tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50288569395823950482024-03-13T03:51:47.215+00:00The Egyptian MummyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-75937201118310520032017-11-10T10:59:00.000+00:002017-11-10T11:02:19.258+00:00Review: Tots Week at Butlins Bognor Regis - part 2 (food, facilities and a small gripe)For part one (getting there and accommodation) you can click <a href="http://theegyptianmummy.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/review-tots-week-at-butlins-bognor.html">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Facilities and activities</b></div>
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After we settled in, I asked Issy what she wanted to do and was met with "SWIMMING!!!!" So we grabbed our cossies which I had packed at the top of our case and headed to the pool, which was exactly the same - but older - than I remembered it as a kid. The changing rooms and pool area itself was clearly a bit tired, but there were signs saying they are about to build a new one, good news for future customers. Issy loved the pool and even braved the big slide with some friends she made on our last day.</div>
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After swimming we decided to visit the outdoor fun fair area as I'd heard there were dodgems (my fave!!) but unfortunately Issy and most the other kids were too short for many of these. How she needed to be over a meter to sit next to me in a dodgem car when she's been on them at every fun fair ever, I'll never know! Thankfully there were smaller indoor rides for the little ones and a soft play which kept us entertained on those rainy days or breaks between shows/activities.</div>
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I signed Issy up for numerous activities including mini-bow (archery) and balance bikes which she loved so much we did three times! There were also drop in sessions for crafts and Playdoh modeling, which were very popular. Show wise we loved Playdoh 3D and Mister Maker, but would have liked the option to chose which timing of Mister Maker we were allocated on arrival.</div>
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We avoided anything with an extra cost except for ice creams both onsite and on the beach, just a minutes walk from the main gates. It's worth mentioning how lovely and clean the beach was, but those seagulls are rife and a fair few kids lost their ice creams to them! Also the pebble dip onto the beach is quite steep so not very accessible with very little ones/pushchairs. The beach provided a very welcome place to escape, splash and chill away from the noise of the big white top at Butlins, which sometimes did get a bit much. There was also a lovely reading corner with beanbags and lots of books where you could just go and escape for a few minutes.</div>
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<b>The food</b><br />
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We opted for the premium dining plan which meant we could have breakfast and dinner every day in The Deck located just outside our hotel. I wasn't sure what to expect as it is buffet, but the first night I was pleasantly surprised with the food being tasty, fresh and nicely presented. There was something for every taste and squash, tea, coffee and hot chocolate was included. Fizzy and alcoholic drinks were extra but reasonably priced.</div>
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After a cracking nights sleep, breakfast was well received and again really nice. Fresh fruit, cheese, made to order omelettes, breakfast toasties, pancakes and a full English on offer meant we could skip lunch and just go for an early dinner. Unfortunately on the second night the rather relaxed vibe from dinner had gone and it seemed like a bit of a free for all with it taking a while for food to be replenished. Due to this we decided to try out the trade in available for premier food guests where you give up dinner at The Deck in return for vouchers to use at any of the other outlets such as Papa Johns, the pub or Brian Turner's restaurant.</div>
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We opted for the pub which was great and we managed to get a three course kids meal & drink, plus decent steak, pudding and a pint for me which only cost £1.50 extra. It was so chilled with a play area outside, not to loud music and comfy seats. We enjoyed it so much that we had our final nights meal there too. The food package looks expensive on paper, but we found it a great way of eating out at times that suited us with no surprise costs at the end of the meal.<br />
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<b>The bad</b><br />
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I've mentioned elsewhere how lovely most of the staff were and Issy really took a shine to a few of them, but unfortunately there's always one. In our case two.<br />
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Many of the redcoats are rather young and with their power did come a bit of rudeness. We found when queuing for character meet and greets they forgot that we were at a break for kids and kids don't always play ball when made to queue for ages. On one occasion we were a few from the back of the queue and I stood where another mum had stood to take a photo of Issy with the characters when I was blocked and ordered to stand elsewhere by a red coat. I moved just as my daughter was ordered out of the way before I could take her photo. When I said this, they told me it was my fault and to just go and buy the professional photo as "it is only £10!" <br />
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I explained I didn't have £10 for a photo and she rolled her eyes at me. The mum who had been behind me said she didn't mind Issy going up again but the red coat refused. Issy cried so we left. Customer service were fantastic and rectified it so we could have the photo, but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth.<br />
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This attitude was noticed by other parents too who noticed children being refused their photo with characters who were "on their way backstage" unless they wanted to go have them done by a professional and pay for the privilege. It may seem like a small thing, but remembering it's a tots break wouldn't have gone amiss.<br />
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<b>The end</b><br />
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All in all we loved our little five day break and Issy was very sad to leave. I was sad to be returning to washing up and a mountain of clothing to be cleaned! We certainly would consider returning again as I think we had fantastic value for money, but would certainly go for one of the hotels again. Special shout out goes to the reception team at The Wave who were just delightful and great with the kids. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-84679358620270546852017-11-10T10:54:00.000+00:002017-11-10T11:00:09.333+00:00Review: Tots Week at Butlins Bognor Regis - part 1 (getting there and accommodation)<div style="color: #454545; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
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If you'd have told me a year ago that I'd go on a holiday a) to Bognor Regis and b) to Butlins I would have laughed. Butlins to me was somewhere we went to with day passes as kids and while I'm sure we had fun, they were never anything I was in much of a hurry to repeat.<br />
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Even when we booked up our week away, you'd see people smirking and I genuinely began to wonder if I'd made a mistake. Everyone spoke about drunk adults, arguments over the buffet and swearing in the swimming pool. However I'm pleased to say.... we loved our little trip!<br />
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We chose one of the Tots Weeks where all the activities are aimed at under 5s meaning that I knew there would be lots to keep Issy entertained. Mister Maker was there during our visit as well as Playdoh 3D and appearances from Tellytubbies and other popular children's characters.<br />
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<b><br />Getting there</b></div>
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We got the train! I don't drive and I always think the train at Issy's age (it was the week before her third birthday) totally adds to the adventure. It was an easy ten minute walk from Bognor Regis train station even with a grumpy three year old and a suitcase and the stroll gave us our first sneaky peak at the beach! The town itself is a few minutes from the resort so if you want to leave the car at home but worry about grabbing any essentials then rest assured it's doable!<br />
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<b>The accommodation</b><br />
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We had decided to go for a hotel and after looking at the 3 available, opted for The Wave as it seemed the most us. Check in was super easy despite us being early and we got a sneaky upgrade as we were there for madam's birthday. Reception staff were FAB and became invaluable for little nuggets of info throughout the week. </div>
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Our room was way better than I expected with lovely bathroom (decent bath - yes!!!), super comfy big bed for me in the main living room area and a separate kids room with bunk beds (cue VERY excited child) and her own little TV! Our room had a little balcony that overlooked a car park and lovely play park across the road, but the noise never disturbed us. Great additions were a little fridge for the water (and *ahem* wine) and snacks we'd bought with us, plus decent quiet air conditioning.<br />
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Housekeeping were such stars throughout the week and made sure doggie (Issy's cuddly toy she is inseparable from) was kept entertained by making towel animals to occupy him and letting us borrow an extra towel for swimming when I accidentally placed ours out for washing.<br />
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On day one however there was lots to see so we dumped our bags, played around with some stuff in the room and headed out into the resort to find our way round!<br />
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For part two of our Butlins trip with information on facilities, food and our only issue with the visit, please click <a href="http://theegyptianmummy.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/review-tots-week-at-butlins-bognor_10.html">here</a>.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-32845459842133419052017-11-06T20:34:00.000+00:002017-11-06T21:37:10.420+00:00Dear Issy - first day at school<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>*I wrote this on Issy's first day at school, but late posting* </i><br />
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Dear Issy, <br />
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Well today you started school. You were so proud putting on your uniform and in an instant you looked so much more grown up to me. You grumbled about me wanting to take your photo outside our house before we walked to school with Grandad, but you did it anyway because you are such a lovely little girl. <br />
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Somehow you managed to look so grown up, yet so small as you held my hand and squeezed it a bit tighter as we walked across the playground towards your classroom. <br />
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I’m so proud of the way you kissed grandad goodbye then gave me my kiss and squeeze before skipping off into class without missing a beat. I didn’t cry, Grandad would never have let me live it down, but know I did feel a little bit sad. I felt sad for you that someone was missing from your first day and didn’t even know that you were starting school as he calls so sporadically. I know you didn't give it a second thought, but looking at the other parents, I did wish things had been different for us. But you have me and I promise even when your a teenager screaming at me for being such an awful mum (I'm actually bloody amazing, but I get you won't get that at the time), that I’m always here for you. <br />
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We’ve been through a lot together kid and while you drive me crackers sometimes, more often than not mid losing my shit, I find myself smiling as I know deep down that I’m just arguing with a mini version of myself. I hope you love school and carry on asking questions, wanting to know more and wondering why things are the way they are. Those are the types of questions that can change the word and change it for the better you already have. <br />
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I loved school really and the fact you have my addiction to reading already makes me prouder than you’ll ever know. I’m sorry I can’t be there at the school gates every afternoon, but Friday is our day and for as long as you want it to be, it always will. I know sometimes you say you’re sad that I go to work, but I do it for us. For our future, not just our now. <br />
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I can’t wait to hear about all the things you will learn and look forward to learning more about phonics! You’re already better at those than me! <br />
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Forever and always my little squishy, <br />
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Mummy x <br />
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ps. I promise to learn how to do plaits and fancy hairstyles at some point, but until then it's crazy hair or ponytails I'm afraid! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-14023473382958053232017-07-08T22:58:00.000+01:002017-11-06T21:39:28.898+00:00Mummy, why won't you give daddy a kiss?Because daddy walked out on us. Because daddy didn't care enough about us to keep trying. Because daddy broke mummy's heart and one day he will most likely break yours. Because the most important thing in daddy's life is daddy.<br /><br />You'll be pleased to know none of that came out of my mouth and brain engaged in time to say "because mummy and daddy aren't friends like that anymore, but of course we still love you." I say that when she asks - which is getting more infrequent - why he isn't with us like her friends daddies but I'm not always sure the love is flowing from his end quite so freely. He laughed when she said I had to do a kiss goodbye. Laughed. Like it is funny that the man I promised to love for the rest of my life now repulsed me so much I don't want to even hear his name let alone blow a kiss down Skype.<br />
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I was strong when he was weak and I kept going. I didn't run away or turn to another man/woman for comfort. I turned to my daughter, my friends and my family. And yes, sometimes I cried myself to sleep because despite never actually being alone when you have a small child, I still felt so alone. He doesn't deserve her affection, her laughs and her smiles. I'm sure that sometimes he feels bad, but not for what happened and how he treated us but bad for himself. He was the victim in all of this. In his head.<br /><br />I always knew one day I'd find myself crying again because of the ex-husband, I just thought I had a bit longer left before it stemmed from something the mini one said. I don't know what the future holds, but that laugh from him, that cruel laugh dissolved any shred of doubt I had that being a girls only house with just the mini one and I is the best thing. <br /><br />She's my ball of everything and he's a figure from the past I have to tolerate, until he gets bored and decides it's all about him again. I know one day what has happened will all be my fault in her eyes as it was in his, but until then I will keep making her smile and doing my best to make her happy. Because that's what we both deserve and she can have all the kisses she wants from me.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">X</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-5302019042197053352017-05-23T11:00:00.000+01:002017-11-06T21:40:36.139+00:00A few of my favourite things: Waterstones Cafe, Southampton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the first of a new series (you can find out my method behind my favourite things <a href="http://theegyptianmummy.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/a-few-of-my-favourite-things.html">here</a>) it isn't anywhere fancy or high-end, but a coffee shop on the ground floor of a bookshop in West Quay shopping centre, Southampton.<br /><br />I've always had a love of bookshops so adding in coffee and cake couldn't really go wrong. What I love about this little cafe is that while it is advertised on the windows for people passing by the first floor as well as being visible from the new and very shiny Watermark eating area, it still remains a place to escape the madness of the shopping centre, surround yourself with books and breathe. <div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; line-height: normal;">
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There is a very obvious seating area right by the cafe area itself as well as seating outdoors (blankets are provided for chilly days) and by the children's books area making it perfect for everything from 15 minutes by yourself, coffee with friends or a sit down while the 4 year old looks at the books and plays on the little climbing area. There's even the most amazing bright red leather sofa at the far end by the windows that you can melt into despite the sofa clearly having seen better days! The cafe area is bright and airy thanks to the floor to ceiling windows and despite people entering into the bookshop a few meters away, you don't feel like you're sat in a walkway.<br /><br />Now the food and drink! Jammie dodger cupcakes, carrot cake, massive cookies the size of your child's head and cappuccino cake are just a few of the sweet treats we've tried. There's even gluten free and vegan offerings usually available.<div style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; line-height: normal;">
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<br />Hummus, sourdough and falafel, or banana and peanut butter toasties (along with lots of other things on toast available) provide welcome and bloody tasty fuel to continue your slog round the shops or in our case just to make it home sometimes. The joy of shopping with a 4 year old.<br /><br />Drinks wise they do a very decent cappuccino plus the usual selection of cold drinks (Diet Coke, fentimens, fruit smoothies for the kids, etc) and a fantastic selection of teas, which they used to offer by the pot or by the mug but only seem to do pots now. Shame as the mugs used to be just the right size! <br /><br />Prices are on par with what you'd pay outside, maybe a little cheaper particularly with the drinks, but the atmosphere is much nicer. Staff always chatty and helpful when stuck on cake selection, as well as understanding when 4 year old knocks over water. For the second time.<br /><br />While I know you'd love it there, a bit of me wants to keep this little coffee shop to myself, but that would be selfish.... just promise to leave me a slice of cake and that sofa free would you? X</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-59646405439474695422017-05-22T21:49:00.000+01:002017-11-06T21:41:13.118+00:00A few of my favourite things<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<br />I've been doing lots of behind the scenes blog work trying to get myself into a proper schedule and setting time aside each week to write. One of the things that helps is having topic headings that I can add to as and when I have something to say so "A few of my favourite things" was born. The title works because if you remove all the swearing, sarcasm and dark humour I'm practically Julie Andrews anyway!<br /><br />A few of my favourite things does just what it says on the tin. It could be a coffee shop, a park, a bar (less likely - what's a night out again?) or anything that takes my fancy. It is less likely to be raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. The only criteria is that unlike all the Costa Coffees and Nando's of the world which I still frequent (and love), these things are a bit different and a bit special.<br /><br />I'm always up for finding new favourites so if you know anywhere, do let me know!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-61271440734138300662017-03-08T17:30:00.000+00:002017-11-06T21:41:47.576+00:00Separation: Staying strong for International Women's Day<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
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When I knew my marriage was over, I started the grieving process. I'd lost something that was a huge part of my life and one day it wasn't there anymore. What was and remains the hardest part to process was that I wasn't just grieving for my marriage and the way all the good memories from the past were now tainted by how horrible the end was, but I was grieving for my family. I was grieving for what my daughter had lost. In one fell swoop she lost the normality of two parents, she lost her dad as a constant in her life and I lost my back up.<br /><br />I'd always wanted to "do things properly" so marriage, kids, buying a house together, holidays arguing in caravans in Cornwall and whose turn it was to do the dishes. That was gone. I couldn't at the time imagine a way it was going to work just the two of us. I cried reading stories when the daddy comes home - Tiger who Came to Tea was particularly hard. My phone drowned in tears thanks to Adele, Coldplay and Spotify's break up list - yep that actually exists! <br /><br />Then last weekend, I found myself sat in our local Bill's with my little girl having a cocktail (lemonade for her!) to celebrate one year of surviving each other. It wasn't sad and I didn't think about what could have been, I celebrated what we had achieved. Sometimes I'm her best friend, sometimes she doesn't like me and she doesn't want to talk to me. Either way I stick around because at the end of the day, she's a bloody great reason to celebrate life, not commiserate. <br /><br />For International Women's Day I pledge to create a positive female role model for my daughter by being a single mum working hard to provide the best she can. This blog hopefully goes some way to showing my daughter that women can be strong, but still show emotions; tired, but still fighting; and thoughtful, but still fun.<br /><br />Happy International Women's Day to all the amazing women, mums, daughters, sisters and aunties just trying their best.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-62274051320714958902017-03-01T20:31:00.001+00:002017-11-06T21:43:36.268+00:00One year on: being a single mum<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
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Today marks a day I've dreaded for the last couple of weeks and as it's got closer and closer, I've wished it would just disappear. Today is the day our three became a two. I still remember getting that text message saying it was over and due to it also being my first day in a new job, having to keep calm and carry on. It hasn't been the easiest year but here's what I have learnt.<br /> <br /><ol>
<li><b>I'm not perfect</b>. This has been a hard one to learn as I want my daughter to have the best, but sometimes I can't do that. I have low days, high days, stressed day, happy days and in between days just like everyone else and while I have to function, I am not a cBeebies presenter that always operates at full speed. </li>
<li><b>Mum guilt</b>. I've really struggled with this one especially while working full time. I'd throw myself into weekends and want to have days of just the two of us, but would forget to have days for me, which would leave me cranky and tired. For the next 12 months I am going to try and claim a bit of me time back and make sure I'm looking out for me too. In order to be a good mum I need to feel able to be a good mum and getting stressed and anxious won't do anything to help that. </li>
<li><b>It's lonely sometimes</b>. Christmas, New Year, birthdays, Friday night.... Wednesday night! Despite number two saying I don't get me time, it's amazing how you can still feel quite lonely. I've got friends and family I can turn to, but we also have to function on our own and sometimes I find myself sat in the living room in the evening and just feeling so alone. There's no one else to help with the tantrums, late night wake ups, mountain of washing or messy dining table. It's just me. If I'm poorly and feeling ill... it's just me. Learning to deal with the silence has been quite a learning curve. </li>
<li><b>I'm stronger than I knew</b>. There's been some serious ups and downs but we've come out the other end the right way up. The bills get paid, the lunch boxes get made and clothes get washed. What more can you ask for? </li>
<li><b>Laughing and hugs solve everything</b>. Sure my kid may have just screamed down debenhams because she wasn't allowed a £20 Easter egg and I've turned a funny shade of horrified, but she's said sorry and given me a hug. Add a few laughs in and all is forgotten. </li>
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<br />Being a single mum isn't what I signed up for, but it's what I've got. So time to look at the positives - more hugs, only one person to argue with not two and the chance to give my little girl a really positive female role model who works, cooks, cleans, plays, laughs, cries and most importantly is the best mum she can be*<br /><br />*warning hangry is really a thing. She will learn arguing with mum when mum is hungry = no win!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-36292798714479685282016-12-09T22:57:00.001+00:002017-11-06T21:45:04.629+00:00Full time mum, full time job, full time grown up, part-time me<div style="color: rgb(69 , 69 , 69); font-family: ".sf ui text"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
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<br /><br />Sometimes I really struggle with feeling as though not only do I have to do everything, but I have to do it well. If I'm bad at my job, I could lose it. If I'm bad at being a grown up and staying on top of bills, we would get angry knocks on the door. If I'm a bad mum, well so much could go wrong there. I spend so much time worried about doing badly in my full time existences that I forget about me.<br /><br />My roots start showing, I stop sleeping, forget to eat fruit and veg, never finish that book that's been by the side of my bed for months and continuously get half way through a movie before getting restless and never finding out how it ends. Me time is half an hour once the mini one is in bed, I've washed up, folded clothes, made lunch for the next day and picked up all the toys off the floor. I collapse in a head on the sofa, flick through the tv to find there's nothing I want to watch before bailing and stumbling into bed.<br /><br />But I think some of what holds me back from going to get my nails done (apart from money!) or having a coffee on my own is the dreaded mum guilt:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I don't see her enough..."<br /><br />"I don't play with her enough...."<br /><br />"I don't sit down and teach her things in the evenings like numbers..."<br /><br />"I hurry bedtimes sometimes because I'm just so tired..."</blockquote>
<br />If she's poorly we go to the doctors and I try to make her feel better, if I'm poorly I plod on until I end up really ill when just giving myself a day at home resting probably would have stopped it getting so bad.<br /><br />The end of a year always makes me a bit philosophical and for 2017 I want to tell myself more that I AM ENOUGH. I may not be this great superwoman of a mother with perfect hair, patience and endless energy for Pinteresting my entire perfect life, but I am doing what I can with what I've got and with who I love. <br /><br />I'll always have that mum guilt in the back of my head, but for now I am going to cuddle my grumpy three year old who has just crawled into my bed and look forward to whatever adventures lie ahead. And for me, right now, that is enough.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-11317170956723791742016-10-10T21:46:00.000+01:002017-11-06T21:52:32.870+00:00World Mental Health Day: PND and Me<span id="goog_1852255662"></span><span id="goog_1852255663"></span><br />
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I debated whether or not to post this because despite my work for an NHS Trust that specialises in Mental Health and my usual openness about my experience after having the mini one, there is still such a stigma surrounding postnatal depression.<br />
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If you've ever read my birth story, you will know the mini one arrived on this planet through quite a traumatic way. The emergency caesarean was certainly not the way I had planned for things to go and as I shook on the operating theatre with adrenaline while the anaesthetist tried to get an epidural in hearing "failure" and "not working" linked to the way my body was performing got things off to a bad start.<br />
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I was beyond happy when I found out my little girl was healthy and love her with all my heart, thankfully that was something I never lost even in my darkest days... but I felt a failure from very early on. From a difficult pregnant to traumatic birth to the first couple of days I just couldn't do anything right. I struggled with getting her to latch on, she cried a lot, I cried a lot! I remember crying to the nurse who came to check on me in the middle of the night that I was rubbish... she told me to keep trying and left me sobbing in the dark.<br />
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When we got home things got worse. I'd expected to be this glowing new mother who - as I'd always been quite a strong person - somehow managed to make dinner, clean the house, look after baby and catch up on books while she fed. How wrong I was! I stayed in my pyjamas for a week and despite a couple of visitors had never felt so alone. Everyone told me how gorgeous she was and how happy I must be, so I smiled and said thanks and did the usual muttering about lack of sleep (I was on about 3 hours of broken sleep a day) and so on.<br />
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I ate a pack of Oreos and drank water everyday, but when the water next to the armchair I said on in our bedroom ran out I didn't move until the now ex-husband came home and help the mini one while I restocked then sat back down again. She cried when I put her down so I never put her down. I bought a sling but was so terrified it would hurt her never used it until she was about 6 months old. I was a total failure in my eyes. I'd made a huge mistake thinking I could do this and as gorgeous as I found her and as much as I loved her I didn't think I was enough.<br />
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It all came to a head when my mum came to visit when the mini one was about 3 weeks old. I cried on her that night and she told me to go to bed and sleep when the mini one was asleep... she couldn't understand why I couldn't. My head wouldn't let me. I wasn't just failing my daughter, I was failing myself too. Mum forced me to get dressed and for the first time since I'd left hospital I went outdoors. I wanted to be proud as I saw people look and remark at how beautiful my daughter was but I felt like a flabby, useless lump that just wanted to put her pyjamas back on and cry.<br />
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There was no postnatal check in Oman, no one asked if I was ok... it was all "how are the scars doing?" I knew I couldn't continue with what I was doing when a paediatrician told me I was starving my daughter because she had a low birth weight. Not only was I failing at meeting her emotional needs I now couldn't even feed her properly.<br />
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We decided I would come back to England with the mini one and within a week of being back I met an amazing health visitor who listened and suggested support. She sent me to my GP and booked me onto the next new mums group running locally so I could deal with the isolation/fear factor by meeting new mums. I got help and it is much better now. Still there are dark days when I just feel a failure again, but I remind myself what a strong unit my daughter and I. How we have been through so much and each time somehow come out the other end.<br />
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She has become my everything, my reason for waking up and jumping out of bed when I want to lie in, the reason I'm considering buying wellies so we can both jump in puddles and the most important thing of all. She made me a mummy.<br />
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My advice to anyone suffering postnatal depression or finding themselves struggling and putting on a different face when venturing outside? Talk to someone. Whether it is your GP, a friend, health visitor, neighbour, lady you always see in Costa and chat to! Just make yourself heard and know that with the right help it will all be ok. XAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-31893001562961582302016-10-09T22:49:00.001+01:002017-11-06T21:47:52.504+00:00Jumping around Gambados<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now as much as I love playing in the park with the mini one, throwing autumnal leaves around and going to feed the ducks... the good old British weather tries the most hardy of waterproofs and occasionally you just need to surrender and head indoors. The mini one has never been great at staying home for too long, despite lots of things to do so it became essential early on to have good back up plans.<br /><br />The first we signed up for was a localish soft play centre in Eastleigh called Gambados, which opened in 2007. Unlike a lot of other play areas we've visited, the mini one never gets bored here as there's lots of age appropriate stuff for her to do.<br /><br />There's two main play areas: the first caters for under 4's and features it's own slide, sensory area and ball pool, plus a small toddler area which is very padded so great for little ones learning to walk. The second is for the older kids but the mini one has been climbing up it's 3 floors since she was about 2.5 and squealing with joy down the big wavy slide! There's also a teacup ride (unlimited rides are included in your admission) and a climbing wall.<div>
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There's lots of seating for adults and a handy little cafe that does limited hot food (nachos are yum), sandwiches, cakes and kids meal boxes. It can be very busy and we have left early before when we've failed to find anywhere to sit or just felt it getting too cramped, but early Saturday morning and weekdays (term time) are all pretty safe bets. They do offer parties so you can sometimes notice the place get busy then suddenly quieter again as whole groups go. There's a dedicated seating area for parents involved in the parties.<br /><br />It can get pretty pricey if you have a couple of kids, but as season pass holders now, I pay less than £10 a month for unlimited entry for the mini one plus two adults plus we get discount in the cafe and off parties.<br /><br />It's also really secure. You check in and check out so the kids can't leave without you, however I have noticed this be a bit slack lately with staff just buzzing people out without checking cards/child/adult etc. People can't get in without being with a child which makes it feel safer.<br /><br />Negatives - the noise. This is not a place for anyone with a sore head and feeling a tad fragile! But time it right when a friend is also their with their kids and you can sit back, eat cake and catch up while the kids are happy.<br /><br />If you want to find out more about Gambados, please visit www.gambado.com<br /><br />Disclaimer: I received no payment or incentive for this post, we are annual pass holders but pay ourselves. This soft play is now known as Partyman World as of summer 2017.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-91090517730193950822016-08-28T13:22:00.001+01:002017-11-06T21:48:40.564+00:00Girls can do it too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I've always believed that anything boys can do, so can girls. I don't really get the whole gender stereotype thing. Sure the mini one might wear a tutu or a pretty dress, but if there's a puddle or opportunity to get muddy and wet she's the first one in there. She has gruffalo tops that were "meant for boys" and a cowboy hoodie from Cath Kidston for boys.<br /><br />She watches Fireman Sam and Paw Patrol then tells me she's a princess and a doctor and wants to watch Frozen. If she's happy and she is learning and loving lots of different things then that's good enough for me.<br /><br />So you can only imagine how happy a conversation I overheard her having last weekend made me....<br /><br />We were visiting one of our local soft play areas (review to follow) and the mini one was playing with some kids who wanted to climb up the slide - because down is so 2015. There were two boys who started joining in and was bashing the smaller kids around a little bit. The mini one looked at me and grumbled when one pushed her but I just said "ignore them" and she went back to the game.<br /><br />These boys kept getting pushy and kids kept leaving and soon the mini one was the only girl left. The boys turned round to her and said, "This (climbing a slide) isn't for girls so you can't do it." She looked crestfallen! Then you almost saw the "pull yourself together" moment go across her face as she turned round, stared them dead in the eye and shouted, "girls can do it too!" Before barging past them and doing a great attempt to get up the slide. <br /><br />Sure she didn't make it to the top, but she kept trying until it was time to leave. I'm always proud of my little girl especially now she seems to have taken on my attitude of girls can do it too.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-69918758840851018052016-08-24T21:55:00.001+01:002017-11-06T21:50:18.974+00:00And then there were two...<div>
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I will always remember the day I knew my marriage was truly over. Sure I still loved him and wanted more than anything to say I forgave him and of course we could try again, but I just couldn't. The words refused to come out. Those who know me know I'm not one to mince my words. If I want to say something I often do, but this time my usual self escaped me and all I could do was shake my head, say I'm sorry and walk away from the man some four years previously I'd stood with in front of our friends and family and promised to love and cherish forever. <br /><br />The pain was so just intense and so raw there was nothing that could be done to take it back. You see that man had walked out on me. Not once, but twice. He packed his bags and left. Not just the house but the country... Twice. But I don't hate him, I hate the circumstances that lead to our ultimate end. He was the man who gave me our beautiful amazing intelligent little girl but he was also the man who made me break down in front of my daughter midway through reading Stickman to her at bedtime because I couldn't go on anymore.<br /><br />Our marriage became toxic but it wasn't always that way. He Egyptian, me British, we met while working in the Middle East. We started as friends and when I went through one of the toughest times of my life out there, he saved me. He pulled me back from the brink and loved me, which is what I needed. Three years later we married and 7 months after that I got sick. A trip to the doctors showed I was pregnant. It was a difficult pregnancy and traumatic birth but the end result was perfection.<br /><br />After struggling to find a way we could live out there and be good parents we decided the time had come to return to the uk. When she was 3 months old my daughter and I moved to the uk and the clock began. We'd agreed to give me a few months maternity leave before starting to find work. But I struggled to find something close to my parents that paid enough for me to meet the financial requirements of the spouse visa. I found something, but then the English language requirement came into play. My husband struggled to pass the listening segment of the test and despite taking classes it took a year and a half for him to get the required grade. We hadn't seen each other this whole time as all our money went on the visa and tests.<br /><br />In September last year, he arrived. Day 1 was amazing. Day 2 however the cracks began to show. He didn't get that if our daughter woke up so did we, if she was hungry we got food, if she gets bored there's drama, if you say no... She screamed. He had arrived in time for the terrible twos. He still thought he was living the single life which I voiced my frustrations at but he threw it back that I cared more for our daughter than him. We argued a lot and one day when he was so withdrawn he watched our daughter knock over cups of coffee in Costa not once but twice. I lost my rag. I told him he was her father and I (who had been in the toilet) couldn't watch her all the time. She went to do something naughty a third time and he grabbed her. It scared the hell out of her. I pulled him off her and shouted he was to never do it again. He walked out the coffee shop.<br /><br />The next day was my birthday and there was nothing. No card, no present, no look I've made dinner or shall we order something nice in... Just sat in silence watching tv. I cried myself to sleep that night.<br /><br />I won't say too much about the leavings, the returns and the eventual goodbye, but they all hurt. I broke down, I picked myself up, I broke down again and when I picked myself up the second time knew this was it I couldn't continue the cycle anymore and enough was enough.<br /><br />Things aren't always easy as a family of two and as she grows up I know we will face different challenges, but I love my daughter so much. Whether she's smearing yellow paint round the living room, leaving the freezer open, waking me up all night or smiling at me from across the park and saying she loves me... She's worth all the hard work.<br /><br />This blog was set up to chronicle my life as a mum and wife, now it will stay as my journey of motherhood and the things I love. The highs, the lows, the happiness and the tears. I hope you will continue to follow.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-76448853887388835652015-01-03T22:44:00.001+00:002015-01-05T18:30:45.473+00:00Reading Challenge 2015: The BooksAs mentioned in an earlier post, I intend on reading more in 2015 and while looking at my bookshelf noticed these 12 were sat there begging to be read. As you can tell there is certainly a type of book that I gravitate towards! Have you read any of my chosen 12?<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gp8VWt1atdA/VKhw5gvU6jI/AAAAAAAABGo/XH1ioVa_JOM/s640/blogger-image-1520186136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gp8VWt1atdA/VKhw5gvU6jI/AAAAAAAABGo/XH1ioVa_JOM/s640/blogger-image-1520186136.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Harlan Coben - Long Lost</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">M.R.Hall - The Redeemed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">John Grisham - Sycamore Row</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Khaled Hosseini - And the Mountains Echoed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TYImifx2i5k/VKhw3Nzf6bI/AAAAAAAABGY/lRjQNag_GE8/s640/blogger-image--187931906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TYImifx2i5k/VKhw3Nzf6bI/AAAAAAAABGY/lRjQNag_GE8/s640/blogger-image--187931906.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Monique Roffey - The White Woman on the Green Bicycle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Eric Lomax - The Railway Man</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nele Neutaus - Snow White Must Die</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Marina Nemat - Prisoner of Tehran</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fN0ZUvDXYk0/VKhw4VbWwtI/AAAAAAAABGg/Nv6tKh9veJk/s640/blogger-image-809968496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fN0ZUvDXYk0/VKhw4VbWwtI/AAAAAAAABGg/Nv6tKh9veJk/s640/blogger-image-809968496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Judith Tebbutt - A Long Walk Home</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Terry Hayes - I Am Pilgrim</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Patricia Cornwell - Dust</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Asne Seierstad - A Hundred and One Days</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Currently I am on M.R.Hall's The Redeemed, an author I have read and enjoyed before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Egyptian Mummy</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-186404468290269942015-01-03T22:04:00.001+00:002015-01-03T22:04:18.982+00:00New Year, New ChallengesHello!<div><br></div><div>Sorry about that little disappearing act. 2014 was a bit of a crazy year. I moved into a new house, started a new job, said goodbye to all the new mum friends I had made and met some new ones in my new area. Lots of news but one big stay same was that 2014 was the first full year we spent without my husband. His visa is currently under consideration so praying for some good news soon. Anyway... The positives... 2015 is the year I get back into blogging and my god I have missed it! </div><div><br></div><div>I decided against New Year resolutions and instead decided to set myself challenges. </div><div><br></div><div>1 - get back into reading. I love books but after becoming a mum and returning to work have really struggled to finish a book so to conquer that I am setting myself the 12 books of 2015 challenge to finish 12 books that I have bought, put on my shelf and not read.</div><div><br></div><div>2 - learn something new. My Arabic is pretty non-descript so I'm thinking this could be a good challenge as I would love to be able to read a children's book in Arabic to the mini one, otherwise I am open to suggestions!</div><div><br></div><div>3 - photography. I love photos and my house is full of them as is my phone, iPad, laptop... Etc. this is wrong. They should be in albums and on display. This year I want to photograph more and get a bit more creative.</div><div><br></div><div>What do you think of my challenges for this year? What have you got planned?</div><div><br></div><div>The Egyptian Mummy</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-47042215019993985292014-04-22T06:00:00.000+01:002014-04-22T06:00:09.082+01:00Back to work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So after 351 days of maternity leave, the time has come to go back to work or in my case start a new job. Two weeks into my 50 day maternity leave in Oman (yep 50 whole days...) I realised that I couldn't return to my then job. The hours combined with the stress I felt while pregnant there made me realise that returning as a new mum so soon after what was quite a traumatic birth just wasn't going to work. I wanted time to be a mother and find out what makes my little girl laugh, smile, cry and stare. I wanted to be there for her first solids and breastfeed as long as I could - for those interested we are still doing a morning and night feed - while taking her to parent and child groups and singing silly songs in the park. I have made some lovely mummy friends and and the Mini Grumpy Egyptian has made some friends of her own, but now the playdates and morning coffee sessions are no more as instead I will be at work.<br />
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My new job has me doing something that I think is going to prove really interesting and I am looking forward to having to engage my brain a little more than I have in previous months. Am I nervous however about the new office environment? Not really... instead I am thinking or perhaps hoping is a more suitable word, that the Mini Grumpy Egyptian is going to be ok. I know I can't be there forever, but I would have selfishly liked a little more time. She has a fantastic childminder and my dad is going to be looking after her for this first week to help her settle, so I really hope things go to plan.<br />
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Working will mean I get that much talked about and highly controversial "me-time". It will mean that we can - if the current government doesn't change any more regulations - get the spouse visa for the Grumpy Egyptian and get him here with us. It will mean I can wear necklaces and earrings again without someone trying to pull them out!<br />
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It feels a little sad, I won't lie. Like the end of an era almost. The Mini Grumpy Egyptian has been such a big part of my everyday for what feels like so long now, but I will still be there for dinner and bedtime and be waking her in the morning for a little feed before I dash out. I will miss her and I will worry that she is ok or that she is crying, but this is for our future and I hope this will make me a better mummy.<br />
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Wish me luck and see you soon...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-655695786002348782014-04-17T07:30:00.000+01:002014-04-17T07:08:28.246+01:00Combined weaningI have had the title of this post in my draft folder since November, but inspired by something I overheard today, decided to finish it. We decided to begin weaning the Mini Grumpy Egyptian when she was five and a half months old as she was showing an interest in food and seemed hungry. It was quite hard working out whether she was interested in food or <i>interested</i> in food in that it was new and she found it interesting rather than wanting to eat it. Her first meal was some puréed sweet potato and boy did she inhale it!<br />
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We chose to go for a mixture of baby led and traditional weaning so would feed with a spoon, but offer soft foods for her to try and eat by herself. We did this because it was the way the Grumpy Egyptian and I were both weaned and we don't have any trouble eating, just the opposite in fact! I know some mum's think that spoon feeding is the same as force feeding, but I've never spooned food into the Mini Grumpy Egyptian's mouth if she's crying or forced her to eat something she doesn't want. By choosing a selection of age/teeth appropriate finger foods at each meal as well as something warm for dinner or a yoghurt at breakfast, she is trying a whole host of flavours.<br />
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We started off with two small meals a day - breakfast and dinner - with breastfeeding as needed and her top up bottle of formula mid-afternoon. We tried some pouches, which she was keen on to start, but very soon got bored of singular/plain flavours and would spit it out. We moved into more advanced flavours and I found curry paste pots for children (found in the baby food aisle) were fantastic. I could remove some of the meat and vegetables that I was making our curry with and in a separate pan mix it with the curry paste, some tomatoes and yoghurt and we have enough to freeze for five meals. I also used pouches to make a quick meal with pasta if we were eating something that was inappropriate (too spicy, etc) for her to have.</div>
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Around six and a half months in and we introduced a small lunch as well before increasing portion sizes. I was worried that the mini one would overeat, but we found that she quickly found what was a comfortable amount for her to eat and would refuse anymore when full. Five months on and we are yet to find anything this little girl won't eat! She appears to have her mother's sweet tooth but will happily tuck into trees (broccoli), watermelon, pepper slices and is rather partial to a little cauliflower cheese. I give her lots of finger foods at every meal, but am still spoon feeding her yoghurt/wet foods because I'm not sure she's ready to spoon feed herself. When cooking I add no salt to our food and use the Heinz stock cubes that I get from the baby food aisle so if it's suitable for the mini one then she can have some of what we're eating. She likes Moroccan meatball Tagine, tomato pasta, homemade sweet and normal potato wedges as well as gnawing on a bit of steak when it's around.</div>
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She doesn't eat pork for religious reasons, but that hasn't seemed a problem so far. When out and about she likes egg and cress or peanut butter sandwiches. Cheese always makes an appearance at lunchtime and I have a container of rice crackers, breadsticks and mini kids flapjacks that never leave the nappy changing bag.</div>
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I do worry she doesn't get enough variety, but reading above makes me realise perhaps she does! A frantic Google search one day led me to Kayla and her gorgeous blog<a href="http://mylovelylittlelunchbox.com/"> My Lovely Little Lunchbox</a> (I'm so jealous, I won't lie) where she writes about the delicious food she makes her little one so I've managed to get some great tips from there. When did you start giving your little ones their own spoon/cutlery? It is her birthday next month so I am pinning away on Pinterest for a couple of cheap but cheerful birthday food ideas.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-88739345013923884452014-03-24T08:06:00.000+00:002014-03-24T08:10:32.811+00:00Review: Tesco Finest cheeseA couple of months ago I heard about The Orchard at Tesco, a programme that allows you to sign up for certain projects and write about them in return for free money off vouchers for you and your family/friends. The first one that I was invited to participate in was a Tesco Finest meats activity that I didn't blog about, but you may have seen me mention on Twitter or Facebook. The most recent was for Tesco Finest Cheese and given my love of cheese, I just had to sign up for it.<br />
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My welcome pack contained lots of money off vouchers so our next task was choosing which cheeses to buy. Luckily our local Tesco in Winchester has a good range to choose from and I decided to buy my two favourite cheeses - feta and buffalo mozzarella - and compare how they are against my usual brand. The first thing that struck me was the detail that had gone into the packaging complete with details about the cheese's origin.</div>
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The buffalo mozzarella was meant to be used to posh up a tomato and chilli pasta bake, but I ended up eating most of it out the packet! It melted so beautifully in the mouth and had this mellow milky consistency that for people who've only had its rubbery counterpart could prove a bit strange. I enjoyed some of this mozzarella torn up along with finely chopped tomatoes and some oregano that I stirred through some couscous for a great packed lunch friendly treat.</div>
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The remaining vouchers were given to my mum who chose the Stilton and apricot log that I understand she inhaled :)</div>
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I think for the quality of the cheeses they were fairly priced as you would probably pay more in a posh deli, but it would be nice to see the range increase further.</div>
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What do you think of these types of programmes? What cheeses would you have chosen to try?</div>
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*Disclaimer: I was given money off vouchers as part of The Orchard at Tesco in order to purchase the items mentioned here, but was not required to write a positive review and all words are my own</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-40076290443049032302014-03-23T07:27:00.001+00:002014-03-23T07:42:46.537+00:00Silent Sunday - 23/3/2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-7182493779365258202014-03-16T06:00:00.000+00:002014-03-16T06:00:00.592+00:00Mother's Day gift ideasThis year will mark my first Mother's Day as a mummy and I am really looking forward to spending the day with the Mini Grumpy Egyptian. While March 30 is about so much more than gifts, I think all mum's will admit it is rather nice to open something gorgeous on the day so I searched the internet and picked my top eight gifts for Mother's Day.<br />
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1. Handmade two peas in a pod necklace by Muriel & Lily. <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/murielandlily/product/two-peas-in-a-pod">Notonthehighstreet.com</a> £125<br />
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2. Spineless Classics Pride and Prejudice print. <a href="http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/home-accessories/spineless-classics-pride-and-prejudice-print/10908230.html">IWOOT.com</a>. £33.99</div>
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3. Chocolate letter with smarties by The LetterRoom. <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/theletteroom/product/chocolate-letter-with-smarties">Notonthehighstreet.com</a> £9.95</div>
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4. When life hands mum lemons print by Wink Design. <a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/winkdesign/product/when-life-hands-mum-lemons-mothers-day-print">Notonthehighstreet.com</a> £16.50</div>
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5. Six month membership to The Cake Club by <a href="http://cakenest.co.uk/product/6-month-cake-slice-club/#reviews">The Cake Nest</a> £39.99</div>
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6. Tassie bag by <a href="http://www.whitestuff.com/tassie-bag-prod408399_tan/">White Stuff</a> £65</div>
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7. Michael Kors watch at <a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/michael-kors-mk5837-women's-wren-stainless-steel-chronograph-watch-salmon-silver/p1117093">John Lewis</a> £209</div>
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8. Mandarin and Tangelo scented candle by <a href="http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/fragrance/scented-candles/mandarin-tangelo-scented-candle.aspx">The Body Shop</a> £10</div>
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Now I don't know about you, but I would be so happy to receive any of those on Mother's Day. How will you be celebrating Mother's Day? Any exciting plans?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-37853615177592662682014-03-05T22:51:00.001+00:002014-03-05T22:51:40.623+00:00World Book Day: Touch and Feel books<div>
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Happy World Book Day!</div>
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Since we had the Mini Grumpy Egyptian, I have found there is less and less time for me to sit down with a good book and relax. It seems as though I'm constantly cleaning, feeding, changing or trying to entertain her. I believe it is really important to instil a love of reading in little ones from a young age and in order to make me feel as though I am still reading, have read to the mini one since she was born. In her play area there is a small tub of board books that she is able to access herself and a book is part of our bedtime routine. While classics like The Hungry Caterpillar and Inch Wincy Spider puppet books are regulars, the Mini Grumpy Egyptian's favourite stories are without doubt the touch and feel books.<br />
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Charity shops and second-hand sales have been great at picking up copies of the fantastic "That's not my..." series and our favourites are the monkey, dinosaur and Princess books. They are great for a curious ten month old baby as they are short enough to keep her interested and with lots of different textures to feel.<br />
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I have noticed though that there are a lot of bad touch and feel books out there that feel as though the author just threw a couple of random textures down without paying much thought as to whether they have anything to do with the story or feel interesting enough to touch. When they are charging £5+ for a book, they need to be much better than this. My least favourite are the touch and feel books that don't have a story and just follow a general theme such as animals.</div>
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Our favourite book however is one the Mini Grumpy Egyptian got for Christmas and that is the my First Gruffalo - Touch and feel. It is brilliant and comes complete with stick wart, felt spikes, furry stomach and gritty teeth. We can read this a couple of times a night and the mini one is as happy reading it the third time as she was the first. If you were looking to introduce a touch and feel book to your little one, I would suggest this is a great start. The book itself feels solid, durable and fantastic quality. Despite a number of tugs on the felt spikes, they show no signs of coming loose.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjFjB5tjXpA/UxepqI2A_8I/AAAAAAAAA10/_94r02FUj3M/s1600/19121197_700x700min_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjFjB5tjXpA/UxepqI2A_8I/AAAAAAAAA10/_94r02FUj3M/s1600/19121197_700x700min_3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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The next book we plan to add too up collection is the Peter Rabbit touch and feel. Can you suggest anymore? What books did you read with your ten month old? Did you allow them to free play with the books at this age or wait until they are older.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-40031917243867531532014-03-02T17:06:00.001+00:002014-03-02T17:06:22.976+00:00Milestones: Crawling, standing and pointing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In a couple of days the Mini Grumpy Egyptian turns ten months old and the past couple of weeks have really given us a sign of things to come! It started off a month ago when she took two small crawl movements - having never attempted it before - before racing across the living room. It was amazing! I tried to get her to do it again so I could film it but she seemed to go camera shy. Speed forward a couple of weeks and she doesn't want to sit still for a second. The stair gates are all up now, but I didn't realise how dangerous a house could be for a baby! There's radiator knobs, sharp corners, glass tv stands, doors they want to swing and drawers they want to open! I think she's been planning on going for all these things for months. I'm trying to make things as safe as possible, but I'm starting to realise there's only so much you can do.<br />
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As if crawling wasn't enough, the Mini Grumpy Egyptian has also decided that standing is the funniest thing ever! I was in the bedroom with her last week when she crawled over, grabbed my legs and pulled herself up! I actually screamed. Now she clings onto the safety gate in the bedroom doing her best baby convict impression, climbs up to her toy box and smiles with glee when she holds onto her walker. I just can't believe how quickly she has mastered these things and I must admit to being a very proud mama.</div>
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And then... Last week we were at Rhyme Time doing Wind The Bobbin Up - one of my least favourite rhymes - when the Mini Grumpy Egyptian started copying the pointing action in the song! She has even looked sternly at me and wagged her finger a couple of times. I wonder who she gets that from *ahem*</div>
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I can't even imagine what she has next in store for us!<br />
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As these were some big milestones, I am teaming up with the following linkys:<br />
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Magic Moments over at The Oliver's Madhouse</div>
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and Small Steps, Amazing Achievements at Ethan's Escapades</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-78580149004253399742014-02-23T21:11:00.001+00:002014-03-03T21:12:10.596+00:00Review: Ummah Foods halal chocolateEveryone that knows me knows how much I love chocolate, yet despite my husband being Muslim and the amount of time I spent in a Muslim country, the concept of halal chocolate was something I had never really heard of. So when Ummah Foods offered to send me a couple of bars of its halal chocolate to try out, I jumped at the chance.<br />
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The chocolate is packaged simply, but colourfully. We were sent two bars of the milk chocolate with peanuts and looking at the bar itself, you could see it was well packed with nuts. The chocolate is halal because no alcohol or animal products were used in the product itself, the making of it and its packaging. It is this that also makes it suitable for vegetarians. But how much, if at all, did this affect the overall taste of the chocolate? Well I found the taste very smooth and surprisingly - but not in an unpleasant way - a little more bitter than usual milk chocolate. The pieces of peanut were large and added a tasty bite to the chocolate itself.<br />
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I think it is great to see more halal products coming onto the market in the UK and would certainly look at buying this product again, especially for friends or family during Ramadan or Eid. The chocolate is also available in milk chocolate with raisins, mik chocolate with raisins and peanuts, milk chocolate and 60 % dark chocolate. Availability is limited at this time, but you can visit the site <a href="http://www.ummahfoods.com/stores.htm">here</a> to see if there is a store near you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I was sent this chocolate in order to write a fair review and was not required to write a positive one. All words and opinions are my own.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-76073037619538073302014-02-16T20:52:00.000+00:002014-02-16T20:52:39.389+00:00Sick baby, job interview and new things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been utterly rubbish at blogging for the past two weeks as things have felt so hectic at home. I had a job interview that I thought went really well, but I didn't get the job... despite having got myself a fancy new dress for the occasion! I've been applying like crazy for jobs because we want to get The Grumpy Egyptian his visa and get him over here soon. Things seem a little sparse on the ground, but fingers crossed something will pop up soon. Despite the disappointment of not getting the job, it did mark the first time that I had left the Mini Grumpy Egyptian with someone else... ever. She is nine months old now and I don't think I have left her with anyone for more than five minutes or the time it takes to run into the doctor's surgery and run back out again. I left her with my Dad and thankfully she seemed ok. Made me feel better about doing so in the future, but I must admit that I am not looking forward to actually going back to work and having to leave her for such a long amount of time. Will deal with it when I have to deal with it I guess.<br />
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Secondly, the Mini Grumpy Egyptian hosted a lovely playdate for her mini friends last Tuesday morning, but by mid-afternoon she was not looking well. Dinner revisited us while a couple of dodgy nappies - the kind you pray you will never see again - had me reaching for the clothes pegs. Having not improved by Thursday we visited the GP who told us it was a bug and sent us away. By Friday night she was even worse and on Saturday we rang the out of hours GP. Given that she was not herself, not keeping hardly anything down and rather grouchy they decided to send us across the corridor to the children's ward. Having visited there before for a test that wasn't offered in Oman, I must say that they are lovely. They worked out that she was a bit dehydrated, but luckily just needed some rehydration medication delivered slowly (10ml every 10 minutes over 2 hours much to the mini one's irritation as she wanted to nap!). We were there for a couple of hours and 24 hours later, the Mini Grumpy Egyptian is much better thank god.<br />
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Finally I have lots of review posts that I need to write up including some lovely aromatherapy products from a local company, halal chocolate and Sudocrem so look forward to those.<br />
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How has everyone else been? Fellow bloggers, how do you cope when real life just gets too much and blogging seems to be a bit of a struggle? Is it ok to have a little mini break?<br />
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The Egyptian MummyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04811294496830770373noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5028856939582395048.post-58669784319148713792014-02-02T22:13:00.002+00:002014-02-02T22:15:10.322+00:00The unnecessary shame of using formula<div>
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Any mum who has ever formula fed will know exactly what THAT look is. They will know what it is like to sit in a mum's group amd be asked "but why aren't you breastfeeding?" Or "don't you want to do the best for your child?" Then there is the damn right obnoxious rolling of eyes and looks of judgement others prefer. Formula feeding your child does not make you a bad parent. Leaving your child to go hungry so you can take the moral high ground or driving yourself insane after weeks of not being able to breastfeed efficiently makes you a bad parent.<br />
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When I was pregnant I knew that I wanted to breastfeed. I read articles online and bought all the pads and creams in preparation, but what I wasn't ready for was a baby that just didn't want to latch. After the emergency caesarean that shot the Mini Grumpy Egyptian into our lives, I was in shock not just from the surgery but the realisation that I was now a mother. After being wheeled into my hospital room, a scrunched up ball of baby was thrust into my arms, my gown pulled down and her face shoved in the direction of my boob. There was no magic moment of her searching for my boob or latching on immediately, in fact I remember having to literally stick it in her face! </div>
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We did manage to breastfeed, but the bad latch continued and after 2 weeks she had struggled to gain back her birth weight. I started pumping so I could supplement her with a bottle of my milk rather than turning to formula. Things didn't get easier but she began putting weight on. I remember crying down the phone to my mum one day in agony and sheer disappointment that breastfeeding wasn't turning out to be that amazing experience I had read about. When we got to the UK, I asked my health visitor about the Mini Grumpy Egyptian's slow weight gain and voiced concerns that I was feeling the stress of cluster feeding. I was told she was gaining at a steady rate and didn't need to have formula.</div>
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I was never asked whether I NEEDED - for my own sanity - to give her formula. I couldn't bring myself to say that I thought I needed to introduce formula once or twice a day so that I could relax for just a moment and allow someone else to deal with a feed. There was this shame in the back of my mind that if I said that then I wasn't being a good mum. After all we are meant to sacrifice ourselves for our children, but what about a little me time? Is that being selfish or by doing so would I be a better more relaxed mum?</div>
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When the Mini Grumpy Egyptian was five and a half months old, I gave in. I went to Boots and bought some formula. She drank it so fast and her weight began to follow a proper pattern! I started on 120ml a day and increased to around 180ml a day with breastfeeds when required. I'm more relaxed as it means someone else can feed her while I pop the washing in or eat my lunch. She seems fuller and now that she is on 3 meals a day, her sleeping patterns have got less erratic. </div>
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I have friends who wanted to breastfeed, but weren't able to despite their best efforts as well as friends who chose not to breastfeed for personal reasons. And I tell you what.... They are bloody good parents. This post isn't meant to mock those that solely breastfeed - congratulations by the way - but I'm sorry to say I don't believe it makes you a better parent than someone who doesn't. Breast is as we all know best, but it doesn't give you the right to judge those who don't or indeed can't. So take a moment next time you are about to say something about a mum who is formula feeding and think about how you might be about to make them feel.</div>
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