Leo Meets The Jungle

Just last month, I told you all about Leo's fascination with his view from the lounge window, and how he would love to be outside playing with his Aunt & Uncle. With the grass always being too wet for him to crawl on, I grabbed a chance for him on Sunday when the Sun was shining high in the sky and the grass seemed dry enough for Leo to give it his first test run - crawling style.


I took out a sheet in the hope we could both sit on it comfortably and also avoid any grass stains...Of course I should have known that this was inevitable and it was just moments after sitting down, that Leo crawled off into the grass. At full Leo speed.


He found all sorts on his travels of the garden, a football, slide, trike and line pegs, ...You name it. Leo located it. He swiftly inspected his new surroundings, the new playground and jungle that he could not wait to explore.


Grandad was out taking full advantage of the Sunny weather. As usual the slightest bit of sun and he has his shirt off and his hot pants on (except that they don't look hot!) I warn you now...In advance, just in-case he crops up in any photos this summer! The problem is when the Speedo's come out...I assure you, I will refrain from shooting any photos and make sure to cover Leo's eyes while shutting my own!


Grandad was enjoying guiding Leo down the slide and pushing him around on the trike, Leo was happily lapping up all the attention and obviously loving being outside, playing in the fresh air and sunshine.

Leo loved every moment. It was a taster of what we can expect this Summer, we will be spending a lot of our sunny days out in the garden or down the local park by the river. It is going to be so different this year having a baby on the move, compared to last year where we were hiding away from the heat with our newborn baby boy. I can see us paddling in the pool with Leo and making the most of every moment in the sun, with BBQ's, picnics, days out to the beach and just showing Leo all that is around him to enjoy. I know that this Summer...Is going to be the best yet.

Leo will be getting Christened in the next couple of months. I have held off, waiting for the sunshine to make an appearance. We are lucky enough to have a very generously sized garden, and my plan is to hire the biggest bouncy castle I can find (It can be done, I have done it!) and holding a big reception party at home for my gorgeous little Lion, with close friend's and family. It is sure to be one big shin ding!'


The thought is to plan it all for the bank holiday in May. The planning will be starting very soon, so we are now in the market for the perfect Christening outfit.


Luke and I turned 21 in August 2010, and we decided to hold a joint 21st in the comfort of the garden. It was decked out with fairy lights in the trees, Bamboo garden candles to light the way. We put up a Gazeebo to house all the drinks, and a paddling pool to keep the cans cool (A great idea, I know!). I located the biggest and beastiest bouncy castle. It filled the garden to the brim! All our guests thought it was amazing, and everyone enjoyed the lovely weather and the free drinks. When it got dark we let off Chinese Lanterns to mark our Birthday's and partied on into the night! I am very much looking forward to planning Leo's Christening, it really will be one to remember!


I hope you all enjoyed the lovely weather, and here's hoping that there is plenty more to come! Below are some of my 21st photos!

Laura xx

One Strong Little Boy Named Leo...

Leo is an active, happy and content baby. He loves to socialise and explore his surroundings, he pushes his limits to learn new skills and knows that by being cheeky, he can and will get away with murder. By flashing a toothy grin, Leo has the power to change the world, and I his Mummy succumb each and every time.

The new skills he is picking up everyday are aiding his mobility, and his curiosity of the world around him is driving him to do new things more and more often.

One of Leo's new found skills is the ability to pull himself up. A skill that puts all kinds of worry through me. I am terrified he will fall and hurt his head, especially as his favourite object to pull himself up on, is the television stand. The stand is all glass and riffled with lovely sharp edges....just inviting Leo to miss a footing or let go briefly that will result in a little tumble, with the potential to do some damage.

Leo is yet to pull himself up against the sofa (The safer option, and also my preferred choice) but I know he is just going to keep going forward and push all his boundaries to the limit. He demonstrates this each and everyday. He would much rather play with the flower ornaments and Granny's vases full of fairy lights over the obvious toy selection!

Leo began to start pulling himself up independently just over a week ago on Saturday 3rd March 2012. I was so proud. One of my top 10 Mummy moments.

There is not much time to sit around with my feet up, these days as soon as I do sit down, I am jumping back up again to remove Leo from the parts of the room that are off limits to a crawling baby, who can now pull himself to standing! I am hoping that in the next few months Leo will take his first steps.

Don't get me wrong, I am not wishing any time away. I just want to be the one to witness his first steps, and if he takes them in July....I will be back at work and kicking myself for missing such a crucial moment in my Son's life. Leo is just coming up to 9 months old and I myself took those all important first steps at 10 months old. Let's hope he takes after his Mummy and not his Daddy, who according to his Mum...was a little lazy in the walking department!


As you know I have been practising a few basic signs with Leo for the last few weeks. I am certain that today....Leo signed his very first sign. I am 99% sure he signed milk to me! It wasn't in any context but the hand movement was there all the same. I am going to keep persevering with him, in the hope that he will get into the habit of signing, and understanding the words in context with the sign it's self.

When did your little ones take their first steps? and if you have ever signed with your children, how long did it take to reach an understanding, so that they can sign their needs to you?

Laura xx

Expecting Stories

Everyone who has had a baby, has a story. A story of discovery and of the exciting times ahead. I am inviting you to tell me all about your story. The story of finding out you were pregnant.


Where were you when you found out? What is your expecting story?


At the bottom of this post is a form for you to link up with your own story! I look forward to reading all about your exciting moments in time. When you discovered you were pregnant. If you have already written a post like this in the past, just link it up!


My story began in November 2010. I was just coming up to two weeks late and quite honestly the thought of being pregnant had not even crossed my mind. I had just been prescribed an emergency pack of 'The Pill' after running out of my perscription. I should have been more on top of my doctors appointments but with working, I have always been hard to pin down.

Being late was not un-common for me, I seem to run late for everything in life, so it was not a sign of anything out of the ordinary. I am not one of those people who tick like a clock, and as with everything in my life, I just go with whatever is thrown at me.

On the 31st October 2010, I went out for Halloween dressed as a little red devil, with the tutu skirt to match my cheeky attire. I enjoyed my night and a couple of drinks as I usually would. After this one Saturday night...I seemed to go into a sleep like state, nothing would wake me up from this tired lathargic feeling. Nothing at all.

I have always liked an afternoon nap if I can squeeze one into the day's agenda, but this was something I have never felt before. It was a constant tiredness. In a matter of days, my chest began to become very tender. It was only then something in my head went *DING, DING, DING*.

Could I be pregnant? No.... of course not...

I carried on my days at work as normal, the day's creeping by... But there was still no period.

When I hit 14 days late, I thought I best test... just to elimante any chances. I happened to be meeting my Brother's Girlfriend for a drink that night and had an old test in my bag, I confided in her how I was feeling and we decided to test in the pub out of all places!

The only thing was...I had lost the instructions that told me if I was or I wasn't.

Not a regular taker of pregnancy tests, as you will probably realise as you read on...I needed those instructions for a definitive result, an answer to my lingering question. So I did the test...and we then drove from the pub to the late night Boots Pharmacy! Just to read the back of the test package. After all that effort, the test was negative.

The next day I confided in my best friend. She told me that I was probably just late but went out and got me a Clearblue test to do anyway. I arrived and imedietly took the test, and pretty much instantly....There were two lines appearing on this little stick, that had the power to change my life forever.

I came out and declared that it was another negative. I showed her the test exclaiming that the second line was just where the pee had run a little. She laughed. Alot. Then in another breath she told me that I was pregnant.

I laughed, in shock and total denial. I did the other two tests before I left...and they too showed two lines...That apparently wasn't the pee running at all. She had also got me a Clearblue Digital test, which seemed a bit more convincing and confirmed that I was 3+ weeks Pregnant.

Then it hit me. Oh My God. How am I going to tell Luke?


It was no secret that Luke would not be happy at this prospect, he had life aspirations that didn't involve a baby. I am not going to sugar coat it all and say that Luke's response was easy, because it wasn't. Last year I had to be strong for both of us, I had to be the reasurring voice that kept us both above the water, and I also had to contend with all my new emotions, along with 101 new hormones.


I felt that I should have been on the recieving end of the reassuring voice, and not the one having to talk him down. I just wanted him to want the life we had both created from day one, just knowing that in the end, everything would work out. Somehow I knew everything would be fine, but Luke didn't seem quite as convinced.

I kept hoping that after the first scan things would change and we could talk about how excited we were. I don't re-call ever hearing Luke tell me he was excited at becoming a Daddy.

For a while I didn't feel I could voice my excitement to Luke and that really hurt. I have never written down how hard some of those pregnancy days were. I am just thankful everyday, that I followed my heart and made the right decision.

I think there is nothing quite as scary as the unknown, and combine that with the un-expected, you then have one hell of a combination to contend with.

My expecting story was not the ideal scenario and happy smiley faces, but somewhere inside I knew that everything would be alright. I knew that Luke would be a great Dad,  and I knew as soon as Leo entered the world that Luke would be bessotted.


I can't change my expecting story, but I will always let Leo know just how loved and wanted he has always been. I am very creative and when L:eo asks the question, I will tell him the most amazing story of our journey together from bean to baby.

Laura xx

A Mother's Instinct...

A Mother's Instinct is to protect her offspring from whatever life may throw their way. It is keeping them safe, happy and content. So what would you do if someone made your child feel Ugly? Fat? and that their purpose in life was un-important?

What if your child became victim to a group of malicious bullies?

I am writing this post as a family friend is currently battling this exact issue. Her 10 year old son is in First School, and supposed to be having the time of his little life. This is not the case...He is sobbing himself to sleep at night and quite honestly being pushed further and further into the lurks of depression. Who has the right to make another human being feel this way? No-one.

School's are supposed to be responsive to all bullying issues, but any attempts to speak to the head teacher and reach a resolution have been in vain. It has taken weeks for an appointment to be set up, and even now nothing has been done. In fact...This poor child has now hit rock bottom. He has endured enough taunts and finally snapped at one of the children, pushing him up against the wall. Of course...Guess who got the blame. The child being bullied, the child who has had enough.

This fills me with such anger, I know that I would jump through hoops to stop Leo ever feeling emotions like this. I would not be held accountable for my actions if I ever have to intervene with a bully, that was making my Son's life a living hell. I would expect 200% commitment from the school in the resolution to the problem and I would make sure I had their full attention. Their lives would not be worth living if they failed, and god help them if Luke had to get involved.

If I ever thought Leo was inflicting such feelings on anyone I would be so angry, I would be immensely disappointed and the punishment would be according. In my minds eye, he will be one of those people offering his hand out to pick someone up, who has fallen down on their luck. I am sure that if he is anything like his Daddy, this will most certainly be the case.

The School in question are now under the belief that the bullies are actually the victims. If any punishment is handed out, it is actually to the child who can't sleep for worry, and when he can shut his tired eyes, those tears still stream down his little cheeks. No Mother wants to hear the words 'I wish I was dead' but that is how he feels, and that is what he said.

So where are all these new campaigns to help a child suffering? The ones that always make the news and show results? stopping the bullies in their tracks? And why are they not being implemented here? Do they even exist???

This all needs to stop!

No child should think so little of themselves. Things need to change, and a smile needs to be put back on that 10 year old's face.

What would you do if your child was in a situation like this? If he is pulled from the School and re-located to another, he moves to Middle School in September and will just meet up with them all again there, where I am sure things will pick up where they left off.

Things need to be handled here and now.

Do you have any experiences of bullying and a resolution?

Laura xx

My Very Happy Boy...

I seem to find myself posting so many videos of Leo laughing. I do have one very happy baby boy, Maybe the most happy chappy in the entire world!

I find this incredible, as 9 times out of 10, Leo is just in a incredible mood. He is just utterly gorgeous!

So I bring you yet another happy, smiley and contagious video of Leo laughing.

He has such a belly laugh and it always puts a grin on my face.

Feel free to share, and turn any of those frowns upside down!

Laura xx

Mother's Day Saving's For Husband's On A Budget...

Stuck for Mother's Day Gifts or just want ideas? Save.co.uk have some great inspiration and voucher codes for a lovely discount!

What with Valentine’s Day, Christmas and the New Year all not long ago, some of us might still be feeling the pinch as we approach Mother’s Day. We all want to show mum a good time, so Save.co.uk has put together some tips for how to have a great day with mum on March 18th, as well as some packages suited to her lifestyle.

• Make mum a book of vouchers that she can redeem any time for things like washing dishes, looking after younger siblings, or just an hour to herself without worrying that the house will burn down
• Make reservations for a Mother’s Day meal early so as not to be disappointed
• Flowers are the perfect supplement to any Mother’s Day present- make sure to look around the Web for discounts on purchase or delivery
• Many charities require just a minimum donation to make a difference in the life of a child, so consider contributing even a small amount on mum’s behalf

Save.co.uk Offers Packages for Every Type of Mum this Mother’s Day

Spoil Mum on Sunday, March 18th without breaking the bank

Save.co.uk, the discount voucher code website, has today released a number of money-saving voucher packages perfect for every type of mother this Mothering Sunday- from mums-to-be to empty nesters.

“Giving mum a collection of gifts that show how much you appreciate her as an individual means a lot more than just a bunch of flowers,” said Allison Nawoj of Save.co.uk. “Save.co.uk has made it easy and cost-effective to spoil mothers rotten this year with a package of presents perfectly suited to her lifestyle.”

Mum-to-Be Package
She’s probably been showered with plenty of gifts for her upcoming little one, so why not give your favorite mum-to-be some treats for herself? She’ll appreciate the thought and enjoy the “me time” she has left before the baby arrives.

·         FeelUnique beauty products: £3 off £30 all orders; MAMAMIA; expires 18 March
·         Activity Superstore beauty and relaxation: 20% off voucher; MBR20; expires 18 March

New Mum Package
For mums that are celebrating Mother’s Day for the first time, get her a gift that will honor her new role. Be sure to check out items like birthstone jewelry or photography accessories. Don’t forget that new mums want to remember every hiccup and smile, so a keepsake journal will let her record her memories of this special time.

·         Links of London birthstone/initial charms: Free Delivery; MDFREE; expires 14 March
·         Snapfish photo books/online photos: 20% off £20 voucher; 20MUM2012; expires 31 March
·         Blurb.com journal/keepsake book: 15% off £7.95; 15OFFMARCH; expires 31 March

Empty Nest Mum Package
When the kids grow up and leave home, an empty nest mum is bound to have more free time on her hands! She’s likely going to want some activities to keep her busy. Think about buying her some entertaining gifts to spark potential new interests and hobbies.

·         Craft Superstore craft supplies: 10% off £60; MUM38; expires 18 March
·         Bunches flowers: 10% off voucher; SAVECOUK; expires 31 May
·         Activity Superstore hobby supplies: 15% off voucher; MDAY15; expires 18 March

Grandmother Package
Doting on grandchildren is right out of the grandmother handbook. Return the favor this Mother’s Day by treating your mother or grandmother to gifts that celebrate her cherished family tree and thank her for her help.

·         Snapfish photo books/online photos: 20% off £20 voucher; 20MUM2012; expires 31 March
·         Totes Isotoner slippers, umbrellas and more: 15% off all orders; SAVECOUK15; never expires
·         Swarovski gift: 10% off £100; MDUKAFF2012; expires 18 March
·         Arena Flowers: 12% off all orders; SAVECOUKMUM12; expires 18 March

Active Mum Package
If your mum is always in workout gear and seldom without her gym tote, consider picking out a selection of gifts that will make her workout easier and more efficient.

·         Activity Superstore workout gear: 15% off voucher; MDAY15; expires 18 March
·         New trainers from Reebok: 5% off voucher; REE5PCT12; expires 31 March

Foodie Mum Package
Is your mum a Nigella Lawson wannabe, always cooking up something new and relishing every minute in the kitchen? Think about picking up culinary items to celebrate her delicious interests!

·         Sweets from Hotel Chocolat: 10% off £30 all orders; SAVESPR10; expires 8 April
·         Sainsbury's appliances/kitchen items: £10 off £200; 7LGY-6KNP-JQRY; expires 19 March
·         Waterstones cookbooks: 10% off £20 on books; KB4932; expires 31 March

Working Mum Package
With her work duties and family responsibilities, working mums sometimes need help keeping it all together. Show the working mom in your family how much you appreciate her efforts with gifts that fit her busy lifestyle.

·         VistaPrint personalized calendar or business cards: £10 off £20; 10OFF20AW; expires 31 March
·         Beautiful bouquets from Arena Flowers: 12% off all orders: SAVECOUKMUM12; expires 18 March

Voucher codes can help people save money all year round. Thousands of Brits visit Save.co.uk every month for the latest savings in travel, apparel, electronics, health and beauty, gifts and much more.

Welcome To The Mad House...

Welcome to the mad house, where all is not as it seems. On the outside it looks fairly normal and you would never suspect a thing, but inside those walls, behind that front door... it is a whole other story. There is always someone shouting, more often than not the younger siblings will be arguing over the television..and each door will have been slammed at least 10 times. There is always something going on and never really a quiet moment.


In this 5 bedroom house live 7 people, yes that's right! 7 people! My parents, My Brother and Sister, Luke, Myself and Leo.


You see this is my parent's house, Luke and I were going to be gone long before Leo was born. Things never work out as you planned though do they? We were going to buy a house before I started to show my baby bump, however that all fell through and there was no-where that really screamed at us to make that big step into buying our first home.

The months crept on...and on. My tummy expanded and that perfect house never came up, so we stayed put under the pre-tense that their would be enough room while Leo was still in his moses basket, Luke and I had discussed renting when the time came for Leo to move into his cot. It was then that my dad came up with a plan to turn the un-used dining room into another bedroom. My younger Sister had decided she would leap at the chance of a bigger bedroom downstairs and that then freed her room up to house Leo, giving Luke and I the opportunity to save money when I return to work, give us a better financial standing and eventually give us the chance to buy our own home. In the mean time it meant that Leo could move into his cot bed and have his own room.

You see this 5 bedroom house is full to bursting. I am one of four siblings and up until the end of last year we had all lived at home...In the mad house. My younger brother moved out with his Girlfriend just after the plans to convert the dining room had begun, leaving another room empty.

However the mad house is about to become even more busy and hectic. You see my brother is moving back home and bringing his Girlfriend, you see.. His Girlfriend is Pregnant. They currently live in the middle of no where so they want to come back home, save, and be out around August time. The baby is estimated to be with us around October which means that I am going to be an Auntie!

I found out this amazing news around four weeks ago, I was the first person to know...Which was a real honour. It brought back memories of when I first found out I was Pregnant. I didn't believe it and nor did she, all until you see that little bean on the Sonographer's screen for the first time. The scan is booked for the 20th March and then we will know exactly how far along she is. You see she is estimated to be 10 weeks....However her bump does not look that of a 10 week pregnancy. I know everyone shows in their own time, but the thought remains: Is she further along? Or could she be carrying twins? The picture on the right, is my bump progression!


Everyone is very happy and I can't help thinking just how perfect it all is. The age gap between bean and Leo is going to be just over a year. In the long run that age gap is going to be nothing, and I am sure they will be the best of friends!


So next month the move will take place, my Brother and Heather will be back at home in the mad house. It is a crazy place to live but it is also home. I think when the time does come to move out of the mad house, it will take a while to adjust to the silence.


In this 5 bedroom house live 9 people, yes that's right! 9 people! My parents, My Two Brother's and Sister, Luke, Myself, Leo, and finally my Brother's Girlfriend Heather. Of course if you count Bean...then I guess that's almost 10!


I am sure everyone feels they live in the mad house at some point along the way. Every family has their life adventures. We just live them all from the Mad House, just outside normality, where nothing is as it seems.