He's arrived! (well he did 10 weeks ago!)

Well, what a few months this has been! After my last post re tiredness my pregnancy ran smoother although I did suffer further with tiredness and achyness. Once I got myself a bump band (from JoJo Maman Bebe) and lots of very early nights I felt better.

I made sure I looked after myself - I bought maternity clothes, mostly from Debenhams, JoJo Maman Bebe, H&M and Matalan so I felt a lot more sassy than during my first pregnancy when I mostly wore hand me downs that weren't my style and made me feel unattractive. For some reason maternity clothing costs the earth - because they can I guess - if anyone business savvy wants to set up an affordable maternity clothes shop with me I think we'd do great! That being said it's definitely worth taking some time and treating yourself mums! I looked out for sales and got most of my dresses for under £20!

My baby shower, surrounded by all the amazing women in my life. I am one lucky lady! (with one silly husband, if you spotted Pete in the background!)

One of the hardest things for me during my pregnancy was not knowing what we were having as I like to be super organised and get everything ready. Of course, I didn't mind what I had  - I just wanted a healthy baby. However, I must admit the rush of being the one to see and reveal the sex at the birth was kind of worth it (but don't tell Pete!) I had a lovely, chilled water birth. I have been studying mindfulness a lot and my friend has recently trained as a hypnobirther (I'm not sure whether this is the correct technical term - sorry Fran!) If you're thinking of completing a course on hypnobirthing I would highly recommend Fran. Check her facebook page out by following the link: https://www.facebook.com/mamagotthisfran/
She gave me some great advice and I was totally ready when it was time for Elliott to make his arrival. In fact, Pete didn't even believe I was far along enough "You're too calm!" he said - brilliant! If you want to hear more about the birth, just let me know.

Just chilling in the birthing pool

Elliott Stephen John Loates arrived on 23rd August 2017, 3 days early and much earlier than expected as Harrison was a week late! As soon as Elliott arrived I was broody for the next one. I was just so ecstatically happy! I must admit that has faded a bit now. I love my boys to bits but the tiredness has kicked in so adding another bub to the mix right now probably isn't the best idea!

Harrison is making a super big brother. He started school in September so there has been a lot of change for him but he's coping well. Over the last few weeks his behavior had started to deteriorate but with a little TLC and by really focusing on not getting snappy and shouting at him (tiredness does horrible things) it has improved and he's back on track.

One thing I haven't mentioned yet is our other new member of the family. The cuteness competition is on! Tilly Beau Loates arrived on 22nd August (yes the day before Elliott) Tilly is a rescue dog we adopted from a pound in Cyprus so she wasn't allowed to travel until she was 4 months old. I had a niggling feeling that she would end up arriving at the same time as the baby (didn't realise it would be that close) but she was too cute to say no and I knew I could cope. We are extremely lucky because she is the sopiest most loving little pup you ever met - such a lap dog! We all love her very much! She's just been spayed so she's in the cone of shame at the moment. Even so, she's loving all the extra cuddles.

Tilly Beau Loates

We've already had our first family holiday; we went to Portugal over October half term. I LOVED it there. We stayed at the Paraiso De Albufeira where we had a room with a little kitchen - perfect for making up bottles. They had good food, great facilities and fantastic entertainment, especially for the kids. Travelling with the kids was fine; Harrison played on the kindle and the baby slept; I held him in the baby carrier to save my arms. Mum and Dad came too. It was lovely to spend time with them and have help with the kids. We had a well needed break and I can't wait to go back there again (next year, fingers crossed).

Elliott's first family holiday. 

That's all for now folks - I'm off to have a bath with a relaxing Lush bath bomb as both kids are in bed and we've been fed- go me! I hope you've enjoyed this update. If you have any questions or would like me to talk in more detail about anything please comment below :)

Alice

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busy busy!

Well it has certainly been a busy few months! We have had some amazing times! Let me give you the low down...
We visited Venice, just the three of us. Venice is absolutely beautiful and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves a view and picture perfect moments. However, I wouldn't recommend visiting the area to anyone who has a three year old toddler. Probably should have thought this one through... there is a lot of water...and no barriers... and lots of steps which are not ideal for buggies...we spent the majority of the time chasing Harrison and having him ask 'Is there a park?' By the end of the trip we were exhausted so we managed to locate a park, a boat trip away and stayed there! It's also very easy to get lost there so I would recommend a Venice site seeing app that has GPS!




Picture perfect

Said grumpy toddler



Had an amazing bubble bath whilst watching Bridemaids.
As you do when in Venice...

St. Mark's Square

As this was during the Easter holidays I have another week off so I decided to go to Spain with my parents and Harrison (Pete was back at work) in their motorhome with their yappy dog, Phoebe.  Spain was amazing and I would definitely love to return (much more child friendly) but I don't think I thought through (there's a pattern here) all of us sharing a small enclosed space for a long period of time including a two day journey through France to get home. Harrison was actually very well behaved. I, however, was climbing the walls! I like to stop and see the sights so next time we go we will be flying! We saw some absolutely beautiful sights in Spain...

Said yappy dog



Guadalest - a beautiful town in the mountains of Spain. Well worth a visit! Heavenly.



The port in Barcelona. Such a beautiful city!



A beautiful sandy beach, somewhere near Benidorm.

We had a reasonably quiet June half term and were off holidaying again in the summer holidays. This time it was to our home away from home in France. We have a house in the Deux Sevres region of France; a tranquil location in the middle of the countryside with the nearest neighbour a mile away. When out in France we visited Terra Botanic. I would say it's well worth a visit there - especially with kids but just as much for adults too.


They had these super dressed up characters.
They scare the hell out of me but H loved them.

Lots of beautiful picture opportunities. Here I am in the Japanese
hydrangea garden.



Terra Botanic is a great place to go if you
love plants and nature.

 

One of my favourite sites in France is Saumur, a town situated beside the Loire river. We went to a jazz night at the wonderful Gratien et Meyer, a wine celler (if you like wine, Saumur is a good place to go). I think we paid something like 8 euros and got free bubbly and live jazz music as well as a stunning view as it is based on top of a steep hill.

H and Pete having a great time.



The gorgeous views up in Gratien et Meyer.

 My favourite town along the coast in France has to be La Rochelle. The old town with its cobble stone roads has such a great atmosphere, particularly in the summer months when the night market is in full swing and street entertainers line the roads; not to mention the food - fresh seafood and ice-cream of all flavours. Yum!

A picture perfect town

You can park and ride a boat into the town centre.

Then in September it was back to reality and back to school! As well as all of the amazing trips, I have been working very hard on my singing and have been picking up more gigs. If you or anyone you know need a singer, check me out at Alice Loates Singer . I will be back soon with an update on work and mum life!

Have a super week!

Alice

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