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24/365 Dear Mum On Instagram,Thank you for your time - I know you don’t have long, so I’ll get to the point. I’ve read a few things recently, things that just haven’t sat right with me. Throwaway comments like ‘I wish I had time to be faffing about on Instagram!’ & ‘Honestly I just haven’t even thought to look at my phone recently!’ Only they aren’t throwaway, are they? They’re the usual snide, subtle, judgemental bullshit that we, as women, have come to know so well over the years. And the worst part? It’s usually from other women. Always, if we’re honest. Men couldn’t care less about that sort of pettiness. The irony being, those women are always being hypocritical. They’re still on here, scrolling… watching stories… feeling like they’ve had a cuppa with a friend or inspired by connecting through here, even if it’s silently.Because how many of us found a community through here at 2am while they were up feeding a restless baby? How many of us felt isolated when our bodies were torn apart by birth, whatever kind of birth you had, and felt comforted by another mother talking about it on here?Who has spent ten minutes scrolling through the pictures and words of other mothers on their phones while their kids run around at the park - because what are we supposed to do there once they’re 3?! - and felt like they’ve actually taken a little window of time for themselves, just those few minutes, only to get a judgmental look off supermum over there for being on your phone?I feel inspired on here. I feel listened to. I feel connected. I feel creative. I feel in the good company of others going through the same seasons of life as I’m in. Of course there is a world out of our phones, and it’s very important to be present in it. But nowadays there’s a world in them, too. Valuable connections and conversations. Some much needed escapism and understanding that I know makes me a better mother. I’ve learnt so much through this little app, ‘met’ wonderful people and been supported in ways I certainly wasn’t when I had a baby 17 years ago, pacing my floors, rocking her, crying alone with her because the rest of the world was asleep. Sincerely, Your Fellow Faffer

16/365 There’s blankets dotted about the house, baskets appearing in various rooms 🧺 - husband sighs of ‘I really don’t know why we bother, they will only ever sleep on you?!’ - csections being scheduled - further sighs of ‘you’ve scheduled a birth around the children’s class assembly?!’ - and the sweetest of knits appearing on our doorstep… She’s now the size of a coconut, weighs 3lbs - which probably doesn’t justify the 16lbs I’ve gained… that’s likely more hot chocolate than baby - and goodness my organs are feeling it. And it’s all the stuff of soft days, blurry nights and heart song…But I really need a foolproof heartburn cure please?! ANYTHING! #pregnancy #thebump #lifeafterloss #maternity #maternitywear #pregnancystyle #pregnancylife #thirdtrimester #ministylemag #pregnancyjourney #mamastyle #pregnancyannouncement #dearestviewfinder #gloomandglow #bloomandgrow #dearestviewfinder #thesincerestoryteller #thatsdarling #motherhoodinspired #simplethingsmadebeautiful #365challenge #pregnancyjourney #momtobe #momof5 #shopsmall #bumpside #28weekspregnant #honestmotherhood #maternityphotography

We had our 20 week scan today - Jackson actually managed to get off work to come with me, which is quite unheard of in military life! - and oh my goodness, it was just what I needed! I have been so detached through this pregnancy, the shock of it as we were once told we would likely never conceive children even through IVF, overwhelmed with sickness and exhaustion with a toddler who doesn’t sleep… I’m not saying I’m past being overwhelmed, but the moment I saw her putting her hands to her face on that screen there were tears running down my face in the best way. A beautiful healthy baby. Nova’s going to have a little sister to talk about girl stuff with, something I so craved as an only child - and still do. I’m sure she has her nose! If you need me, I’ll be buying baby socks… which may be pointless as they have never stayed on any of my four babies but I feel excited so let’s just overlook that 🥰 #songsofseasons #theartofchildhood #naturallightphotography #aestheticmotherhood #everydaymagic #thesimplelife #texturesandtones #theordinary #kinfolk #aquietstyle #hyggelifestyle #quietthechaos #yourvintagesoul #capturethemoment #pocketfullofpeace #simplejoys #seekthesimplicity #slowmoments #slowliving #mydarlingminimal #simplethingsmadebeautiful #slowlife #blissfulphotoart #thissimplescene #ourwhimsicaldays #theinstaretreat #folklife #aslowmoment #thesincerestoryteller #gloomandglow

F U L L T E R M I think I’ve taken about three bump photos this entire pregnancy… including this one 🙈 But it was a blustery walk to see the ducks & here’s a little iPhone documented moment. I hope she knows that she’s no less loved than her siblings, but understands that I’ve been so tired & ill this entire pregnancy. I can’t wait to have her in my arms and meet the tiny human who will complete our family… less than two weeks! Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend x #pregnancy #pregnancyannouncement #38weekspregnant #fullterm #bumpdate #nurseryinspo #projectnursery #maternitywear #maternitystyle #pregnancystyle #thebump #pregnancyjourney #preggo #mamasandpapas #genderreveal #discoverunder10k #bloomandgrowtogether #motherhoodrising #unitedmotherhood #neutralnursery #modernvintage #fatface #ministylemag #childhoodnostalgia #darlingdaily #betweencozymoments #ofwhimsicalmoments #simplethingsmadebeautiful #mymagicalmoments #pregnancydiary

Everything is a bit of a blur right now. There’s less than 3 weeks to go until this little soul becomes a big sister, and goodness I’m in a daze. I had a call from the midwife today, letting me know that my haemoglobin levels should be at least 110 ready for my C-section… but they’re 80, and she said I must feel like a corpse. She’s not wrong. I never thought adulthood would involve me being excited about things like new curtains and iron infusions! But it’s knocked the zing right out of me. The creativity, the laughs, the enthusiasm… but it will all be worth it in a couple of weeks with a sweet baby girl in my arms. I’m fully ready for all things blossom… warm days, birks, baking and gardening.I hope you’re all well, it feels like it’s been too long since we’ve caught up 🤍 #motherhoodinspired #ministylekids #ministylemag #slowdowncollective #thesimpleeveryday #clickproelite #poetryofsimplethings #talesofthemoment #frenchcountrystyle #cottagecoreaesthetic #wearethehomemakers #childhoodofnostalgia #bloomandgrow #bloomandgrowtogether #lookslikefilmkids #themagicofchildhood #myfloralvibe #ofsimplethings #floralsforspring #flowersandotherstories #homemakerlife #alliseeispretty #uniteinmotherhood #howwedwell #dearphotographer

On days when everything is feeling a little complicated, there’s nothing quite like having one of your best friends show up with her miniature, instruct you to have a bath, and just sit playing with your kids. Watching Nova make a little friend was quite wonderful, too. @jadebons was actually my bridesmaid and we’ve known each other forever - but life happens and we don’t see each other as often as I’d like. But Nova went from wrapping herself firmly around me declaring that I’m HER mummy, not THEIR mummy, to absolutely adoring Baby Bobs and telling Jade that she could be mum too 😂 Women really do need women. #motherhoodinspired #ministylekids #ministylemag #slowdowncollective #thesimpleeveryday #zarababygirl #poetryofsimplethings #talesofthemoment #frenchcountrystyle #underthefloralspell #wearethehomemakers #childhoodofnostalgia #bloomandgrow #bloomandgrowtogether #lookslikefilmkids #themagicofchildhood #gloomandglow #ofsimplethings #simplereminders #homemakerlife #alliseeispretty #uniteinmotherhood #howwedwell #dearphotographer #thesincerestoryteller

Today was supposed to be productive: A day out as a family followed by the folding away of freshly washed newborn baby clothes.It wasn’t. Instead, all I have accomplished is waddling around on my swollen little 8 month pregnant feet, cooked a stack of pancakes for lunch, and dozed off while watching Hercules with the children. I’m trying to be patient with myself, though. Speak to myself a little more like I would speak to a friend - I’ve never been much good at that. And when have children ever remembered a Saturday where there were pancakes as a bad thing?!I’m so excited to meet our daughter in just a few weeks time, less than four! But I do worry about Nova. She’s still so attached, so young in her attachment to me… maybe being a lockdown baby, maybe just being her. And so, erm, physical… I’m a little worried about having an incision around her, she’s just Bam Bam through and through! But I’m focusing on the sweet moments I remember with the others from when she was a newborn. While I was so sore from the C-section, they would sit with me while I read to them, or watch a film on the projector while I dozed. I’m also focusing on the fact that we’re going to be lucky enough to have another little woman in our family - SO soon, though these last four weeks are crawling 🙈 But she will be someone who will bring something to our lives that we never knew was missing, because that’s how it’s been with all of them. #pregnancy #pregnancyannouncement #35weekspregnant #sengergoose #nurserydecor #nurseryinspo #projectnursery #maternitywear #maternitystyle #pregnancystyle #thebump #prrgnancyjourney #preggo #mamasandpapas #genderreveal #discoverunder10k #bloomandgrowtogether #motherhoodrising #unitedmotherhood #neutralnursery #modernvintage #happylittleflatlays #ministylemag #childhoodnostalgia #darlingdaily #betweencozymoments #ofwhimsicalmoments #simplethingsmadebeautiful #mymagicalmoments #pregnancydiary

It’s officially baby month!This one still isn’t sure… I suspect this big sister lark is going to be a bit of a process with her. But growing into motherhood has certainly been a process for me, so we can hold each other’s hand through it.What’re you looking forward to in March?! It feels like the end of gloomy months is in sight doesn’t it 🌱 #motherhoodinspired #ministylekids #ministylemag #slowdowncollective #thesimpleeveryday #clickproelite #poetryofsimplethings #talesofthemoment #frenchcountrystyle #cottagecoreaesthetic #wearethehomemakers #childhoodofnostalgia #bloomandgrow #bloomandgrowtogether #lookslikefilmkids #themagicofchildhood #myfloralvibe #ofsimplethings #floralsforspring #flowersandotherstories #homemakerlife #alliseeispretty #uniteinmotherhood #howwedwell #dearphotographer

With teacher strikes happening, Killian’s school had World Book Day today, and I’m so relieved they didn’t just cancel it! He was up before sunrise - not an entirely welcome thing as his poorly little sister was up until an hour before sunrise… they tag team! - wanting to get his costume on. ‘When daddy wakes up, he will wonder why the BFG is eating his breakfast!’ I have spent a lot of the day worrying that we should have tried it on beforehand, as there’s a good chance his little bum isn’t going to be enough to hold the trousers up (not an issue I ever have) but also marvelling at what a fantastic little boy we have. What’s your view on the rewriting of Roald Dahl’s books? There’s been a lot of talk about it hasn’t there! #kidsbookswelove #worldbookday #bookday #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #creativebookstagram #kidlit #bookreviewer #bookaesthetic #raisingreaders #onourbookshelf #booksbooksbooks #booktography #bedtimestory #roaldahl #readingaddict #simpleliving #slowmornings #flatlaylove #cozyhome #bookaholic #darlingmoment #booklover #bookish #bookaesthetics #bookstamums #loveofbooks #thebfg

I’m not feeling like myself recently. While I’m exhaustedly enjoying days of pretend tea parties, walks and Disney films - I’m 34 weeks pregnant this week and terrified. Strangely, not about my c-section… despite it being major surgery with quite a horrendous recovery, the one I’ve had was so positive with a glorious team resulting in a healthy baby. I’m worried about the days following.There are some wonderful midwives out there - I have had brilliant care through all of my pregnancies. But I haven’t had the same care during my natural births or on the postnatal ward.A few days ago, I was peeling potatoes at the sink, listening to an old @melaniiemurphy video where she chatted about being on an understaffed ward, unable to stand up, pressing the button for help and feeling like a burden. My husband came into the kitchen to find me sobbing. I don’t think I’ve ever talked about it before, because I never want to sound ungrateful to the many wonderful doctors and midwives out there. But it threw me back to my ongoing pain being ignored in the minutes after my first birth, which resulted in a near fatal haemorrhage - my mum just remembers sobbing while blood was everywhere as a crash team rushed in. To being treated as an inconvenience after my csection as a midwife treated me with no dignity when I was in pain & vulnerable, skin falling off as a reaction to the dressing and she just yanked out a catheter resulting in an injury that lasted a year. To being told not to make any noise as I laboured with my second because there was a nervous patient on the ward and it would scare her. Something about what Melanie was saying hit me like a truck. My own midwife has been phenomenal through this pregnancy, and clearly has a very real understanding of birth trauma. I just want to be excited about meeting my baby, instead of having anxiety dreams about wards. If you’ve had trauma surrounding similar things, did you find anything helped get you into a better headspace and have a positive experience the next time? Any experiences shared would be greatly appreciated 🤍

Valentine’s… but do it better. By having a baby on 14th February so you completely forget to do anything romantic every year while everyone else has hearts in their eyes 🙈 But it’s wonderful to celebrate our daughter, celebrate all kinds of love and celebrate each other but collapsing onto a sofa with the duvet and watching Suits.Happy love day, darlings 💕We are a group of creatives coming together to celebrate one theme each week, this week's theme is Valentines #thecreativeloopfebruary #blissfulphotoart #thesincerestoryteller #bloomandgrowtogether #mymagicalmoments #yourvintagesoul #englishstyle #happyvalentinesday #quietthechaos #mymonthofsundays #slowsunday #cottagecore #hyggehome #mymagicalmorning #cosyhome #cosyvibes #darkcottagecore #allthebeautifulthings #softnessandlovely #calmandquiet #creatingboldly #bloomsoftheday #clickproelite #candidchildhood #oneslowsunday #letthemexplore #allkindsofmagic #runwildmychild #ourclickdays #happylifecaptures

44/365 Mismatched jam jars of daffodils on every surface… Spring must be around the corner 🌱This sweet girl is 3 years old tomorrow. I feel a bit weary even thinking about it. She isn’t a sleeper, so I’m still in that foggy postpartum head cloud that usually dissipates after a year or so. Being born at the beginning of the first lockdown and life being busy also means a lot of our family are yet to meet her! The key to making plans as a military family is: Don’t 🙈And next month she will be a big sister, which seems impossible given how young she feels to me. Maybe because I thought she would be my last, so she still feels like the baby? There’s only 20 months to the day between her and Killy… yet somehow she feels younger than he did. So tomorrow, on Valentine’s Day, we will celebrate the weird, wonderful, affectionate, violent, musical, empathetic, fierce, assertive, forever naked whirlwind that is our daughter - and I’m so grateful for the love she brings to our family. The most adoring soul, she’s given me something I didn’t even know was missing.Here she is explaining to Killian in no uncertain terms why he can’t have two jars of flowers in his bedroom. ‘No Ki-yay, I want flowers and they not yours so don’t touch them!’ Never lose your you-ness, my little woman. #motherhoodinspired #ministylekids #ministylemag #slowdowncollective #thesimpleeveryday #zarababygirl #poetryofsimplethings #talesofthemoment #frenchcountrystyle #underthefloralspell #wearethehomemakers #childhoodofnostalgia #bloomandgrow #bloomandgrowtogether #lookslikefilmkids #themagicofchildhood #myfloralvibe #ofsimplethings #floralsforspring #flowersandotherstories #homemakerlife #alliseeispretty #uniteinmotherhood #howwedwell #dearphotographer