Professor Stephen Hawking // 1946 – 2018.

THE MAIN // M A N

Today is an incredibly sad day, not just for Science, but for the Universe. Professor Stephen Hawking passed away in the early hours of this morning, he was 76. Stephen you were our family Hero, and what an extraordinary human 🖤

“I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road”.

He was wickedly funny too!

Oh and Stephen, life would  most certainly be tremendously tragic if it weren’t funny. So thank you, also, for all the witty remarks you had in your magnificent brain 🖤 As he was the most intelligent person on this Earth, it goes without saying that his views on current affairs were not to be messed with either. Just gonna leave you to search “Stephen Hawking” and “NHS” or indeed, “Brexit”; enjoy at your own leisure 💁🏼‍♀️

Here is my favourite quote by Professor Hawking, it’s one to live by:

“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.
It matters that you don’t just give up.”


C

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY // 2 0 1 8

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY // 2 0 1 8

I can’t quite believe how quickly the past year has gone – but my goodness, something I do believe, is that Women are really a force to be reckoned with. We’ll take no rubbish.  We’ll stand up for what we believe in. We won’t stand down.  Stay soft. Stay brave. Stay fierce. Stay kind. Stay curious. Stay honest. Keep supporting your peers, your family, your friends & strangers, who happen to be WOMEN. Don’t take no for an answer. Oh and just love with your whole heart, you wonder WOMAN 🖤

For me and my family, personally, it’s been a bloody tough year. But in the days and nights of pain, I’ve found solace in the words and support of strong Women. I would not be in the position I am right now, without them. For this and a million other achievements, thank you.

These words, by Elizabeth Gilbert, resonated with me:


“The women I love and admire for their strength and grace did not get that way because shit worked out. They got that way because shit went wrong and they handled it. They handled it a thousand different ways on a thousand different days, but they handled it. Those women are my superheroes”.

 

Read more on the #PressForProgress movement, here: internationalwomensday.com

So Happy International Women’s Day – whether you’re a Woman or a Man, let’s celebrate and support Womankind, everywhere.

C

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#iwd #internationalwomensday2018 #internationalwomensday #womenempowerment #womanhood #sisterhood

We’re moving out of our first family home…

Eli packing

 

We’re sad (but oh so happy!) to be moving out of the first home we three have shared as a family. This move marks our 7th house for myself and OH, our second as a family. July has been ridiculously hectic, I don’t even know where to begin! But there will be more posts to follow our house move. We’re moving in the local area, just somewhere with more space for Mr Eli.

We’ve been concentrating on packing, in this sweltering 30c heat. As you can see, Eli puts my packing to shame. He’s really helped me out with closing those boxes up! Clever boy!

So so proud of Eli, he’s such a happy boy. And look how steady he is on his beautiful feets. Thanking you Mr Ponseti 🙂

MM.

PS – click on the image to view the InstaVideo. WordPress is being whack and doesn’t embed the video within the post, so it’s easier to just view it on Instagram itself.

I know, I know…

…it’s been longer than I said. But it just took AGES to hang this washing out.

I am RUBBISH. But I swear, this time it’s different. This time we have ROUTINE! Hurrah. So I PROMISE there will be regular posts, here, from now on.

Also, in other news. I am now Self-Employed – another reason for why I’ve just been so busy. Aside from the mountains of laundry of course. I’m a Freelance Social Media and Digital Communications Specialist. If you need me, I can work part-time, from home, around Mr Eli’s routine.

You can find more about how to employ me, here: LinkedIn.

It’s all been working really well thus far!

RIGHT, better get posting then!

MM.

 

Wonderful news: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child.

Wonderful news has emerged this afternoon, that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child. A right Royal Baba! Very exciting. I’m an avid fan of the Royal Family and I think this news is just lovely. Kate and William do look like such a nice couple – massive congratulations to them both!

According to BBC News, Kate is currently is currently “being treated in hospital suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (morning sickness), which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients“.

The royal baby will be born third in line and in direct succession to the throne.

He or she will one day be head of the armed forces, supreme governor of the Church of England and subsequently head of state of 16 countries.

 

MM.

An Eli update: 4 weeks young.

Weight at 4 weeks: 9lb

Length at 4 weeks: 53cm

Yesterday marked Mr Eli’s 4 week birthday. I actually cannot believe how quickly these first 4 weeks have flown by! I also can’t believe how quickly our little boy is changing too! He’s so strong and curious about the world; he can hold and move his head so well, already!

When your newborn, is newborn, their hearing is checked in the hospital. Unfortunately, due to my quick delivery, Eli had A LOT of fluid/blood stuck in his ears for a few days after the birth, which meant that the hearing test failed to work and would be repeated. We weren’t concerned because Eli had proven he could hear very well! From as soon as we got him through the front door he looked for where sounds were coming from and would jump if there was a bang or a clap etc. So yesterday I took him for the repeat hearing test… we got to go on a big train!

Mr Eli on the big train!

Granted, we literally went one stop on the big train – but still! He was as good as gold all the way there (even when Mummy got lost on a building site!). Then as soon as we walked into the testing room, Mr Tetch arrived! Which meant that it was difficult to get a clear reading. Breast feeding commenced and a clear response was found straight away. So that’s done with 🙂

We’re still awaiting an appointment for Physio for Eli’s mild Talipes however. I’ve been chasing the hospital on a daily basis but am getting nowhere. It’s a good job we have common sense and have been massaging his feet ourselves (which is definitely working, we can see a difference already).

 

MM.

 

Weekly Update: 39 Weeks Pregnant.

Here we are at 38 + 1 weeks pregnant at the Day Assessment Unit in Broomfield Hospital.

Baby size at 39 weeks: 50 cm long.

Baby weight at 39 weeks:  7.2 + lbs

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Me and the internet have been having a somewhat long distance relationship the last fortnight! I’ve been absolutely EXHAUSTED. I’ve been getting up around 4-5 times a night for a wee (HOW?!) and been snoozing throughout the day. Aside from when I’ve been having hospital appointments and meeting the girls from my NCT group!

So, I’m just a week away from my due date. I REALLY thought Boy would have arrived by now. Considering how big he is! But clearly, he’s just far too cosy in there.

Last week I went to the doctors about my rash (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy) who was beyond blasé about the whole thing. By Saturday of last week, I’d scratched myself so badly I was drawing blood. I was also struggling with my SPD, so we took a trip up to the Day Assessment Unit at Broomfield to seek their advice. I was taken to an assessment room and hooked up to a monitor for 45 mins. I had lots and lots of tests done. But the doctors were not concerned about my rash – it’s quite common and will disappear after Boy arrives. What they were concerned about was the fact I’m still measuring big! I was measuring just over 41 weeks. So went for a growth scan on Wednesday of this week while we awaited results for late onset Gestational Diabetes. Boy is measuring correctly for 39 weeks… apart from his tummy! He’s a little bit on the chunky side 😀 To us, he sounds absolutely SCRUMMY! The scan, at so far into my pregnancy, was incredible! You could see his spiky hair at the back of his head! But because he was so big and squashed, you really couldn’t see as much as on earlier scans. SO, it’s back to the waiting game!

Boy is still head down (good boy) and is 2/5th palpable – which means only 2/5th’s of his head can now be felt above my pelvis. So that’s good.

We REALLY hope he arrives soon – we’re beyond impatient! 🙁

 

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/39weeks/

It’s all about watching and waiting now, as your baby could arrive any day. Your baby could be up to 50cm long, and weigh about 3kg.

The hair on your baby’s head may now be thick, and his fingernails extend beyond his fingertips. They may look long when he’s born. Your baby’s skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap as he passes through the birth canal during labour. This is the reason your baby’s head may look cone-shaped after birth.

 

MM.

Weekly Update: 31 Weeks Pregnant.

Another pic of my massive Baby Boy! This was taken last week, at 30 weeks pregnant.

Baby size at 30 weeks: 41.1 cm long.

Baby weight at 30 weeks: 3+ lbs

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Well this week has been horrendous! A mixture of fed up with work (and obviously the commute!) mixed with this glorious weather that I’m REALLY not coping with! See my blog post about the intense heat>> Coping with this heat (!!!) at (almost) 31 weeks pregnant.

My heartburn seems to have calmed down this week, but I have had increased Braxton Hicks! All very strange – but it’s not at all painful so I don’t mind so much right now. Baby Boy has kind of slowed down with his kicking, but is really really active still – he just keeps twisting and turning now instead! He’s definitely running out of space in there. Literally, everyone just keeps remarking on how “big” “massive” “ginormous” I am. Which is of course lovely! (Please note the sarcasm in my tone).

I’ve had my wrists slapped by OH as I have still haven’t started buying my Hospital Bag essentials or sorted out my Birth Plan! DEFINITELY doing both of these things on Sunday, whilst sat in the shade of the garden 🙂

We’re pretty excited to also be starting our NCT Antenatal Classes tomorrow! We have a long session tomorrow, 9:30am-4:30pm… and they then continue every Monday 8pm-10pm for 4 weeks. Really looking forward to meeting couples in our area as we haven’t lived here long.

Hope you’re all enjoying this weather!

 

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/31weeks/

Baby’s brain and nervous system are fully developed, although their movements would still be poorly co-ordinated if they were born now. Baby boy’s sucking reflex is fully developed, but he could still do with a little more practise before he has to feed from the breast.

Baby Boy’s lungs are developing so quickly that each day he spends in the womb increases his chance of being able to breathe unassisted. The adrenal glands are busy producing a hormone called cortisol, which stimulates the lungs to make surfactant. This oily liquid plays a vital role in helping your baby’s lungs work properly.

MM.

Weekly Update: 30 Weeks Pregnant // The final quarter!

Here we are then! With just 10 weeks (ish!) left to go.

Baby size at 30 weeks: 40cm long.

Baby weight at 30 weeks: 3 lbs

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This week, again, I’ve felt increasingly fed up with work… and the commute. I’m just so so tired. Baby Boy is really beginning to take it out of me now! I just really need to get my feet up.

As of today, I have just 18 (non-consecutive) days left at my desk. Hurray! So fingers crossed that is going to fly by.

Otherwise, I’ve felt a little bit tetchy this week. I’m not sleeping so well. Getting up twice a night to nip to the loo… I suppose it’s all in good preparation! I’ve had Braxton Hicks, bad back pain and leg cramps this week. All part of the course, of course!

I managed to get some videos of Baby Boy wriggling around in my belly. So will upload those on a new post 🙂 He’s amazing. I’m so so proud of him. His hiccups have again increased. He usually has a hiccupping session at around 9:30am-10am, then again after lunch at about 2:30pm and then at bedtime, around 10pm. I really can’t help but feel like he’s irritated by it. I keep imagining his little face! Poor Boy!

We’ve also started stocking up on (more!) clothes. I just REALLY need to sort my hospital bag. I have made a massive geeky spreadsheet list, so just need to actually get out and get it all organised! *Must sort this week*.

So what is happening to baby boy this week?

Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/30weeks/

Baby Boy’s lungs and digestive tract are almost fully developed. He continues to open and shut his eyes. He can probably see what’s going on inside your uterus, tell light from dark and even track a light source. If you shine a light on your stomach, he may move his head to follow the light or even reach out to touch the moving glow.
About a litre of amniotic fluid now surrounds baby,boy but that volume decreases as he gets bigger and has less room in your uterus.

MM.

Maternity clothing recommendations for the week ahead: New styles now online!

Every Sunday I will bring you my Maternity clothing recommendations that are available online (and in some stores!). My Top Five styles this week are…

Essential Boden Wrap Dress, £99.00. Available in two pretty prints and a plain option.
Click here to purchase at Boden.co.uk


2-in-1 camisole and striped cardigan, £29.50.
Click here to purchase at MarksandSpencer.com

Peach Chino, £16.99. Button up waist with elasticated side inserts.
Click here to purchase at NewLook.co.uk

Gently flared coat by Mama at H & M, £34.99.
Available in store and online

Jade Scoop Neck Wrap Dress, WAS £75.00/NOW £45.00.
Click here to purchase online at CraveMaternity.co.uk