Whats Your Theme Tune?

The fabulous Sarah from Mumra has asked 

What would be the theme tune of your life?

This turned out to be quite hard to answer, I mean of all the songs ever devised which one would I bestow this honour on?

In the end I have chosen a song which is not my favourite all time song, or one that sums me up personally. It does, however, remind me of my school days with my 3 best friends and the fact that the film it comes from is the one film that we have watched repeatedly over the years!!! I guess this song just brings back happy memories of them and my youth, and the times now that we meet up as Dirty dancing normally gets a mention at some point! This is why I have chosen it really. 

Remember, no one puts Baby in the corner!!

Whats yours? Link up to Mumrara now

Silent Sunday - iBoy (Smart Arse)

Fill In The Blanks - Meme

The lovely Funky Wellies has tagged me. I have been given 7 open sentences to be completed, in an attempt to define who I am!! I hope you enjoy reading my definitions.


So here we go:


I am… fairly content at the moment with my life. I have a gorgeous son who I adore and who has made my life complete and worthwhile. I have another baby on the way and it's an exciting, if nerve racking, time at the moment. My relationship with their daddy is better than say a year ago, and I hope this stays so after the new arrival in April. So yeah I am lucky and thankful and reasonably happy :)

The bravest thing I have ever done is...probably when I started up my own business back in July 2004. I bought a little cafe, having had no experience in catering or running a business! Prior to that I worked in a marketing type environment but I always dreamed of owning a little coffee shop, and one day I saw a cafe up for sale, was able to borrow the money to buy it and within a month I changed my life! I loved that cafe to star with, I as always changing the menu and crafting new fillings for paninis and sandwiches and hot drink specials. Unfortunately, the best seller was the breakfasts which I made which I kind of carried on from the previous owners as it was integral to the cafe menu! Still during the 5 years I ran the cafe, the coffee shop side of the business did take off.
Once I found out I was pregnant, I decided to sell the cafe as I couldn't hold down two full time jobs at the same time!




I feel prettiest when… well this is hard for me to answer! I don't feel, haven't felt pretty for a long time! Mostly I feel and look tired and although I have a pregnancy 'glow' about me, apparently!, I also have a lot of extra weight on me, aswell as nasty veins and markings on my puffy achey legs! I know these are things which are, hopefully, temporary and will be rectified with some will power in the months (maybe years!) after baby number two is born. Then I will probably feel a bit more comfortable with myself again. 
However, whenever I am able to get my hair washed and straightened at the hairdressers, this does help me to feel prettier and more confident. I guess my last night out with the girls last July was an example of this, which is the photo I use for my twitter avatar. Its just a confidence thing really.



Something that keeps me awake at night is… my bump! It is getting uncomfortable now and I often wake up on my back, needing to use the loo and then struggling to get up and out of bed! I must look like a beached whale but the wrong way round LOl still, after April it will be the product of my bump that keeps me awake at night, so I won't complain about the bump anymore!




My favourite meal is....hard to choose just one! I suppose a highlight is home cooked roast beef with all the trimmings, a wide selection of vegetables and of course tasty rich beef gravy. I like lots of gravy on my roast dinner and feel most put out if I ever eat a roast out and there is not much on my plate! I also enjoy salmon with prawns baked in foil with butter, lemon and pepper and served with salad leaves and mini roasties, something I don't eat often as the OH does not like fish unless it is encased in breadcrumbs and made into fingers! mind you a good lasagne is good too!



The way to my heart is... to make me laugh, feel loved, feel wanted/needed and talk to me and to be a best friend aswell as someone who loves me. A little bit of romance would be nice too.

I would like to be… so many things! Slimmer again after pregnancy and get back into those jeans for one things! However, mainly I just want to be the best mummy I can be and to be happy, healthy and to love and enjoy my life :)

I will now tag the following lovely ladies:


@Beckicklesie
@jessies_online
@jaynecrammond
@helloitsgemma

Flashback Friday

This weeks photo is another childhood oldie!





It would have been taken around June/July 1984 at my primary school in Newbury, Berkshire which was called Shaw-Cum-Donnington. Every year we would have a school photo taken. It was only a small school and this would have been the 3rd and 4th years pupils, the latter group of which I was in. The lady at the back was the headmistress.

Question is, can you guess which one is me?

Burton, wheres the baby?

Our new moses basket and crib have arrived for the baby this week. We had to order new as last time we borrowed a Moses basket so have nothing to re-use this time!

OH assembled it all on Tuesday night and of course Burton wanted to 'help' mostly by playing with the boxes and and holding the screw driver for daddy. OH decided to try and explain to Burton that these new things were for the baby (not even sure of Burton knows what one is!) and he told him that there was a a baby in Mummy's tummy, and when it was here we would put it in the moses basket.

When asked where the baby was afterwards, Burton pointed to my tummy but when asked where we are going to out the baby, Burton chose his own special place to put it as this video shows:

Well, as my Mum commented after we showed her the footage, if it's good enough for Mummy to eat and be in her tummy then it's good enough for Burton to eat too!

The Gallery - Expressions

This weeks The Gallery theme set by Tara over at Sticky Fingers is EXPRESSIONS.

Burton has always been very expressive - the health visitor commented on her visits in the weeks after he was born, that she rarely sees a baby show so many different facial expressions!

Here are a few taken during his first 3 months



As he still isn't saying any words at the moment, I guess it is through his gestures and facial expressions that he is able to communicate so well with us! He is certainly able to get across his point most of the time!

Here are some latest Burton expressions taken tonight during his shower.



Funny boy :)

Silent Sunday - Living In A box!

Lynton & Lynmouth

Living here in the Westcountry, I am surrounded by stunning scenery, beaches, woodland etc... that I guess is taken for granted when you are a resident here. With half term coming up, if any of you are down this way or will be at some point, why not visit the North Devon towns of Lynton & Lynmouth for a few hours.









The breath taking combination of sweeping moorland with high, rugged, tree-clad cliffs and inviting sheltered bays make Lynton and Lynmouth almost unique.

Both towns grew up slowly around two splendid deep and wooded river valleys, those of the East and West Lyn which have their beginnings in a maze of tiny streams high up on Exmoor and meet as they reach the sea at Lynmouth.


It was during the Victorian era that these twin towns were made into holiday resorts, and their peaceful and quaint charm led the Victorians to call them the 'Little Switzerland of England'.

The two towns also feature
the famous Cliff Railway which operates at a
gradient of 1:1 3/4 covering a
 vertical height of approximately 500 feet.
The gauge is 45 inches and each car has a 700 gallon water tank
which is filled at the top and emptied at the bottom, thus causing
the lower car to be pulled up to Lynton,

while the heavier car from the top descends to Lynmouth. The Cliff Railway was officially opened in 1890 and is a fun way to transport yourself from one town to the other, combined with some spectacular views as you travel on it.

1952

However, the history of Lynmouth will be forever overshadowed by the tragedies that happened on August 15th/16th 1952. Britain and the world responded immediately when 90 million tons of rain fell on Exmoor in twenty-four hours which created a flood that took 34 lives (including 28 in Lynmouth / nearby Barbrook) and destroyed many buildings in the area.

2009

There is a museum in Lynmouth which has lots of information and photographs of the flood disaster which is a really interesting place to visit.


There are also lots of souvenir shops, ice cream parlours, handmade fudge shops and eateries where you can enjoy one of these mmmmm!!


The last time I visited this beautiful place and rode on the cliff railway was back In July 2009, I remember it very well because the next morning my contractions started! Must have been that exhilarating railway journey mixed with a cream tea :0











Dont forget to check out the other great ideas for SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND over at the Thinly Spread blog

Flashback Friday

I love having a nose at other peoples photos and posting my own, which is why I am such a huge supporter of both The Gallery and Silent Sunday. However, now I have another chance to be a photo voyeur as Karin from Cafe Bebe has started a brand new feature called:





Karin explains:
For now, let’s just get the ball rolling. Look back in your photo archives. It can be a picture of you as a child…your child in the early days/months/years…your house before a makeover…a winter photo…a “one year ago today” photo…The sky’s the limit. Just take us back in time. Share some words to take us there and we can all get nostalgic and smiley remembering “when”.


So here is my Flashback Friday photo






This photo was taken I think around this time of the year but back in 1984!!!! So I would have been 9 coming up 10. The dog belonged to my grandparents and was called Kate, and I loved that dog. Apparently, when I was younger still, I used to like 'singing' along to Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush sat in Kate's dog basket, and would perform it in front of my family with Kate, being ever so patient, by my side. I wanted to write into Jim'll Fix It and ask for me and Kate the dog to sing it with Kate Bush. Thankfully, that never happened! Lol


Don't forget to check out the other entries and why not enter and support Flashback Friday yourself?

Fade Out - Review & Giveaway

Fade Out - the advanced skincare range which is affordable for most budgets - has been relaunched with a new improved formulation and a packaging make over! The Fade Out products claim to visibly brighten, even out skin tone and revive a youthful, natural glow in just 4 weeks!


THE SCIENCE PART
The skin care formula contains Niacinamide, and together with mulberry and liquorice, both being powerful active natural ingredients, Fade Out has been clinically proven to offer visible skin results in just four weeks, which is some claim!


In fact Fade Out has been relaunched and reformulated to give it's premium allies a run for their money! The range now offers an advanced formula which aids women, and indeed men, to ease and prevent pigmentation problems like sun and age spots, freckles, and hyper pigmentation. Also to accomplish a flawless, youthful radiance in 3 specifically targeted ways:


1. Prevention - to penetrate deep into the skin's outer layers, to impede melanin from reaching the upper skin layers thus skin appears lighter
2. Correction - pin points problem areas of hyper pigmentation, skin discolouration, age and sun spots, thus dark areas fade
3.Future Defence - improves cell renewal process, slowing down and inhibiting the build up of more dark spots, thus skin remains lighter


Fade Out consists of 5 skin care products:


White Original Moisturising Cream, 50ml
White Protecting Day Cream SPF15, 50ml
White Nourishing Night Cream, 50ml
White Rejuvenating Anti Wrinkle Cream, 50ml
White Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream,15ml


MY REVIEW
I was lucky enough to be sent a sample of the Original Moisturising Cream and the Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream to trial and review. On first impressions, both products feel and look more expensive than they actually are. The packaging is informative and explains exactly the message behind what Fade Out, the brand, is setting out to achieve with it's target consumers skin and their care of it. The creams themselves feel luxurious on the skin, which I think is always a good sign of a quality product.





Now being a full time SAHM I have to admit that my skin is not at its best, and I am sure this applies to many fellow mummies! My 'au natural' skin is blotchy and pale with red tints and I have dark circles under my eyes (sound familiar?), and whereas up until my 30's I never wore any face coverage make up, nowadays before I leave the house I wear an eye brightening concealer under my eyes, a foundation on my cheeks and a bit of bronzer on my cheeks to give me a healthier glow! So I was curious to discover whether these two Fade Out products would actually do what they say on the tin, so to speak! I have been using both products for about 4 weeks so that my review would last the duration of how long the product claims it tales to make a difference to your skin.






The Moisturising Cream
I have to admit it doesn't have the nicest aroma when compared to some creams I have used in my time, but hey it if it works I don't really see that as a big problem! A little certainly goes a long way, because after using it daily for the past few weeks I have hardly made a dent in the pot! It goes into the skin very easily and it is not greasy int the slightest, in fact it feels rich and a quality product. I really do think my skin feels softer and even though I do wear make up over the moisturiser, I think my skin looks smoother and healthier. I know that being pregnant I am meant to have a natural 'glow',lol, but a couple of people have commented on how much my face looks glowing and how well I look (which they wouldn't say I am sure if they saw me first thing before I begin my skin care routine!).


This cream retails at £7.99 which I think is excellent value for money when compared to the leading moisturising creams available in this sector.





Anti Shadow Brightening Eye Cream
This product claims to reduce shadows that appear under eyes and delay the signs of ageing. Well, I have dark skin underneath my eyes for which I use a skin brightener to help make me look more awake and alert!


I have to say that this brightening cream is brilliant, it covers up my dark patches and again a little goes a long way. It is tinted so it blends in with the skin very easily. Despite them being a bit blood shot at times, I think that after using this product for 4 weeks my eyes definitely look brighter and the skin less dark. It's fragrance is pleasant too!


The formulation contains Vitamin A which helps to hydrate the skin and helps it to produce collagen which, in turn, assists the skin in looking firmer. Also the light reflecting particles hidden inside the cream is what allows it to conceal the imperfections of the skin.


Again at just £8.99 I think the eye brightening cream is also excellent value for money knowing how much I have spent on these type of products myself.


Both of these products, aswell as the complete Fade Out range, are available from Boots and all good independent pharmacies.


GIVE AWAY


I have 1 of the Fade Out Moisturising Creams and 1 of the Fade Out Eye Brightening Creams to give away to 2 lucky Mummy Mishaps readers! All you need to do is:


*tell me how many weeks the Fade Out products have clinically proven it takes to make a difference to your skin


*leave your twitter name so I can contact you if you win


*tell me if you have a preference to either one of the products or if you don't mind say so


*for an extra entry please RT my link to let others know about the give away


Thank you.


The closing date is Friday 25th February, 2011


THE COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

The Gallery - Togetherness

Following Valentine's Day, this weeks Gallery theme set by Tara at Sticky Fingers, is TOGETHERNESS. I feel my post is a bit anti loved up, but I don't have any recent together photos to use of the three of us,and this is my blog and my interpretation of the theme!

This is one of the last photos I have of my parents together before they went their separate ways in 1996.


My parents got together very young they had only known each other a month before they found out they were expecting me: they were just 17 (Mum) and 19 (Dad). They married a few months later and after having me, my brother came along 2 1/2 years later. Although they stayed together until 1996, there were affairs and separations before then, and although we had some good times together as a family, I look back now on my childhood and mostly remember the arguments and fall outs. Don't get me wrong, I am not making out I was hard done by, but sometimes I think people stay together for the wrong reasons. They stayed together, I believe, for the sake of my brother and I.

Due to the memories I have of my parents 'togetherness' it has made me determined that I don't want my children to have memories like that. Yes of course there will be disagreements and arguments in their lives, but I hope if they are between Jon and I, we will try not do do it from of them.

Although he and I had been together for 3 years before I found out I was pregnant with Burton, the pregnancy and the months after were trying on our relationship. (It wasn't that we hadn't planned to have a baby it just raised some relationship issues - but that's another story!) There was a great deal of shouting, upset and disagreements, and I was actually wondering for a while if things wouldn't be better for Burton, and us, if we split up.

I am glad to say that since finding out I am pregnant for a second time, we have been better together and asides from the occasional raised voice in front of Burton, we have managed to work together well as parents and we get on again and are happier together.

Therefore, Jon and I share a togetherness - a bond if you like - being parents to Burton




And will to our new baby in April too.




I also hope that we are together for us as well. I don't want to make the same mistakes my parents did.

It's All Rasta Stupid, If You Ask me!

So another kids TV programme is causing uproar among parents! This time the 'offending' programme is Rastamouse, which is aimed at the under 6's and is shown just before tea time on CBeeebies. The story revolves around Rastamouse, a skateboarding cool dude mouse, and his friends Scratchy and Zoomer , who are all crime solving secret agents who work for the President, and who also play in a reggae band. So what's the problem you may be asking yourself?

Apparently, as the name of the show would suggest, the characters speak in a Jamaican Patois and use phrases such as 'irie' (which means happy) and 'ting' instead of thing! Well, I expect you are shocked by that aren't you? That a rastamouse would speak in Jamaican!






The BBC has received complaints from viewers depicting the show as being racist, that it contains stereotype black people and is full of slang words and not liking the language used by the characters!

I will be honest I have only seen a couple of episodes, as it is on at a time that Burton and I don't tend to watch CBeebies. However, from what I have seen I really don't understand why there has been such an uproar! It is just a bit of fun and infact I think it is refreshing to see a children's TV programme that reflects a different culture, afterall we do live in a multi cultural society and it's good for children from all cultures to see what other ones exist. Most of it's target audience (not the parents, I know a lot of you enjoy this show!) are too young to probably get the humour it conveys anyway, and watch it to see the adventures of the mice and listen to the reggae music. Ok so some children may well repeat some of the terminology from the programme at school, but does that matter? Phrases from popular TV shows such as Little Britain and the Catherine Tate show, for example, have been repeated by teens and adults alike and the content of these programmes have been a tad risque, so what's the difference?

I know that when I was growing up Grange Hill was always in the news for controversial story lines as was Byker Grove. In recent times the Teletubbies
was hugely criticised for it's choice of language it's lead characters adopted and for possibly having a gay Teletubby!





The 'ting' is Rastamouse is thriving - it is currently the most watched CBeebies programme on iPlayer, and has the biggest cult following since the Teletubbies. A single from the show is being released which has even been played on Radio 2 , i know this because this is how my Mum heard about the show!

I think the parents who have complained need to quite frankly get a life, and if they don't approve of it then there is a switch on their remote which can turn the television off - you get me?! :)







Please share your thoughts, I would love to hear them. Thanks.

Silent Sunday - Rally Driver

Park Life

As it gives nice weather today, I have a feeling we will be going to our local park again. Last Saturday we took Burton and it was our first visit to it since he has been able to walk, so he walked all the way there from our house, which is probably about 1/2 a mile. We a really lucky because the park is very close to us and it's a lovely one.

Aswell as having a children's playground, it also has lots of grassy open spaces with trees (ideal for picnics in the summer and kicking a ball about), a skate park, a bowling green, tennis court, a little hut that sells refreshments ad it is is next to a river so there are swans and ducks to be fed too!

It was the first time Burton walked so far and he did really well with his monkey back pack, which are reigns,






and got very excited when we reached the gates to the playground, and wanted to be set 'free'



He loves the slide




and when he realised he wasn't able to slide down very easily in an upright position,








he decided to turn over and go down on this tummy instead!

He also enjoys going on the swings, and aswell as the baby ones we let him have a go in the big boy swing which he enjoyed very much!




The great thing about going to the park at the weekend is that Daddy can come with us and even join in on some of the rides!




I think when we visit the park today, I will take some bread so we can feed the ducks aswell and hopefully it won't be quite as blustery as it was last Saturday!

For more ideas for Something For The Weekend, please check out the Thinly Spread blog.

Colourful Me

I've been tagged in another meme by Carolin from Mummy Alarm who asked me to get thinking about myself and what certain colours mean to me. 

White

White makes me think of snow and clouds. Yet is also reminds me of newborn babies, dressed all in white and smelling all, well baby like!   

Brown

Brown reminds me of hot chocolate mmmm nothing nicer on a cold day than a warming mug of it! Of course it is even yummier topped with creamand marshmallows. 
Now I am thinking about chocolate cake which is brown, mmm with lots of chocolate buttercream in the middle and on top! Yum! :0

Purple

Purple reminds me of the quality street chocolate (yes, chocolate again!) in the purple wrapper!! 

It also makes me think of the Prince song Purple rain, which I am not a fan of but it popped into my head when i thought of the colour.

Orange

Orange makes me think of oranges really!  
Well maybe clementines, satsumas and mandarins too lol. It is not a colour I would wear......oh wait I did once own an orange satin shirt back in 1992 .......oh and an orange jumper which I wore with yellow jeans back in 1987!!! I know, what a dedicated follower of fashion I was!

Yellow

To me, yellow is a happy colour. It makes me think of the sun, summer and holidays. Also sunflowers which always seem like such happy flowers. Talking of all things happy, let us not forget Mr Happy :)

So now I need to tag some people. I am going to tag:


* Sarah from Mumrara


* Lynsey from yummymummysuk


* ChocOrangecitymum (well you have got a colour in your bog name!)


* Laura from TheMummyLifee


All you have to do is copy the same five colours to your blog post and add what they mean to you. It could be a word, it could be a more detailed description. The important thing is not to think too hard about it.