Happy Anniversary

Yes, that is his real hair.

Happy 4 Year Anniversary to my one and only.
4 years together, 3 years living together and almost 2 children! 
You just know when they're the one.

Linds x

30 Weeks

I do like a good pair of baps!

The above picture was taken of me last week at work whilst I put the bread delivery out. Then it occurred to me that this week see's me entering the 30 week mark of pregnancy and that I only have 4 weeks left of work. Not that I am unhappy about finishing work but it's the realisation that very soon there is going to be another baby here (exciting). And that means I will have been through labour one more time and I can't bear to think about it! (scary)

I didn't have a great first labour. It was very long, very painful and my memory of it is a total blur. I seem to be the only one out of my 'mum' friends that had a difficult time, everyone else seems to ask what I was moaning about. And that makes me feel like I either have a low pain threshold or was just being a huge wimp!

But anyway, I'll go into it again with an open mind. I definitely won't be writing a birth plan and I didn't with the first. Nothing goes to plan so to speak. I'll have any pain relief except pethidine (which doesn't sound open minded I know but I've heard nothing but bad experiences of it) and I'm going to try and remain a bit calmer this time rather than screaming and shouting at the top of my lungs with each contraction. Easier said than done, right?!

I know most people finish work at 36 weeks but with my job, even though I'm only part time, I'm constantly on my feet running around like a blue arsed fly and each shift just about finishes me off. It'll also give me a precious few weeks to spend with Benjamin before the new arrival .

Is anyone else expecting their second? How do you feel about it all?

Linds x

The Scarecrows' Wedding by Julia Donaldson Review

As many of us mum's do, I love Julia Donaldson's books and I Ben couldn't wait for the latest instalment. Sometimes the bed time routine can become a bit tedious with some of the kids books out their but at least her books try to give the parents a giggle too!

The book follows Betty and Harry the scarecrows on their quest to plan the best wedding yet. But what happens when Harry goes for a walk to find some flowers and doesn't return? And the Farmer comes to the field and puts up a new, swanky scarecrow called Reginald Rake...

The rhyming is brilliant and we read this about 5 times on the first day we received it. It is still the only book Ben wants to read at bedtime so for that reason I'd give it 5 stars.

There has been a fair bit of criticism due to the reference of Reginald Rake lighting up a cigar. Although children do see people smoking most days walking in the street or with family, its not something I approve of or want my child exposed to whilst they are innocent and just want to enjoy a book. I'm aware that the reader is told it is a bad thing to do when he lights up the cigar and then drops it, setting him on fire but I just think surely Julia could have written something else into the rhyme to have the same effect.

This still won't stop us reading the book as the rest is brilliant and I will continue to purchase these books.

Linds x

The Island - Victoria Hislop Review

An intricate, gripping tale of leprosy, love and lies.

There is so much detail entwined within this book but it was easy to keep up with the amount of characters and branches of story due to how well it has been written.
Hislop has clearly researched her subject well and offers a brilliant insight into leprosy and Spinalonga by building an unique plot around it.

The main story revolves around Alexis, a young women setting off on a journey to Greece to discover the hidden secrets of her family's past. She travels to Crete where she meets, Fotina, her mothers, aunties best friend who is the only one alive to tell the tale. We hear of the tragedies that leprosy caused, what life was like behind the gates of Spinalonga and the strength of their country during the war.

The only reason I didn't give the book 5 stars was because I felt that although the ending was a twist I didn't see coming, it was too rushed compared the start and middle of the book and I was slightly disappointed. I was enjoying it so much and it suddenly came to a halt.

Overall it's a novel that will stay with me for a long time.