Evie's birth story

Forty long weeks and a bonus four days of pregnancy thankfully ended for me on July 8th.

Gorgeous gift for new parents

Going from one to two...

We are two months into life with two children so I thought I'd give a little update on how we are getting on, and the things we are doing to help the transition to a family of four.

Haakaa Breast Pump Review

(In my excitement to try it I ripped the packaging)

After mentioning the Haakaa breast pump on my Instagram stories and snapchat I had a good few messages asking me about it so here is a whole post about this little piece of breastfeeding magic.

Introducing Evie Violet

Finally getting around to writing a blog post about our latest addition. (I actually wrote this 3 weeks ago and forgot to hit publish - but sure better late than never right?)
She has featured on all my social media so I'm sure everyone already knows, but on July 8th at 8.17pm Evie Violet entered the world!
The water birth never happened but I was lucky enough to have a beautiful quick, natural birth with no problems and no pain relief.

Third Trimester

It's been a while since I posted a pregnancy update, I'm now 37 weeks so fingers crossed this will be the last one.

Living room makeover

Our living room has been my least favourite room in the house since we moved in, but as it's really only used by Jamie and myself in the evening time it wasn't a priority to get it decorated.

Plus the work needed to make it what I really want is just too much for us to take on at the moment. (New fireplace, new windows, new floors, new doors)

Things I definetly do not need but really want for the new baby

We didn't really think this whole baby thing through, had we done so we might not have been so quick to give away ALL of our baby things. Seriously, everything. Gone.

I have some clothes, but nothing suitable for a newborn, except one vest. I held onto one vest.

Anyway, this means shopping, and baby shopping is probably my favourite type of shopping. I'm a little bit wiser this time and unfortunately well aware that I don't need to spend a fortune, nor do I need 95% of the stuff I want to buy...but these are all fab products so I kind of really still want to get them.

So here's what I would be purchasing if I didn't know any better

Naming baby number two!

Second trimester essentials

Thirty weeks down, ten go. Now I'm well into my third trimester I'm fondly remembering the easy days of the second. It's so true what they say about the trimesters ´Weary, cheery and dreary´, here are some of the things that kept me cheery during the second trimester.

Paediatric first aid review

Image via: Early Years First Aid

As a parent, and just in general, I'm a bit of a worrier. People can't walk on walls or go up a ladder near me without a constant 'oh please be careful', 'you're going to fall, you're going to fall'. 
So in preparation for everything that I imagine will go wrong with being the parents of a toddler and a newborn Jamie and I attended a half day paediatric first aid course run by Early Years First Aid.

Even more news

Just in case you can't see what's happening, Lyla took the ring off Jamie while I stood there saying 'No way' over and over in shock. 

I said yes in the end. :)

Lyla's Bedroom

Anyone who follows me on Snapchat (LylaJaneBlog) will have seen I changed her room around a little over the weekend. 

It still needs a little bit of tweaking, a new rug, a new lamp, and just some finishing last little touches that will probably never get done. 

I didn't plan on going down the pink route, but after a three month search for yellow or pastel green curtains for her irregular sized windows I gave in and bought pink. I'm glad I did now because the early starts are getting earlier from all the sunlight in the morning. 

So, here's how it looked when we first moved in:

Planting a Tree

A couple of weeks ago (March 6th to 13th) was ESB Tree Week. A week to celebrate all things trees. The idea behind it was to encourage Irish families to learn about, grow and enjoy trees.

ESB have discovered that less and less Irish kids are interacting with trees, and the outdoors in general. Apparently, 48% of Irish children spend more time in front of a screen than outdoors. Jeesh.   

Pregnancy so far - 25 weeks

25 weeks down, 15 to go.

That would be absolutely fine if the rest of the pregnancy would continue like this. I feel great. I haven't been sick in about a month, the headaches are gone, my skin looks good, I feel so good that I keep forgetting I'm pregnant. Yesterday I even offered my seat to a woman on the bus. 

Lyla's Birth Story

I know 8 (EIGHT!) people who have given birth in the past two weeks. That, along with One Born Every Minute starting back has got me thinking about birth. 
I love reading birth stories so thought I would write about Lyla's.

Things that get me through the day....week...life

As I only work part time I spend a lot of time at home, alone with a toddler, who's conversations are usually about goats, hopters (helicopters) and Peppa Pig. Days can be lost in an endless routine of nappy changing, schedules and re-runs of Paw Patrol, all the while feeling a bit shitty about how little your achieving, and how you know your capable of so much more. 

Toddler Shoes

I have zero shame in admitting I'm a shoe addict, and when it comes to kids shoes it probably reaches a whole new level. Lyla's shoe requirements are somewhat different to mine (although being 5 months pregnant they are getting pretty similar) comfort and support are seemingly more important than style, and an ability to withstand stoney playgrounds and mucky gardens is a must. 

Eating out with a toddler

Its rare the three of us eat out together, between work, nap times and being unable to decide where we want to go, it rarely works out. As it was Mothers Day we decided to make the effort and go out to one of our favourite bars - The Market Bar. Going anywhere with a toddler requires a bit of planning, in order to avoid a meltdown. 
  

International Women's Day

I used to think that being a feminist was all about making your mark in a male dominated world; working your way up the career ladder, power suits and smashing glass ceilings. A thought which left me feeling inadequate, ashamed and feeling as if I was letting the side down. 
I don't know if it was having a baby girl, or maybe just getting older but I've finally realised feminism is all about choice. Choosing your own path in life, being allowed to follow it and not having to justify those decisions to anyone. 

First Trimester Essentials

At almost 21 weeks I am well into my second trimester and feeling great after what was a horrible first few months. On Lyla, I had very little symptoms, a little bit of nausea and exhaustion but nothing too bad. This time round was completely different. The sickness was awful, leading to not leaving the house for days on end. 

5 Super Cool Mama's on Instagram

I love Instagram. Like really love it. I might even be addicted. 

What sets it apart from every other social media platform is the real sense of community on it. There's something for everyone, especially mothers. 

I have connected (in real life as well!) with so many wonderful, inspirational women (who happen to take gorgeous pictures of their kids) who prove that there's more to being a mum than changing nappies and night feeds. 

Picking just five to include here is near impossible, as I have so many favourites from different kind of genres...if you get me... the stylish mums, the ones with amazing houses, the fit ones, the business women, the funny mums, and the ones that take the cutest photos. I could definitely do about 30 of these posts. I probably will; but for now here are five "insta-famous" mums that I look forward to seeing on my feed everyday:

1. @LauraLacquer

Decorating a toddlers bedroom

Bright, cute and colourful, all of these toddlers bedrooms are perfect for our beloved little people. Lyla's room is anything but perfect. Although bright and airy its a mish mash of furniture and prints we had to spare when we moved in.

Clinique Pep Start Eye Cream

Cliniques Pep Start Eye Cream is the latest must-have beauty product, being endorsed by young fresh faced bloggers all over the world. The eye cream which claims to take "just 3 seconds to look wide awake and refreshed. Hydrates, brightens, perks you up. Its cool touch and de-puffing tip help keep eyes looking fresh"; has been getting mixed reviews from the general public, rating just 3 out of 5 on the Clinique website. 

Sostrene Grene

Image via fashionary.dk

I might be a little late to the party with this one but I've only just discovered Nordic interiors store Sostrene Grene, which opened on Georges Street, Dun Laoghaire in December. 

Pregnancy #2

If you haven't already seen the news we are expecting baby number two. I'm due July 6th which makes me just over 17 weeks pregnant. 

Some news..

Baby #2 due July 6th!

New Years

January 27th is a perfectly acceptable time to write a blog post about New Years right!?