Not Giving Up

Hello everyone,

I can't believe how long it's been since I've written my last post. I felt that my blog wasn't good enough to even compete in the blogger world, but then it took me time to realize that it doesn't matter because I created this blog to document the events of being a mum and sharing my child's milestones.

Yes in theory I would love for my blog to become successful but the most important thing about blogging to me was to keep my creative writing up, and to keep special moments of my daughter recorded.

So here I am coming back, and I have plenty to share! 

Hoping all my readers are well and are enjoying the sun!

Lucy x

Handmade Felt Tree Decorations

So last week we went on a Hobby Craft haul!  I was in the mood to get crafty and make some homemade Xmas decorations. So we purchased;

Different colored felt

Googly eyes

PVA glue

Toy stuffing

Glitter

Markers

Craft Storage box!

And obviously I added what we had at home to it too!

I'm thinking of doing my first Vlog to show you the contents of my craft box! I've started collecting since this year, so it's not completely full yet, but it might give people some inspiration and ideas on what they could put in theirs or start one if they wanted to.

I also got LO a cheap Xmas coloring book to keep her busy whilst I did the fiddly bits.

So basically if you have any Xmas character in mind, such as; a reindeer, elf, Santa Clause, snow man, Xmas tree, or even some pretty hearts, draw a stencil of it on the back side of your felt piece. I folded my felt in half so that when I cut out my shape I would have two shapes the same.

For my Xmas tree I sewed half way along the top and left a gap at the bottom, and turned it right side out, this was so that I could stuff it to make a 3d shape. Then after I sewed up the bottom, and decorated with, glitter, googly eyes etc.

It's the same to make a 2d shape, except you don't need an extra piece of felt so you can just get on decorating!

Once I'd finished, I cut out some ribbon, folded it in half and glued it to the top of my decoration and then left to dry. This way it'll be ready to pop on to you r tree!

Quite simply really ;-)

I'd love to see and hear about your homemade decs!

Lucy x

Three Month Blog Break!

Hello everyone! Wow it really has been a very long time since I last blogged. I bet none of you have missed me that much.
In the last three months I just haven't been able to write. I've been busy studying my uni course, and have managed to submit two assignments, attend regular evening tutorials, and even a day school! I am absolutely enjoying every minute of it, and I feel like its really doing me some good. An aim to accomplish something for myself.

In the last few months I have learnt that I have been suffering with PND, that might also be why I've had this major writers block, and not found any inspiration to blog or do anything. It seems that now I am settled, everything that's happened to me over the last few years have hit me hard, and are coming at me now, rather than before.
I was offered anti depressants but I still haven't made my mind up yet, I want to be able to be strong enough to over come it by myself. My HV has also referred me to Mind but again I'm still not that sure about it.
I've been trying to make new friends via Netmums, and have clicked with a few lovely ladies, but I find it hard to be out there so to speak. Hence why I'm putting all my effort in to uni and studying ect.

My LO has obviously grown and changed in to a truly lovely tantruming toddler, who fusses over some foods, and crosses her arms with a "HMPH!" It will be her birthday in January, so I've been getting Christmas presents ready and planning ahead. Still haven't a clue what to do for her 2nd birthday. but I'm sure I'll come up with something!

We are staying at home this Christmas, last year I was at my dads, so this will be my first year alone! I'm going to be doing the Christmas dinner all by myself with all the trimmings!
This year I have learnt how to knit and sew, with which I am hoping to be able to make some nice homemade presents too. In the next few weeks, LO and I will be making homemade mice pies, so watch this space for the recipe. And we will be decorating the house with hand crafted decs, and also some shop bought decs too ;). I need to find a nice tree soon! Last year was a complete nightmare, I bought a real one, and I was just constantly cleaning it with a broken hoover! My DH was not impressed to say the least.

So I'm going to be doing some catch up posts, please forgive me for my long absence, I hope you enjoy reading my posts.

Lucy x

Creative Stations and Birthday Celebrations.

Hello everybody, it's been a while since my last post now, but I've been up to a good few things.

Hasn't the weather changed recently?! It's not yet cold, but is dark and miserable, come 7.30pm it's dark! Soon it shall be Autumn, my favourite time of the year! I love the smell of the damp, dry and crunchy leaves. The rich colours of reds, yellows, oranges and browns. Acorns and conkers, bonfire night, and Halloween! So much to look forward too.

So since my last post (or during my last post even), I have taught myself how to knit! I absolutely love it. I have made two bobble hats, three pairs of baby booties and am currently in the middle of making a woolly body warmer for LO. It's been a super way of getting creative, I've managed to collect some fabulous wool for a good bargain!

Also I got given as a birthday present a super duper sewing machine! I have wanted one for so long! I have been practising my stitches and getting used to knowing how to use the machine. I made a lined zipper bag as my first project, and also had a massive Hobby Craft haul! Actually I was thinking of doing my first ever v-log for this, as I got some brilliant bargains, on fabric, pins, elastic, buttons, beads, thread etc.

 Lets see how that goes shall we?

So lots of creativity flowing around me at the moment!

I also celebrated my 21st birthday on the 16th! I was very well treated and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Beautiful cakes, perfume, jewellery boxes, gold, money, sewing machine, champagne and much more.

LO has improved on her speech, she's now copying words that you say directly to her, and she's also learning to use both of her languages for the one thing she needs/wants. We have been attending most of the play groups at the children's centre, now that it's opened for term. We have also been going to the family craft afternoons at hobby craft every two weeks. She made a papermache piggy bank last time, and she loved every second!

We have been up to Danson Park, a very big place with a splash park, play park, restaurants and gardens and also a boating lake with ducks. She has been picking up the fallen leaves, saying hello to the squirrels and running me mad.

So this has been my kind of blog catch up, I'll be posting more if I decide to brave it and try out a v-log! I'm hoping all you lovely readers are well and happy, and I wish you all a lovely weekend!

Lucy x

Toddlers Arm - Annular ligament Displacement

We had our first toddler accident the other day leading us in to A&E!

It was frightening, and heart-breaking for me as a parent.

LO had dislocated her elbow! And I didn't even know.

She had been playing with her cousin happily, kissing and running away, when she pulled away too quick whilst her cousin was still holding on to her hand. She started to say "ooh ooh" and tried to rub her arm better. She then came to me (in the kitchen.) and showed me, I gave it a kiss and a rub not knowing that it could of been dislocated at all.

(Also in mind that my LO hardly cries at anything when she's hurt herself, so it was really hard for me to understand if she'd truly hurt herself or she was just having a whinge!)

LO then proceeded to play with her toys as normal, but I slowly began to notice that she wasn't using her right arm at all, she didn't pick things up with it, she didn't put any weight on it and it seemed to be a bit floppy.

I went to her and gave it a feel, and if I turned her wrist she started to cry. I took her straight away to the doctors clinic walk in, but told it could be an hours wait and that I'd be better off in A&E. So her dad and I scrambled in to a taxi worriedly, by then LO was all quite and cuddly and didn't want her arm touched.

We were seen to straight away to explain what had happened, and the nurse took one look, took LO's arm and felt it and popped the ligament that had slotted in to the elbow joint back in place! And that was it! LO didn't have time to cry or get upset because it only took a second!

And you really saw the difference in her! As soon as it was back in, she was playing in the play area happy as larry like nothing had ever happened.

It was a real shock, and something I didn't even think could of happened.

What had actually happened is whilst the arm was pulled the gap in the elbow joint opened and the ligament slipped in, preventing the joint from closing again.

Because her arm has been dislocated it may be that she will now be prone to it, so I've got to be careful not to lift her by the arms, and when walking without the buggy as one tug could do it again. It's quite common in toddler as their bones and ligaments are very soft.

It can also quite easily happen, by swinging them by their hands, picking them up by their arms, if they fall on their arm etc

I wanted to write this post to help inform other parents what Toddler Arm is and how easily done it is too.

If this has happened or does (hopefully not) happen to your toddler then go and see your GP or A&E ASAP!

Lucy x

Finding Who You Are After Becoming A Mum

I've come to a point in my life now that my LO has reached a year and a half, and what I've realised is that I have finally found my true self since becoming a mum.

It might sound a bit fuddy duddy so to speak, but me falling pregnant at the young age of 18 and having my LO at 19, I just felt like I was literally caught up in a massive whirlwind. The life that I had once known is now a life I can vaguely remember.

I had just left collage to go and work full time, I had and have always had family problems whilst at school, and it seemed like I was only just finding my feet when suddenly life decided to pull the carpet (and floor), from beneath me.

I have never once felt an ounce of regret from having my beautiful child, as I'm a big believer that things happen for a reason. And life has given me full living proof of that.

From where I am now to where I was nearly two years ago, I would never in my life of thought how far I would come to now, and how far I will keep going.

You see since becoming a mum it has absolutely turned my world upside down and around, and it seems whilst in that mad whirl wind I have found who I am.

I've proven to myself and others just how strong I can cope and handle any situation given to me.
I have grown up in myself, and I know how to manage responsibilities.

From two years ago I was a college drop out, and working at a fast food restaurant, to now being a full time young, healthy and happy mum, a supportive partner, a university student, a freelance writer and blogger, and not forgetting the jobs that come with being a mum! I.e. cook, cleaner, nurse, maid, no days off etc etc

I wouldn't change a thing in my life, even if I was ever offered a million pounds!

I've learnt a hell of a lot from becoming a mum, and I couldn't be happier with who I am. I think it's important that every mother and woman can come to a point like this in their life, and learn to find who they really are. Their not just a mum, or a wife, or a worker. They are worth a million times more, and they should feel proud of themselves, and embrace and enjoy finding the path to their own self love and happiness.

I wonder if anyone else feels the same as I do? Have you found your true self since becoming a mum?

Lucy x

Silent Sunday....