Saturday 22 December 2012

Merry Christmas 2012!

Merry Christmas to you all from us!! We hope your Christmas 2012 is fantastic and that 2013 brings you all you wish for! Thank you for reading :)



Wednesday 19 December 2012

18 week bump - definitely showing.

A quick quick post.... I'm 18+4 now and there is no way you can fail to notice... This week was the first time I ventured out without a coat/jacket covering my bump and as a result my neighbours have started to notice!!! Funny.... Yes, the secret is fully out, the bump is on show.

I think once your bump pops out a bit it starts to get a bit easier to dress it... before that you're stuck in a no mans land where you're a bit too big for your normal clothes, but your bump isn't showing enough for it to be obvious that you're pregnant so you just feel kind of dumpy and don't know what to wear.. I think I'm coming out of that phase now.  I'm still wearing a mixture of maternity and non-maternity.  Generally speaking, I need maternity wear on my lower half, so it's mat jeans and tights.. Many of my dresses and tops still fit over the top quite happily.  It's quite a nice halfway house.  This is my fave look of the week so far... sorry I'm in the loo again!


Tights - Mama @ H&M
Boots - Kensington Uggs via Cloggs.co.uk
Dress - Primark (last year)
Cardi - New Look (earlier this year)
Belt - ebay
Snood - Primark
Hat - H&M (last year)

I've loved finding this dress at the back of my wardrobe... I didn't love it on me before being pregnant (despite adoring the print) but I feel it works really well over the bump, even if it makes the bump look bigger!! H&M Mama tights are a staple... they aren't toooo expensive and seem to be great quality.  I have 3 pairs and layer them up when it's cold.  Best of all are my Uggs though.  I really do love these.  I cannot believe how well they are coping with rain, they haven't stained and have remained watertight.  LOVE them. Comfy and warm as well....

Linking up with the lovely Transatlantic Blonde today :)

Wednesday 12 December 2012

17 weeks - time for a festive tee shirt

Howdy folks!

I'm 17+3 today and feeling it.... tiredness still not eased off... my restless leg syndrome has ramped up a gear, I still have a blocked nose most of the day and sleep sitting up.  It's wonderful, I'm really glowing.  NOT.  I just keep thinking about the 20 week scan.  It'll be lovely to reach that "half way point", to know what we're having and hopefully to get a tiny bit more energy!

Although I'm not feeling physically my best, I'm trying hard to keep upbeat.  It helps that Christmas is round the corner, so I'm keeping everything festive.  This includes the annual "bringing out" of my festive tee shirt from Cath Kidston.  I've had it for a few years now, 4 I think, and it comes out every year in the run up to the big day!!  I love this tee shirt, it always makes me smile, and quite often other people as well when they spot it!

I'm afraid my photos are a bit rubbish this week, I took a few when I was in the loo at my local coffee haunt.   yeah, I'm so classy!!  So, my apologies for that!!


Hat - M&Co
Coat - Red Herring Maternity
Tee shirt - Cath Kidston (old)
Jeans - Topshop Maternity (2009)
Kensington Uggs - Cloggs.co.uk
Jewellery - Stella & Dot (you can buy via me, stylist I.D. 145279)

My jeans are from my previous pregnancy and I'm still very fond of them. "Pippa" skinny maternity jeans from Topshop. They really are a "true" skinny, a lovely fit. Loved them last time, glad I have them to wear again!! Also really really thankful I bought this hat a few months back because it barely gets above freezing at the moment and it's so handy. Between the faux fur collar on my coat and this hat, I don't need to wear a scarf. I do love my scarves, but sometimes it's easier not to have to worry about grabbing one before leaving on the school run!!

I just want to take this opportunity to say a bit thank you to everyone who reads, comments and follows my blog. It's been about a year since I started to make a huge effort with it and it's paid off. I'm not one of the biggest blogs out there, but I've carved out a nice little niche for myself which I'm happy with. So, thank you for helping making that happen. I hope I can keep at it in the new year!! In the meantime, I feel I need a break from all things blog, so with Christmas coming up, I hope you won't mind if I take 2-3 weeks off... There's a chance I might feel like I have a quick blog post I want to type up in that time, but just at the moment, the blog is starting to feel a bit like a chore. I know I need a break. Normal service will resume in the new year, when I will be over 20 weeks and hopefully feel refreshed and ready to start again!! Don't abandon me forever and have a lovely lovely Christmas and New Year!!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and and Transatlantic Blonde today.

Friday 7 December 2012

Glow Blocks review

DKL Marketing Ltd very kindly gave Ethan and I some very cool building blocks to review a little while back.  They are made by Wonderworld and they are a little more exciting than your average building blocks because.... THEY GLOW IN THE DARK! Oh yes.... you can bet this got Ethan all excited!!

I'll admit that Ethan doesn't do as much building with blocks as I thought he would, but when I showed him these Glow Blocks, his interest increased.  Since then, he's been getting them out of their box whenever he fancies it and building "little towns" on his car mat for his cars to drive around.  Best of all, when they've been exposed to light for a while, we can switch off the lights, close the curtains and enjoy the glow coming from the blocks!!  I will say that they do have to be exposed to a decent amount of light before they glow though.


These blocks are a pleasure to play with. They are eye-catching, bright and nice and chunky.  Easy to hold and build with and the variety of shapes is excellent.  We like them at our house!

This set of Glow Blocks retails at £19.99 can can be purchased from various places including Amazon and Play Merrily Toys.

Thursday 6 December 2012

TEN Skincare review

Did you know I'm pregnant?  You didn't? Where have you been?  Ok, ok, I know that you know...When I was pregnant with Ethan was hugely paranoid about stretch marks.  As it turns out, I was lucky, I didn't get any.  Whether this is down to my genes or skincare routine, I don't know for sure.  I suspect genes have a big part to play - my Mum doesn't have stretch marks after having my brother and I.. however, I'm not one to take a risk and leave it up to chance. Last time I applied Bio Oil and other lotions and potions liberally, twice a day, if not more when my skin was feeling tight and stretched at the end..  I'm not writing about Bio Oil today though.  No, lucky old me, the lovely people at Clever Skin Care have given me some stretch mark cream from TEN Skincare to try out.

I've been using this cream for about 6 weeks now I believe, applying it every day, most days twice a day (unless I forget).  I'm applying it all over my belly, the tops of my legs, side/hips and on my boobs.  My first impressions were good.  The cream is a lovely consistency and has a nice smell.  It's not overpowering at all, just a nice light fragrance.  It sinks into skin nicely though of course massaging it in is one of the huge benefits!  Now, as I said above, I suspect my genes have treated me well in the stretch mark department, but there is something I do suffer with that this cream is REALLY helping with.  Itching.  My breasts aren't small normally, but when pregnant they become vast (I'm not joking, last time I reached a 30J).  All that growing and stretching equals sore itchy skin for me.  Applying this time twice a day is reducing the itching I feel considerably.  I really notice on the days when I forget to apply it - my boobs are much itchier.  So, in my mind, this cream is worth it's weight in gold just for the anti-itch properties!!  Just something to note, before I used this cream I used other moisturisers on my boobs but they made no difference.  I'm not saying that there isn't something else out there that would help as well, but the fact is, this cream is helping me!!

Stretch mark wise, it's too early to tell I think.  Scientific evidence tends to suggest that it's not so much the properties of anti stretch mark creams that make a difference, but the actual act of moisturising and massaging you skin regularly.  That is quite probably the case, but if you ask most women, I think you'll find they air on the side of caution and buy some sort of "bump" cream to apply when pregnant!!! I know I did last time, and when this one runs out, I will again!


Something I like about TEN Skincare is their philosophy - a good mixture of science and nature (isn't' that the name of a Bluetones album - I love them!).  As much as I can, I try to use "natural" products on my skin. I'm a big Lush fan and my body moister of choice is by Jergens Naturals.  This anti-stretch mark cream has lots of lovely ingredients including jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil and shea butter. It doesn't include parabens, ethanol, SLES, formaldehyde, dyes, colour, phtalates, lanolin, soap, paraffin mineral oil and nitrosamine. This makes it safe for you and your baby when it arrives - great news if you are continuing to apply the cream to your breast area and are breastfeeding!

Would I recommend TEN stretch mark cream? Yes, I would. In particular I would recommend it to friends who I know are suffering from itchy, stretched skin. Is it worth the money? Well, it's not cheap (RRP is around £34.50 for 200ml and you can buy TEN Skincare from Clever Skin Care) but I feel it's going to last a long time. So far it's lasted me a couple of months almost and I still have loads left - this is with applying twice a day. You never know, it might last the whole pregnancy. Last time I must have spent at least £40 if not more on Bio Oil... All in all, it gets a thumbs up from me!

***I was provided with TEN Stretch Mark Cream to try out and review for free but I have not received any compensation and all views provided are my own***

Wednesday 5 December 2012

16 weeks - some disapointment

Today I had my 16 week appointment with the midwives (I'm actually 16+4).  I was quite excited.  Well, there aren't many appointments with your second, so any appointment is a source of excitement   It also forces me to focus on what we're actually doing because most of the time I'm too busy with Ethan, going to and from pre-school, doing housework, food shopping, blogging, stella & dot work, organising stuff for Christmas.. the usual, most of the time I forget to actually "connect" with this growing bump.  I don't quite forget I'm pregnant due to the fact that the nausea hasn't completely left, my boobs are still growing (by the second it feels) and are terribly itchy, I still get odd cravings and feel hungry all the time, I'm always exhausted and my bump is growing.  But it's almost like it's not connected to the growth of a new human.  Just a load of stuff that's happening to me on top of every day life.

So... yes, it's nice to have an appointment.  To stop and take stock.  To think about the fact that 5 and a bit months from now (maybe 6) we will have another child.

Unfortunately, my good mood was soon destroyed during my appointment today.  When I went in for my booking in appointment I told my midwife I would like a home birth   She was happy with that as my choice, didn't mention any issues, wrote it down in my book and that was that.  Since then I've been happily planning the birth I want in my head.  What music I'd have, how to hire a birthing pool, where to put it in the house and all the other bits (ironically as I write this an advert for Call The Midwife is playing).  I've been getting really excited about it.  I don't want to go to hospital if I can avoid it.  I don't want to have to go on a ward again.  I hated it.  I know no one really likes it, but I think my PND was compounded by the night we spent on the ward.  I felt so scared, so alone.  There was so much noise, I didn't sleep a wink.  That lack of sleep (after the 30+ hour labour) compounded my tiredness and it all spiralled down from there.  I know there isn't always very much control in birth and labour, but whatever control I can have, I want to have.

I digress... Today I saw a different midwife (as often you do) and I mentioned the home birth to her.  Her face dropped straight away and she proceeded to tell me that despite her and her colleagues being huge advocates of home birth, it's not something they recommend.  She told me "It's an option, but I have to tell you that most ladies who opt for a home birth in our area end up giving birth on their own because no one can  get to them on time".  She even told me if I were to call an ambulance it might take up to 40 minutes to get to me.  She went on to explain how it works on an "on call" basis, which is fine, but the area they cover is HUGE.  Far too large for the number on midwives who are on call at any one time.

I feel my dreams have been shattered.  I appreciate this is the reality of the situation   I don't know where to go from here.  The midwife told me I can still have home birth as an option, but is it really a valid option?  It doesn't feel like it when someone tells you that in the same breath as telling you that safety of the baby is the most important thing and that you may be left to give birth on your own.

I honestly can't express how disappointed I am about this.  I know this isn't a countrywide issue.  My friend who lives in London is having a home birth with her baby (due in January) and from the get go she has received nothing but support and confirmation that unless complications arise  her baby will be born at home, as she wants.  I feel jealous of that.  Terrible useless emotion, I know..  I also know that 5 years down the line, most likely all this won't really matter as long as I have a healthy child at the end of it.  It's just so bitterly frustration to have choices removed from you.  I feel like the carpet has been pulled from beneath my feet.

I'll get over it.  I have to.  This is the reality of the situation.  But today, I feel low :(

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Trendy Tuesday - Festive Tops!

I had a little break from Trendy Tuesday last week.  I'm still not quite over this cold (16 days and counting) so that combined with pregnancy leaves me feeling very drained and tired a lot of the time.  Pete (hubby) is now quite poorly with it as well so I have a patient to look after.  Combine all of that with getting ready for Christmas, I'm tired... and blogging is falling behind a bit.  I might take a bit of a break for a week or two over Christmas, I'm feeling the need for some time away from it all, it's starting to feel more like a chore than a passion...

Anyhoo, on to today's subject for Trendy Tuesday.  Festive clothing!  I love a bit of Christmas clothing, I'm a sucker for anything with a fairisle print, or snowflakes.. Even better though is something with Father Christmas on.  This year I've found my No.1 favourite Christmas top EVER.  It's designed by one of my favourite brands, Smafolk and I bought it via bebaboo.com.  They don't have any in stock now unfortunately.  Luckily I'm signed up for their emails so as soon as they had them in stock I was able to dash over there and click buy BUY BUY!!  I'm glad I did.  I love it.  I got it a size too big so it should do Ethan for this year and next.  I'll be happy to see it come out again!


I've bought a couple of other festive tops for Ethan this year, one (pictured above) I bought in a charity shop for 75p (originally from Asda) and the other is a fantastic knitted reindeer jumper from Primark.  I got myself a very similar one so Ethan and I can look really cheesy!! Unfortunately I don't seem to have a photo of it on my laptop or phone, but believe me, I will have pics of us wearing them over the next few weeks!!

Do you like to buy "festive" clothing?  Do you buy a special outfit for your children to wear on Christmas Day?  Something else I like to do for Ethan is to buy new pyjamas to wear on Christmas Eve night - all part of the excitement!!  I wonder if others do that.

It's easy to join in with Trendy Tuesday.  Got trendy offspring?  Take their picture, blog about it and share with me!  These are the "rules"


1) Link your blog post to the linky below.
2) Please display my badge (to the side) and your blog or in your blog post and link back to my blog.
3) Please comment on this post and visit as many of the other linked up posts and comment too.  We all love a comment!
4) Tweet me (@medicatedfollow) the link to your blog post so I can retweet it!

Thank you all for reading and joining in!

Sunday 2 December 2012

Cold weather - time for boots (Cloggs Boots Review)






It's late on Sunday evening and I'm sat downstairs tapping away on my laptop.  Ethan is fast asleep and hubby is in bed due to the evil cold I've had for the last 2 weeks taking a grip on him.  Our gorgeous Christmas tree is up and smells wonderful.  I'm feeling quite festive!  We've had a busy week and what with the cold dragging on, I'm looking forward to the wind down to Christmas now.  Don't be surprised if my blog gets even quieter!

In baby news, I'm now 16 weeks and I feel SO SO HUGE.  I'm finding it really hard to get my head around after being so small when I carried Ethan.  I know it's different second time around, but honestly, I feel like it's getting out of hand.  I don't think I'm eating too much, but maybe I am!  I'm starting to get quite worried about loosing the weight post birth.  I know, I'm being silly, but it's the way my mind works!!

Beret - H&M
Scarf - New Look
Cardigan - H&M Maternity
Tops (underneath) - New Look & H&M (old)
Skirt - H&M 
Tights - H&M Maternity
Socks - H&M
Boots - Cloggs.co.uk

You might remember I mentioned my gorgeous new Ugg boots recently?  Well, Cloggs.co.uk kindly asked me if I would like to review another pair of boots for them.  Cloggs have brought out their own Merino wool boots (similar to Uggs) as part of their Signature Range. There are two styles to choose from, The Catherine, a short boot and The Victoria, a tall boot.  Both styles are available in chestnut (like tan) or black.  I chose to review a The Victoria in Black which retail at £89.99.

Now, I've tried quite a few pairs of Ugg "substituites" over the years and to be honest, never really been impressed by any of them.  There are the dirt cheap "fashion" ones you can pick up in places like Primark or New Look which in my experience are so poor they are pretty much slippers... Then there are brands like Bearpaw.  I had a pair of Bearpaw boots.  As much as they were a vast improvement on "store own brand" styles, there was something about them that just didn't work for me so I sold my pair... After that, I just decideded to save up and buy a pair of "real" Uggs.  I've never looked back.


I have to say that for £89.99 I feel these boots by Cloggs are good value for money.  Yes, they aren't quite in the same legue as Uggs, but for less than half the price they are a good alternative.  The lining isn't quite so thick, but I've actually found that quite handy because I love the look of thick tights and socks worn with boots.
The Victoria - Merino Wool - Black
Image source - Cloggs.co.uk

I think the outer of the boot is great.  I love the detail on the back, or as Cloggs call it the "crown stamped back plate".  It adds a little something, makes them stand out and not look cheap.  My absolute favourite thing about these boots, though, has to be the sole.  Described by Cloggs as a "Snowflake anti-slip sole".  These boots are a dream to walk in because of this sole.  It is so flexible and the grip is excellent.  I would rate the sole on these boots higher than those on genuine Uggs.  Walking is comfortable because they flex with your foot.  A big thumbs up from me on that score!  Would I buy these boots myself? Yes, I would.    Value for money, they look good and feel comfy.  Well done Cloggs!



Before I go, I thought I'd share a few snapshots of our Christmas decorations and tree.  Are yours up yet?  We decided the 1st December was the right time for us, but I know that's too early for some.  Ethan is so excited this year.  It's his 4th Christmas and this time he really really GETS it.  I thought he did last year, but he understands so much more this year.  He keeps asking for snow bless him because he wants to "make a snow castle and the snowman" (note, not "a snowman" but THE SNOWMAN!!


I hope you've all had a lovely weekend - have a fantastic Monday!

Linking up with the lovely Patti for Visible Monday.