One year.

Today marks one year since I found out I was pregnant with Archie. It's amazing how fast time has gone. I still remember that day & that moment like it was yesterday. I remember the feeling of picking up the pregnancy test and seeing the second faint line.. I remember doing a double take because I almost put it in the bin without really looking at it. I remember going online and excitedly sharing the news with a group of online friends. It was the beginning of an amazing journey & Although I had the worst pregnancy I enjoyed every second and would give my arm and legs just to re-live each and every second of it. 

 ^ early weeks ^

 ^ 20 weeks ^

 ^ 30 weeks ^

 ^ 40 weeks ^

^ Archie, hour's old ^

Archie learns to laugh.

Archie has always been a very vocal baby and for the past 2-3 weeks he's been making laughing sounds but up until a few days ago that's all they were. During our little "play time" and while singing the Soft kitty song from the big bang theory my gorgeous baby boy had his first real giggle. It's fair to say I am one very proud and happy mummy. He has since laughed for his sister, daddy & grandma.

As well as being over the moon I am also slightly sad, it's just another reminder that my baby is growing up!

To do lists

This year - like most year's - I write a list of things I'd like to do, things I'd like to learn and places I'd like to visit. Last year, due to bad sickness during my pregnancy, I only managed a few of the things on my 2013 list. I had a baby, saw my daughter start at school & enjoyed some days out.

So this year I'd like to cross off some if not all of my to do's. 

1. Start and keep a blog

2. Learn to knit.

3. Make my house more homely.

4. Visit the beach

5. Visit a zoo.

6. Take Archie swimming for the first time.

7. Bake at least once a week.

..

First one is done, so I am now on to learning to knit. This one I am looking forward to, learning a new skill or talent is always a positive thing to do. Not only that but with two children, one who's very much into dolls and is always wanted a new outfit for them and the other who wear's alot of knitted jumpers, it's the perfect skill to learn. I used to do a bit of knitting, so I guess it's something I already can do, however I've never made anything only done a few stitches. So this year I want to make some knitted things.. 

A book of life.

I was talking to my mother about my grandfather (her dad) who died two weeks before my 9th birthday, about wishing I'd asked more questions and learnt more about his life. But as a child, I didn't care.. I didn't think to ask who his first love was, or what was the war like. I was in this bubble where, people didn't die they lived forever as I'd never had someone close to me die. Of course I'd heard about death but not experiencing myself meant I had no clue what it actually meant. It got me thinking, If I died tomorrow, what parts of my life would my children remember? what stories would they hear? There's so much I'd like to share with them, tiny moments that mean the world to me. So I got searching for something that could be used and kept for my children to read when I'm no longer around, something for them to laugh about, cry about and remember me. I found this book on Amazon called "All about me" (£7.99) it seemed perfect so I brought it. This little gem is going to filled with so many things, I'm excited about getting started!

First week of January.

Has already come and gone, and so far this month has been great. Eva heads back to school tomorrow, am I looking forward to early mornings again? No, especially not in this weather!! Eva on the other hand couldn't be more excited about going back to see her friends. Infact, since leaving for the school holidays on the 20th December she's asked every day if it's time to go back. I love that she enjoys school so much and I love hearing how fantastically  she's doing. She's a little bright spark that's for sure.

So from tomorrow it's just me and Archie, it's going to be strange. I have no clue what we shall do.. Baking is a must of course, though Archie being only 14 weeks old means he won't be much help just yet. I can see alot of snuggling going on together though.

Anyway back to this week, it's been spent mainly with the children. Bike riding, playing and having fun.

and not forgetting the green bath & the big bang theory

My children

 

Eva Ann Hopkins.

 Born, March 3rd 2009

at 9:29pm

weighing 5lb 15.5oz

- 4 weeks early -

Labour..

3 hours 14 minutes

gas & air

hospital birth

Archie Mark Hopkins

Born, September 28th 2013

at 2:42am

weighing 8lb 8oz

- 6 days late -

Labour..

2 hours 45 minutes

gas & air

unplanned home birth