April 2014 - Confessions of a Slummy Mummy

Happy Easter from the Macdonalds

Posted on 19th April 2014 at 3:51 pm.

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Nesting and preparing for our new arrival.
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I was so anxious about this week, with Scott back to work and the return of the school run but actually it’s gone really well!
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The first day I honestly thought my lungs would collapse. I felt faint and weak, but it’s got easier as each day passes. I guess I let my (very) basic level of fitness dip over Xmas. Don’t get me wrong I’m having to leave the house with double time to spare and I’m waddling like a duck but, with the return of routine my mood has also picked up which I’m super thankful for.
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I’ve been nesting, prepping everything ready for little ones arrival. I don’t want to do too much cos I hate the idea of not having a project to occupy my final days but I think we are (nearly) ready now.
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Playgym from @little_stories_uk #brandrep Brandrep Search is now open for the next term if like me you love natural wooden nursery products!
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#brandrepsearch #babynurserydecor #babyplaytime #naturalbabyproducts #woodenplaygym #othermothers #thirdtrimester #parenttribemxl #myhousethismonth #myhousebeautiful #readyforbaby #modernnursery #modernnurserydesign

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It’s the end of the holidays and probably about time I stepped out of the bubble ive been hiding in for the last few weeks!
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I can’t blame my insta lapse entirely on pregnancy, I mean it doesn’t help that my Facebook account is STILL down either but i have to face that I always get like this my final months.
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I had every intention of this being a medicated pregnancy, I thought ahead to these weeks before birth and what a scary time it was after Gully was born and decided I should stay on medication, but as time progressed. And I read more, I wasn’t sure it was right for me! Babies born on my meds are required to stay in hospital for 72 hours of observation following birth. They can suffer with withdrawal..... how could I do that to my child?? So I slowly cut down and I’ve been medication free since 20 weeks. I felt fine!
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But it’s hard now, I feel anxious and grumpy and at times lacking in hope, meds also dull a lot of your senses so, while I feel more alive now, I also feel more vulnerable. My highs are wonderful but my lows are crippling.
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I’m scared, I’m scared because postnatal services have been cut, you only get a phone call in the first few days rather than a visit and you don’t get to meet your health visitor before birth anymore either
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I’m giving myself tiny projects to keep me motivated, but I’m so worried for the next three weeks, the relentless school run and monotony of parenting a toddler who’s dropped his nap and who doesn’t talk. Plus, what might happen after birth??
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I’m snappy and paranoid and anxious and tired A big pregnant mess and I’m not really sure where I go from here. I’ll be fine, I’m always fine but i do wish more women would share this side of pregnancy online. Instead of the just the happinesses and excitement.
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Our lives are about to change forever! And thats ok! But there’s way more to that than ‘what’s in my hospital bag’ or ‘new baby haul’. ‘Names we love but won’t be using’ or even ‘did my waters just break?? DITL PREGNANT MUM OF FOUR’. So yeh here’s my contribution!
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I don’t need sympathy, I’ll totally nail this shit and be fine! But I just wanted to share to validate the feelings of anyone else in this position.
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Trying to take this photo was more painful that labour.... seriously!
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It’s fuzzy! I’ve not used my professional lighting or picked up my DSLR for weeks..... it messes up the pattern in my grid, but who cares! This is what Christmas is all about!
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Wishing everyone love and joy this season! A happy Christmas eve from our house to yours.
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Now how long do you think it will take this lot to go to sleep so we can prep for tomorrow??
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#otherothers #xmaseve2019 #mxlcrimbo19 #familypjs #thenightmarebeforechristmas #mbloggers #myhappycapture #snaphappybritmums

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We saw Santa!
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I’ve been quiet on the grid recently, taking some time to soak in our final Christmas as a family of 6.... or rather, if I’m honest, just surviving.... the festive excitement and fatigue are very real right now!
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Having another baby has put a few things into perspective. The constant chasing of likes and comments on social media seem a little frivolous when I’m lucky enough to be growing a human and taking three hours to film myself decorating an Xmas tree is ludicrous when I could do it in an hour and then sleep 🤷🏻‍♀️
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I decided at the start of this pregnancy not to share weekly updates or ‘bump shots’ not a dig at those who do just that it’s an emotionally charged time for me. I always getting very reflective and a little insular when expecting, I become very aware of mine and my family’s mortality and how little physical support we have.
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What little energy I have at 35 weeks pregnant is going into this lot...not into the creation of content for others. It’s a hard balance, something I feel sad about because I adore creating Christmas photography and videos, it’s always been an outlet for my creativity, but, five children, no childcare and no family nearby means I need to accept my limitations and prioritise.
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Just be aware, next year Xmas will explode on my grid like glitter from a cannon 😂
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#themeinmummy #othermothers #realmotherhood #rhirdtrimester #visittosanta #mumsnetbloggers #festivemxl #myhappycapture #myfamily #fifthbaby #familychristmas

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Raising teens is tough! It’s tougher than I thought it would be, I was utterly convinced I’d be a cool, understanding and approachable mum, but I’m not
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This week’s gift guide is 4forteens! link in bio. I don’t know about you but I don’t like the idea that teen gift guides all seem to focus on make-up, handbags or gadgets for girls, as though they’re just a product to be painted, dressed up and displayed. Barbie dolls!
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These are the women in the future! They’re intelligent, creative and environmentally conscious! They deserve to be celebrated.
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They need to be built up and championed and reminded that they’re beautiful as they are!
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How gorgeous is this bespoke wall print of H from @ohmygoldldn
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Discount code SMUMMY15
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#roomdecor #teenbedroomideas #rosegolddecor #bespokeprint #teengifts #teengiftguide #xmasmxl19 #myfamily #raisingdaughters #raisingfeminists #teengirl #giftsforteens #giftsforteengirls #myhomestyle #mywalldecor

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