19 Years Missed

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

A sad one today.

Today is the 19th anniversary of my Mother's death. After a 2 year battle with cancer, she slipped quietly away around 6.15am and made her journey up to heaven. I like to think of her up there with my Gran, Ginge the cat, God, Jesus and the angels, all relaxing and eating their favourite foods (no calories in heaven- woop woop) and nattering away about the good times on earth.

(This photograph of me and her sits in my lounge and watches over our family)

19 years is a really long time. Long enough to move on you might think. To an extent, you'd be right. I don't get cut up when I hear people on the phone to their Mum, I don't want to cry when I see Mothers holding their children's hands and I don't break down when I listen to my friends whinge about how hard the Mother-Daughter relationship can be. It's normal, I'm used to it.

What does eat me up is that it's Christmas and I'm a Mummy now. A Mummy to the most wonderful baby you'll ever meet, and my own Mummy won't be here to see the smile on her face when she delights in ripping open her presents, when she tastes her first piece of turkey, when she wears a colourful christmas hat from a cracker and when she falls asleep in my arms because the day has been so full of excitement and magic.

She'll never get to hold my baby in her arms and enjoy watching her grow. She won't get to spoil her like my Gran did with pocket money for sweets from the corner shop. She won't ever sing to her, tell her jokes, kiss her knee when she topples over or listen to me babble on over the phone about the new things she's done that day.

On top of the loss I feel for Darcy, I feel another layer of my own personal loss. It was hard not having her (or anyone) see me come last (haha I'm so lame at PE) in sports day. It was rough not being able to run up to her with my A-Level results in hand, saying, "I'm going to uni! I'm going to uni!", and it was heart breaking planning my wedding and living out the big day with a Mum shaped hole. But having a child and experiencing Motherhood from the other side is the hardest.

Mostly I'm fine, wrapped up in a world of baby groups, tiny pairs of tights and onsies, bottles of milk and mind numbing musical toys. But then there are they days when I'd love to call her and ask her over for a piece of cake and a chat about nothing. And I can't. I never will.

There is a poem I found a couple of years ago, by an unknown author that I think is lovely and very apt.

If Tears Could Build A Stairway

If tears could build a stairway,

and memories a lane.

I would walk right up to Heaven

and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken,

No time to say "Goodbye".

You were gone before I knew it,

and only God knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness,

and secret tears still flow.

What it meant to love you -

No one can ever know.

But now I know you want me

to mourn for you no more;

To remember all the happy times

life still has much in store.

Since you'll never be forgotten,

I pledge to you today~

A hollowed place within my heart

is where you'll always stay.

This little inconsequential spot on the interweb is dedicated to Diana Jane Pentland, who was and is My Mother.

x

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Zoella's Photishoot with Baby Glitter

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As you may know, the ever beautiful Zoe of Zoella came to stay with me last week for a few days (have you seen our YouTube videos on my channel and Zoe's channel? my videos are a poopy quality because we filmed on my webcam so I could upload them really quickly but I'm now doing all videos in HD- hurrah!). Anyhoo, Zoe came to stay and we had a Hoot I tell you!

Whilst she was here, she very kindly took a few snaps of Baby Glitter with her oh so fancy camera and I LOVE the outcome so much that I want to share them with you. I was a bit unsure that you'd want to see them but I asked in her update (see below post) and the general consensus was 'Yes Please!'.

Your wish is my command.

I love this last one so much that I'm going to get it printed onto a canvass.

Thank You ZoeChummy!!

Toodlepip!

xx

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Darcy - 3 Months Old

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I thought it was about time I updated you officially on Baby Glitter's progress, seeing as I mention her so very often.

Wednesday just gone marked her quarter of a year birthday and I celebrated by taking her to a big park near my house, where she promptly fell asleep and missed all the fun! I'm going to try and get some camera footage of us there for my YouTube Channel so you can see her little activities and such. Yay or nay?

It seems crazy to me that 3 months ago she was a brand new teeny tiny little dot (if you can call 9lbs teeny tiny) that could do literally nothing but suck milk, cry and poop, now she can do so much!

Baby Glitter can now:

Do great big cheery smiles when something amuses her. Every morning when I pick her up from her cot, I am greeted with a huge gummy grin and it really is the most wonderful start to my day.

Chuckle. I've only heard her do it 3 or 4 times but it's there. She does a huge open mouth smile, creases up her big blue eyes and makes a deep hearty 'hherrrrhheerrrhheeerrrr' sound.

Grab. You can give her toys and she will hold them and draw them up to her mouth. I have a few of those toys that have plenty of colours and textures on them and she seems to really enjoy squeezing and clasping the crinkly textures the most. She also gets a lot more out of her jungle gym now that she can really use it and bat all the hanging animals.

I'm not sure what her weight it at the moment because we haven't been to Baby Clinic in a while but she feels pretty hefty, we've started calling her 'Pudding Face'.

I'm sure there are more little things that she does but those are the biggies....at least I think they're biggies anyway.

Looking forward to her next update for you! Lots more videos and posts on the way!

Toodlepip!

xx

PS- Do you like these photos? Zoe of Zoella took them, I actually have loads and could put more up if you like but don't wanna go gaga if it's not what you want to see! Let me know! xx

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Darcy- 9 Weeks Old

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I'm jumping the gun a tiny bit here- she's actually 9 weeks old tomorrow but I have a spare moment now so here we are.

Since her 6 week update I feel like she has changed so much! I know that sounds silly because it's only been 3 weeks, but really, she is growing so fast!

She now weighs 11lb4oz -she's put on over a pound in 3 weeks!- and takes a 5oz bottle instead of 4oz now, so I'm really pleased that she has a healthy appetite.

Her arms and legs are getting a bit of cute baby chub on them now, so she is all squidgy and cuddly. Also, she can properly hold her own head up now so I don't feel as worried about her fragileness anymore, I just enjoy her cuddlyness!

She is sleeping from midnight til about 5am now, so I'm slooowwwlyy slloowwwlyy getting more sleep- yippee!

Last weekend we took her to Liverpool to see her Grandparents again and we took her to the park! I sat on the swing with her on my lap and she grinned away, but when I put her on the slide (I held her btw, I didn't just let go at the top! Haha), she actually fell asleep! Who falls asleep on a slide?!?!

All in all, she is coming along very nicely indeed. I'm concentrating on her nursery this week, jazzing it up with a few crafty projects, so hopefully I'll have some snaps to share with you soon.

Thank you for all your Baby Glitter well wishes.

Toodlepip!

xx

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*CLOSED* Sterling Silver Birds Giveaway *CLOSED*

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Not too long ago, whilst cruising round etsy.com in my imaginary virtual convertible (it's a mauve 1950's Cadillac with pink and gold sparkles in case your interested), I stumbled across the most charming little etsy store called Ivory Cove and instantly fell in love.

I was so intrigued by all the gorgeous pieces because they were unlike anything I had seen in highstreet stores and proper jewellery shops that I felt compelled to know more. Now I know that's a little odd, but I have a thing. I have a deep love for handcrafted items, no matter what they are. My Mum used to run craft fairs and make pressed flower arrangements and so I grew up around craftyness. I have seen how much love and hard work craftspeople put into their things and therefore I value the item so much more.

So, I decided to contact the shop owner and ask her a little bit about Ivory Cove on the planning that I would then do a little feature of the cool shop on here. Well, once we got to chatting, Taryn (Ivory Cove's Creator) said I could actually have one of the lovely pieces of jewellery to show all you lovely Bloggerinos! Yowzas! 

Taryn used to make beautiful pieces of jewellery for herself and as someone who (like me) is a lover of all things creative, she decided to set up an etsy store to share her passion and make a few extra pennies. Currently she is a working part time as an Accounting Clerk, is also studying, is also a loving wife and is alllsssooo up to the eyeballs with orders for Ivory Cove. She is one busy lady!!

I'm so glad she finds time to make these lovely things because the birdy nest is uber cute and features throughout the store in silver and gold, on necklaces (like mine above), earrings and also rings. I've got my eye on the matching ring to this I think!

I've worn the necklace practically every day since receiving it which is quite unlike me as I like to mix things up every day, but I absolutely adore it, it's so unique and I've had LOADS of compliments on it too *smiles*. What was quite unusual though is that I had compliments on it from such a wide spectrum of people with different ages, tastes and even genders! I think this means this necklace would make a fantastic gift for someone.

It doesn't feel flimsy, doesn't turn my neck green, hasn't faded or broken (even when Baby Glitter tries to pull on it- naughty little glitterbug!) and looks great on my natural pale skin or with a fake tan. What more could you ask for? I think it helps that Taryn uses genuine precious metals because you really can tell it is high quality and not cheapy feeling at all.

I really hope Ivory Cove takes off and becomes a huuuggee success so that Taryn can devote all of her time to it and make more gorgeous blingy birdy treats for us all!

To say Thank You for checking out Ivory Cove, Taryn has very kindly offered you all the chance to win one of these amazing sterling silver necklaces too- Yippeeee!!

To enter is simple:

1. Hop on over to Ivory Cove and have a gander and the lovelies. With every item there is a Facebook 'Like' or Tweet button. All you have to do is Facebook 'Like' your favourite items. 

2. Pop a comment below to let me know you have 'liked' something and what it was/what they were (I'd be surprised if you only like one thing!

3. One winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday the 1st of June and you will be contacted to arrange your beautiful prize. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN CONTACT YOU.

This contest is open internationally. You don't have to be a follower of my bloggypops but I would love it if you were :)

Good Luck Bloggerinos! Happy Browsing!

Toodlepip!

xx

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The A-Z of Me

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I saw this on Stacey's blog (The HQ of Beauty) and thought it looked like a fun tag, so here we are, tagging! Woop woop!

The A-Z of Me!

Age: I tell people 25. I'll tell people this for as long as they believe me!

Bed Size: Double from IKEA with memory foam mattress and twinklyfairy lights- it's my sanctuary.

Chore you Hate: Cleaning the kitty litter tray- urgh.

Dogs: Labs or Dalmatians. Ooorrrr those dogs that are like Lady from Lady and the Tramp. What are they?

Essential start of your day: Shower with citrus smelling shower gel.

Favourite Colour: Pink or mint.

Gold or Silver: White gold

Height: 5"8

Instruments I play: Once at school we made 'guitars' out of cardboard boxes and rubberbands.

Job Title: Fanx.com FunMaker and Mummy.

Kids: Little Baby Glitter of course :)

Live: Northampton.

Mum's name: Diana Jane Pentland 1955-1992 :(

Nickname: Lou, LouLou, Soups, Loops, Foldy, Chummeeehhhhhh.

Pet Peeve: People that are late, bad breath.

Quote from a movie: "One Boooottlllleee!!". Three Men and a Baby.

Right or left handed: Right.

Siblings: Little Sister called Tiyana, but I prefer to call her Bananarama. As you dooooo.

Time you wake up: Baby Glitter wakes me up between 4am-5am. Yippee.

Underwear: It’s all about the comfort. Lucky old Matt eh?!

Vegetables you dislike: Turnips- bleaaugghh.

What makes you run late: Baby Glitter, she's awfully demanding.

X-rays you've had done: Only on my teeth. Hmm do pregnancy scans count?

Yummy food you make: I can't cook. I hate it. I need a chef.

Zoo animal: I'm rather partial to a monkey.

 

 

I tag every Bloggerino that reads or follows this blog. Let me know if you do it :)

Toodlepip!

xx

NB- Cute bow images from www.weheartit.com

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Darcy - 4 Weeks Old

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Darcy is having a little snooze (hurrah!!) for a few minutes so I thought I would take the opportunity to update you on the little lovie.

What a 4 weeks it's been! Now I won't lie to you Bloggerinos, this last month has been the hardest time of my entire adult life. Of course there have been gorgeous loving moments, but a lot of the time it's sleep deprivation, yellow poop, a constant round of cleaning, sterilizing and making up bottles, laundry, lugging baby stuff (car seat, moses basket, change bag, bouncer, jungle gym, etc, etc) round the house and feeling REALLY FRAZZLED.



And then she smiles, or looks up at me with her eyes which look like blue marbles and you don't mind any of the hard graft. It's crazy. It's like she has a power of you which forces you to just love her regardless of how you feel. I look at her and think about how I want her to have the best possible life. About how I want her to not have the childhood I had, about how I want her to enjoy school, have good relationships and do all that she wants to do with her life.

Not a great deal has happened in the last 4 weeks (aside from our lives being turned completely upside down of course haha) but I'll fill you in anyway.

Darcy now weighs 9lb11oz which is good news because when she was a week old we had to go to hospital for a coupe of days because she lost far too much weight. I now take her to a baby group on a Tuesday morning and get her weighed so I can monitor it. It's really nice there, lots of toys and other people and a health visitor to answer any questions. Also it's free so that's a brucey bonus!

Matt and I set up a savings account for her which I am really proud of. I intend to encourage further education when she's older so this will go to that. If university is something she really objects to then she can use it for driving lessons or travelling or something of that ilk.

She's a little bit more interactive now. She just about smiles, looks at things and follows your fingers/toys with her eyes. I really love 'playtime' with her, but unfortunately, she seems to think playtime is at 4.30am. It isn't. 4.30am is TiredMummyTime.

I'll update you again at the 8 week mark, but so far, she's a little snugglebug and I want to just gobble her right up. But I won't. This would be frowned upon. Eek!
Toodlepip!

xx
PS

Thank you to everyone who has entered my Sigma Brush Kit Competition, there have been some amazing looks! Keep your entries coming! xxx  ----Why has this centered but nothing else has??! GGRRR

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Darcy Jane Watson

Aloha Bloggerinos,

As you will have seen from the lovely Zoe's posts (she was like my blog maternity cover haha), I have indeed had Baby Glitter and she is PERFECT.

One hour old.

This is just a quick post to give you the news in person so to speak, but I will do a looonngg post soon. The labour and delivery didn't go to plan at all and I've been having a bit of a time of it. I do want to tell you all the details but right now I'm just kind of getting over them in my own head first and it's a bit traumatic. Fortunately, Darcy is totally gorgeous and really is a big bundle of glitter!

So here are the glitter stats:

Labour: 35 hours, 25 minutes

Time of birth: 8.25pm

Weight: 9lbs

Length: 51cm

Name: Darcy Jane Watson

Gorgeousness: 10/10

I know people say when you have your baby you totally fall in love with them, and I always thought it was a bit soppy and overemotional but it's so true, she's just a little pudding :)

Well done to everyone who guessed the correct name, I will sort all that out soon, but as you can imagine my life is kkeerrrraaazzzyy right now, so do be patient oh lovely bloggerinos.

Thank you so, so, so much for all your amazing messages of support and congratulations, it really has meant so much and I've been deeply touched.

I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing of things again but 1. New babies are demanding (a million times more than I thought! sheesh!) and 2. I've got a fair bit of recovery to do, so it'll all take a bit of time.

Lots of Love and Toodlepips!

Mummy and Baby Glitter

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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