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blackboard.

For a while now I have been wanting a blackboard for the kitchen. Somewhere to write encouraging notes, bible verses and reminders. I looked around but they all seemed wayyyy over priced and frankly not cool. So with the help of pinterest I made one myself.

Here's the finished product..

I love how it turned out. And how simple it was.

I bought the frame at a boot sale for £1. Ridiculously cheap right? It wasn't just a frame though, it had an acrylic painting inside. Because of the way the painting was secured to the frame, I decided I would just paint over the picture. Which I did after sanding it down with sandpaper first. It didn't come up really smooth which I am a bit disappointed about but I know that with more sanding it would have been better. Plus my husband just says it adds more character. 

I then used blackboard paint to paint over the picture. It needed four coats and the paintbrush left [paintbrush] streaks and with hindsight I know a roller would have been better. 

I love it. A cheap and unique alternative to my problem. Plus I get to write cute messages when friends come over which is so fun [we had The Olleys over yesterday and it was so much fun; good food, wii sports and lots of laughter!] and just what I wanted to have the chance to do.

This week I am going to try to post at least every other day. We'll see how it goes!

Christmas is coming.

I am back to work in 9 weeks! That may seem like forever to some but bear in mind I've been away from work for 26 weeks and it seems like no time at all left. Although I am trying not to focus on the difficulty of leaving my precious baby but am thinking ahead to Christmas.

I love Christmas. My husband and I have a cute tradition where we watch watch Home Alone, eat cheese and drink wine while tracking Santa. Yeah we are that cool! But I'm not only looking forward to this; I also love the giving of gifts. 

Sometimes I spend hours thinking about the perfect gift for someone and other times I just seem to stumble upon something brilliant but either way I really enjoy the chance to show my family and friends how much I love them.

Well this year is no different other than the fact that we have way less money. So gifts on a budget? Nah. Instead I am going to make as many of the gifts as I can all with the inspiration and help of Pinterest of course!

I have ideas for some people but I'm struggling for the guys. Any ideas?

Being a mumma.

Our sweet baby B is now 15 weeks old. I can't quite believe that time has flown by so quickly. I now have less time than I've already had with him before I go back to work. Wow. 

The last 15 weeks haven't always been easy but I thought I'd share some of the things that have helped me have some order in the chaos.

1. The knowledge that God is always with me. He can give me strength in the hard times and fill me with joy when I need reminding how precious our screaming baby is. I am not alone. EVER. Even at 3 in the morning when everyone else in the world is asleep. Spending time with God, reading my bible has really helped me in the small hours. Try #shereadstruth for great reading plans which can come straight to your iPhone.

2. Taking time for me. Even if it's only a quick trip to the shop to get that milk or a relaxing bath, it is important to take time out to rest and not always be responsible for the baby. My wonderful husband loves his Daddy-Harry time whether its 7 in the morning (yeah he gets up with the baby to let me have more time in bed! I am so blessed) or an evening while I visit a friend. 

NB - I have such a new respect for single parents who very often don't get the chance for a break! Do you know someone you could help out and give a break?

3. Tidying when the baby is napping. Although I will admit I am sometimes so tired I just crash on the sofa for another episode of ANTM (seriously I am addicted), I always try to do the jobs that are bugging me while Harry sleeps. Yeah, I know everyone says to rest when the baby sleeps but in an odd way tidying is relaxing for me and means that at the end of the day I can properly relax. I have never been one for tidying later.. it just bugs me having stuff left to clean.

4. Having a bedtime routine. We decided to try to instigate a routine once Harry went into his own room. We have always had a bath, fed and then cuddled but more recently I have included some gentle play and a story. I know he is still young but honestly reading to him has a calming effect and seems to even more clearly signal bedtime. Some nights he goes to sleep and we hear very little from him and some we're up and down the stairs a few times but it is so worth it because Matthew and I get some time together before we go to bed.

5. Reminding myself that he is only going to be little once. At some point he will be grown up and won't want to cuddle with mumma or play with daddy so we're gonna enjoy it while we can.

A long post I know but hopefully some interesting points for you to think over.

still learning.

I am still trying to get used to blogger so forgive my lack of chronology in posts.

The last post.. through the night.. was written two weeks ago but for some reason it was still a draft?!

I think part of the problem is that although I just got a new laptop (birthday present from my wonderful Matthew) prior to that I was mainly using my phone for internet related things and blogger just isn't the same on a phone. I can't work out how to justify my posts on a phone. Any ideas? Well, seeing as I am a perfectionist who only likes things that look right I can't post a blog unless it is justified!

Through the night.

Well Mr Harry George has slept all the way through the night twice now. At just 8 weeks!

The first time was Saturday night when he went 10pm til 5am and last night he slept 10.30 til 7am. What a wonderful boy we have.

I don't care if he doesn't do it again tonight or for a while we are just happy he's going in the right direction.

I've started reading a parenting book - I'll let you know what it's like. I already feel convicted about things and I'm still in chapter one.

pin it.

Pinterest is my new obsession.

I could quite easily while away the hours looking through recipes, projects and party ideas. There are some really fun ideas on there which give me great inspiration for things to make now and in the future.

I love looking for family activities and dreaming about spending my days creating with Harry (& possibly others?!) At the moment Harry spends his days feeding, sleeping, playing and smiling. And they are great days but I can't wait 'til we can start making things together. 

I'm even daydreaming about homeschooling.. it's a long way off and I always had my opinions about it but I kinda like the idea of teaching my baby.

Anyway, check out pinterest - it is lots of fun - but be warned it will take over your life.

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