#MeAndMine - A Family Portrait (February 2015)

I find myself saying the same thing at the end of each month over the last 6 months or so.

"Where has the month gone?"

This month is no exception.

I wish I had a pause button sometimes as there just aren't enough hours in the day.

Now we are coming into March which is the month of both MC and TC's birthdays (6 and 3 respectively) so that will be busy. It's my Mum's 70 in April and then May we are off to Orlando again! I have so much to organise it's untrue.

February has seen us on short breaks away twice. The first, just Matt and I to York to celebrate 11 years of love and happiness together and we've also went away with Matt's parents for 3 nights to Center Parcs at the beginning of the half-term school holidays.

We'd never been away with them before and we'd also never been to Center Parcs. If I am totally honest, neither Matt nor I were really looking forward to the weekend. We were worried for various reasons and one being we didn't think we would like Center Parcs. We didn't think it was 'our thing'.

I'm pleased to report that we were both pleasantly surprised by Center Parcs. We went to Whinfell Forest in Cumbria and it was lovely. Our lodge was immaculate and had it's own private jetty onto the lake and everyday we had an abundance of wildlife on our patio - it was like being in a Disney movie! The children had a lovely time with their Grandparents who they don't see as often as my parents who live a few miles away and Matt and I got lots of time to ourselves again. Would I go back? The jury is still out on that one. If we did I think it would definitely have to be in term-time because the price Center Parcs charge in the school holidays is outrageous!

My mother-in-law took our Me And Mine photographs this weekend and her photographs are usually terrible she isn't known for her photography skills but she did me proud.

Oh and yes, I've gone back blonde again...

12 Weeks - 12 Photos

I can't believe this time 12 weeks ago we were a family of 3.

It feels like Tiny Ched has always been with us in some respects as he's fitted right in. Mini Cheddar adores her little brother so much and to see them together melts my heart. He is fascinated by her and if he's being a bit naggy I can always rely on MC to cheer him up.

I have to say, we are truly blessed.

I'm not saying the past 12 weeks have been easy - not at all. There have been some days that have been awful due to illness, sickness and/or wind. These days usually happen when Matt is away with work! Don't you just hate that law of sod!

However, TC definitely loves his sleep at night and I still can't believe that my exclusively breastfed boy will go nine and half hours without so much as a peep. I think it's helped establishing a night routine early on. When MC was a baby we just went with the flow and would often end up with her awake in the evening whilst we watched TV or something. She didn't start sleeping at any length for a long time. Or maybe it's the fact TC is a typical Lucas male? His Daddy, Grandad and Great Grandad all adore their sleep. A little too much sometimes!

Anyway, the fact is I love my little boy so much. He melts my heart completely. I've said before  I wondered how I would have enough love for another child.

Well I do.

My heart doubled in size 12 weeks ago.

I've been instagramming away these last 12 weeks and have managed to capture my little boys first 12 weeks. Looking at how much he's grown and developed in the last 12 weeks is amazing. It's made me realise how quickly it goes by and how I want to treasure these moments so much.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

That's my boy!

Time

My blog has been a tad neglected lately and so has my blog reading and for that, I apologise. I plan to catch up with everyone over the next few days. I promise.

My life seems to be passing in a blur. There aren't enough hours in the day sometimes. Although often I sit and ask myself "What have I actually done today?"

Often I can't answer.

I think it's something most mums experience.

I can't even claim to have a spotless house. I'm so behind with housework I think Kim and Aggie would have heart attacks if they popped by.

I can't claim to be snowed under with freelance work. It's a lot quieter on that front lately with things just ticking over nicely. I get behind on the little work I'm doing so I'm thankful that it's not too much right now.

I can't claim I'm taking care of myself. Yes I had my hair done a couple of weeks ago and looked half decent for about 2 days but that's well and truly gone now. Yesterday I opened the door to my glam neighbour. I looked like total crap - no makeup, hair scraped back and wearing baby sick on my shoulder. To make matters worse, 2 minutes after she left I realised the zip on my jeans was down. Oh the shame!

I can't claim to be spending time with Matt. He's so busy in his new job he's often working on the laptop until very late and I choose to just crash out.

I can't claim to be spending a lot of time with family or friends. On Tuesday of this week I actually went out for lunch with my parents - the most quality time I've spent with them in a long while. It was lovely to get out with them. I haven't seen my friends due to illness (them, me and the kids), immunisations (my kids) or just being busy doing other things or running out of time. I feel bad about that.

I can't really claim to be exhausted. Amazingly, Tiny Ched will sleep 9 hours at night without waking for a feed.

No, I can't claim a lot right now.

But I can claim this...

I'm enjoying having two beautiful children. Mini Cheddar makes me laugh every day and TC is starting to get a cute little personality and developing and growing well for only 11 weeks old. I'm extremely lucky. After MC I didn't think it would be possible to love another child as much but my heart has just doubled.

I'm loving being a mum of two and if that means I don't have time for other things right now then sobeit.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

My beautiful babies

Normal service will be resumed soon.