dump proofing is done. Newly plastered walls are so smooth! It definitely pays to have a big company doing work as they even varnished our new window sill. It’s need to be painted but at least I can put my plants on it without worrying about them damaging new timber.  I also went a bit “extra” with plants as our new net curtains are more transparent than before. But they do let so much light in!  Our kitchen being installed tomorrow. What I didn’t realise that it might take few days to get it done. And at the moment we have kitchen well in every room downstairs  And maybe after we will have more of the order… we still can’t do anything to the walls. Need to perp paint and then paint and then we want some built in shelves and storage units. Wonder if we will be done by Christmas … these things take time especially with little ones.  And now it’s getting dark earlier I feel the need to burn candles and snuggle. Maybe week after next ...

I am currently doing lots of tracked walks with kids. Partially because Egg needs daily exercise, and because we will aren’t actually home at the moment. So all our regular thing and toys and distractions are available. We are incredibly lucky that our friend let us stay in her house for time being!  All out stuff been piled up in 2 rooms, or covered… and then builder came in and well this happened…  That is also why I am missing my new found love for sewing as the room where do my sewing is stuffed with all out things.  See the joys of over 100 year old properly not only occasional original feature, like 2 ladies by the light by the entrance, they are called Thelma and Louise by the way, and fire place… it is also rising dump…. And maybe roofing issue here and there.  House will be improved and no longer have flacks paint … however knowing it’s being done and actually seeing it is very different. I almost cried, it’s not just a house it’s our home!  It was also...

Just over a week ago post man dropped off the box for me… full of wonder and inspiration.  As you might already know I have rediscovered my love for sewing. I missed it actually and I found is so incredibly satisfying when garment comes together. And so relaxing quiet down time making things with my hands.  And as you also might know I love a happy mail in a form of subscription box.  I was totally influenced by listening to Uncut podcast for makers about the African wax print fabrics and that Ankara appreciation week was coming up it makes my Instagram feed so very colourful and happy… and £25 sounded really good for one meter and two neater fabric, matching thread some lovely sewing things and a sweet treat.   I opened it and a big smile appeared on my face. Just look at these prints! So bold bright and somehow life affirming so fabric and sewing g supplies made feel this way who knew! The clips I was thinking of getting anyway. Matching thread is always handy...

Maybe a year ago or maybe longer time runs differently with one thing and another … and well with a newborn, so my Facebook memory piped up saying that 10 years ago hubby started to play minecraft.  And all this time it’s been on and off in our life. And it’s a nice kind of game, creative, and no violence. There are beasties and such but not like say call of duty or what not…  And husband got so excited that I wanted to give it a play that he even told our coworkers… so I pretty much had to play.  As a non gamer I like to go explore… but I have expert at my side. So now I have a photo with coordinates of my base…. I get lost a lot! But it’s nice to learn something totally trivial and have this time to myself. Especially now that I cannot sew at the moment, and more on that later.  Also new games are incredibly detailed. And husband was always on the mission to get me involved. I would watch him play but not always…  so he got me starting a Star Wars game. The an...

Since the return of sewing be into my life last summer I was plotting to make stuff… then I was pregnant so it wasn’t ideal time to sew for my self.  But did make these small shorts for Egg that were way too small. Oh dear. I look at then and see them as a good practice run as I haven’t make anything clothes wise since my mid teens,  And I made a test run of this McCall pattern.  It was very uneven top stitching, and it was made out of old bedsheet. And it was too big…  I have tons of books, magazines and bunch of patterns from these books and magazines, but I felt really scared. Scared to cut the fabric, mess up the construction, what if it looks shit?! But none of the fabrics I have were expensive, i sources most of my stash of EBay as some one else’s remnants. Some fabrics are vintage and are well tad old fashioned and are prefect for toiling (test runs)…   I am hoping to turn this jazzy yellow number into some fun wide trousers…  I recently purchased ye...

For as long I can remember I always enjoyed Poirot as portrayed by David Sushet…. I remember my grand mother reading me Sherlock Homes stories… I still enjoy ready a murder mystery, tend to be female author somehow.  I have signed up for Acorn Tv oh the fun!  The Aurora Teagarden mysteries from Hallmark are so wonderfully vanilla and very much their own thing. Did too know I met the author? It was during True Blood craze.  I also loved Queen’s of Mystery and Brokenwood mysteries are fab too!  I would say I would prefer less graphic and dark mysteries, hens my very old lady’s like choices. Oh show me Miss Marple anyday, the new versions. And the BBC productions are just so fab!  I wouldn’t say only like these easy detective stuff, I enjoy Kathy Reichs books, and they can be very dark. And really loved the Jean-Christophe Grange books like Purple Rivers and the Wolves empire (in Russian translation). Films are pretty good too. I think it’s a bit of escapism, that’...

Actually I don’t know why I blog anymore…. I guess reflecting on life and hoping that others feels the same. Drop me a message I guess…  Once again life got in a way… also I have more reasons to learn to drive . Spoken to a mum friend the other day and we both came to conclusion that we need to drive to get kids to the beach and such… activities and what not.  Also life been more of a balancing act. Not much sleep, more stress, both boys have issues with their teeth, little about to sprout some and the big needs to get to dental hospital to have them fixed. But with both of them it’s taking a bit of time. We might end up with private dental work for the big as it is taking a bit of time with referral….  But I got the see my friends and even went out for lunch. What a treat! Baby G finally got other people to hold him, he did drool on them and pulled some hair. Nice when it’s not only me that gets to be covered in slobber and having my hair pulled!  I m trying to find...

Last year and this year are though... being in lockdown is hard. With same people all the time and I ve made one of them! But we had a most amazing maternity/paternity leave...  And I was lucky that hubby was still on furlough when baby G was born. He quickly took over all the big boy care so I could concentrate on healing and feeding the little monster.    And now we are back into the world. He is back to work, I started doing two short shift in the restaurant too. Fitting around days off and breastfeeding...  But I am yet to use my alarm. To start my shift at 7am I need to get up, shower, pump/feed get ready have a coffee, at 5.30am but it’s always one of the boys it up before that... not ideal  Same on the school day... so we all been sat and ready to do half an hour before we actually need to leave the house. And then I m trying to sort the life things out. I have time (fool I don’t) and energy (same again) to do so while Big boy is in school and hubby’s at ...

Here is Wales are a bit behind to open up. Hospitality is still closed unless for take away but non essential shops are reopening. And it is exciting to see actual people...  And see that stupid long queue to Primark! It’s not great fast fashion brand, all the men made fabrics, poor factory worker conditions.... I know each to their own and such and I did shop in primark, but I am trying to make better choices... I tend to think before I shop (check out my posts on second hand September)  I don’t need new clothes. I am trying to get back into my pre pregnancy clothes. And they must be breast feeding friendly.... and I don’t really know what size I am and how long I would stay. Safe to say I need jeans but as one cannot try them ... it’s no go for me. I actually got some vintage dungarees on eBay, but they haven’t arrived yet.  After being in lockdown for so long I understand how much we all might want to get out and shop in person and see people.... I was dying to go to c...

It’s hard when you do the school pick up, kids want to tell stuff to their parents. Well most of them do... Our Egg is just happy to see us and we don’t know what he was going until the school report comes in...  he is doesn’t talk. He says things only when he wants to...  So when he started to come in to kiss his baby bother good night he started to say “Vav you” our hearts were so full... my eyes well up just thinking of it.  It is incredible that he chose to say love you to his brother and now to us when we kiss. We are so lucky to have this wonderful loving boy.  He is always looking very concerned when his baby bro starts to cry. And is very penitent waiting till we need to stop faffing with pram and such...  Obviously it is hard now knowing what’s up with Big all the time. It’s a guessing, educated guess, game all the time. Definitely not a dull moment!  But I am sure glad holidays are over and school is back in full swing (well with Covid restriction...

 So it’s been what over a year since I had a glass of wine. I have to say the booze-free and low alcohol game has improved since my last pregnancy... I had some amazing stuff to drink over winter holidays.  I had the middle bitter with tonic water and some citrus fruit and it was so tasty! Even Big had couple of sips, and he isn’t a fan of fizzy drinks.  I even had that alcohol free/low alcohol advent! Which I still need to write about!  So after doing some research I decided to have a cheeky glass of red wine. You know these tiny bottles that designed for one glass? Yeah that one. Hubby picked up a Cabernet Sauvignon one of my favourite ones and from South America...  It was flavour explosion! I could taste all the woodiness, all the dark fruits, plums, the dark chocolate... it was like having all your life mild cheddar and then suddenly tasting stinking bishop cheese. Insane.  But I am still a “milk farm” and will not be having another for some time, I fo...

Life took over like it always does...  In brief I am trying to get into routine with two kids. And get the little into routine. But it’s tricky. He is breast fed and it’s in demand and we are still figuring it you. Hopefully 12 weeks check up can provide some advice. Fingers crossed. Oh and breastfeeding goes well. We even had a feed al fresco. And no one was flashed or got milk into the eyes!  The big is being happy being back at school and well holidays are a bit tricky... but we are doing alright. Some days are better then others.  I didn’t run since I have injured myself. I have recovered and am stronger. Lots of walks!  Spring time is pretty awesome for walks! But it was snowing today... but then we also wore shorts  And we both had our 1st rounds of vaccinations... days are getting longer and it feels like new life again. Restrictions being eased and of course some idiots already abused it.. these cov-idiots make me so angry. Like we all want this pandemic...

So on my second run I landed on the pavement form the road to the pavement.. and then 7km on top few days later resulted in my limping about for over a week...  Turns out my hubby is now a running guru... just ask his friends who took up running, so he said “you’re fool! You didn’t respect the distance” I need to rebuild gradually... So now I m walking when I can be bothered... but the sun is out and it feels much nicer to be out!  Today I used the baby as extra weight and frankly it was hard he is heavy and I m very unfit.  I m ok with my body. It does what it needs to. But it’s not as strong as it used to be and that makes me sad. I want the strength back and I want it now! However it doesn’t work this way, I would just end up hurt again. And I really don’t want it. All things considered, like I had a major op just over 2 months ago and my body is still adjusting itself back to pre pregnancy. I am well, I am mobile and not always tired... term sleep like a baby is very ...

So we had a “quaranteenie” this means my regular fitness level was reducing. In the end of pregnancy I was massive and getting so tired so anything more than 5k walk...  So it was time. After just about 6 weeks since having baby G. I mean it all depends now the general feeling and am feeling ready for this!  I did three runs to far. Going 1st time was a bit strange some things giggles that didn’t giggle before. And well I went on sunny afternoon and into a park, I tell you what some of people don’t know how to social distance and think that they own paths ... That day I did just over 4km. My muscles were hiring pretty much the same day. But being out for a run it was nice, feeling strong again. More like my self I guess. Even if I don’t run much. It’s nice to able to run again...  My next run was 5km but I am pretty sure the gps glitched and I run more... and I landed on pavement funny... and not funny haha. But it was fine after.  And then I did 7km. I want to run 1...

I really embraced second hand fashion last year. Especially since my body went thought this incredible change of growing the baby so it seems somehow wasteful to get new clothes just for a short period of time...  How cute is this Zara dress I picked up from my favourite charity shop for like £3.50 Draped nicely over the bump and will be great when I will stop wearing just comfies!  I kept most of my maternity clothes from when I was pregnant with Edgar, like that strippy dress. Which is actually not maternity but just fits nicely over the bump. And some of my not bump clothes just stretched, like that blue dress or embroidered shirt. I did buy a preloved bundle of maternity jeans and shorted them and wore and wore them. I still do as my regular stuff is till up in the attic. So all and all I did buy some pants, well bump was very big and my regular undies were so uncomfortable... also 2 pairs of breastfeeding pjs, and a coat. The coat I am still wearing as it “grows” with the...

So as you might have figured it out we had our newest Edwards in January. And life had been well busy...  His arrival was very different to his big brother, so easy and calm and collected. We went to the hospital dead on 39 weeks. With all the covid restrictions we were very lucky to have Steve with us from pre op, during and recovery. Over 7 hours! And we were home  the next evening.  Scheduled Caesarian section is very different from all that terrible traumatic delivery we had with E. All the doctors, midwives and other amazing staff came in and introduced themselves and talked me through the procedure... also we had a student midwife with us from my regular appointments, oh we like Kate!  I walked to the theatre, met more people... they moved Steve around the bed so he can see me and talk to me. The anaesthetist held my hand while spinal was put in, it was the most painful thing out of all the procedure.  Baby was out very quickly and all I could think I want...

I guess today being 1st of January it seems appropriate to reflect on the year that passed.  It was definitely unique, with its extra stress and worries, thank you history for repeating yourself with pandemic but not influenza but much scarier covid. Well thinking of it I m sure the 1920 pandemic was just as scary.  We finally spend time together. And a lot of time and sometimes it was hard. But I actually really enjoyed that.  And turns out walking is nice gentle exercise for mind and the legs and does wonders for wee man!  I rediscovered my love for sewing and that I definitely hurry the process and well not very attentive to details. Actually looking forward to expand on that and making more things for the house and for myself, and well more face coverings.  I also finally started to read again and not just children books!! I made a little list.  I reassessed my drinking habit and well my general well being. Turns out pregnancy impacts very differently o...