Moving On

To say I have been busy is an under statement. Along with the general, working, sick toddler, day-by-day stuff we are buying a new home.

After 2 years of our house being on the market in a BAD housing market we decided enough is enough as I cannot stand the cramped conditions in our house. As much as I love the place, and it does hold a lot of special memories for us being our first home together that we basically gutted and renovated we have decided to bite the bullet and rent it out. That way, we get to hold onto it but without the burden of having to live here.

So thats that.

We found a bigger semi locally with a fantastically large garden by local standards that is going to be amazing for Eden, an extra bedroom, upstairs bathroom instead of downstairs, and an extra loo. I could go on, probably one of the most important things about the house is that I am just up the road from one of the bests primary schools in the country.  I am so excited.

Only problem, we have to renovate this one too.

Were not scared of the work cos we have done it before, however we didn't have an inquisitive toddler in tow last time. How we are going to tackle that I have no idea. As we don't have a tenant yet were going to try to do as much as possible before we actually move in. I think if we tackle the main rooms then any other less important stuff can be done at a later date.

Well, my touchpad won't allow me to upload any pictures but I promise I will soon. Has anyone completed renovations with a toddler around? I would be interested to hear how that went!

Shel x

Photoshoot

Finally, after what feels like months of waiting I got to see the much anticipated pictures of Eden taken for Mamas & Papas Winter collection. We are so excited to get the high res pictures from this shoot!

I just look at these and thing - little girl.

Alas, my baby is no more.

Shel x

Bad Blogger

Yes that title would be me. Think it is my record so far for time between posting, it's just been one of those times when my mind has been on other things and trying to think of interesting things to blog about - when life has been pretty uninteresting felt too much like hard work.

Well, things have just been hectic and a bit overwhelming if I am honest. I hope it isn't only me who feels like that but do you ever feel like it is gogogogogo and you don't ever really relax. There has been stuff going on, and hopefully some exciting stuff to come before the year is out (and no I'm not pregnant)  but honestly, I think I need a holiday.

I feel very much on auto pilot at the moment. Eden will turn 2 in November and that thought in itself is overwhelming. We still refer to her as "the baby" like, "what's the baby having for dinner" and so on, but more and more these days she shows the traits of a little girl and less of a baby. I didn't get to take her 21 month pictures this month, so yesterday I took some 21 and a half month pictures instead.

and these

and these out takes :o)

So this post is a bit all over the place but I promise to explain all very soon. I do have a wedding to talk about that belonged to my dear friend and Eden was a little flower girl! Also the Mamas and Papas photo shoot amongst other bits and bobs.

Now I'm going to check out Brandi's blog, amongst others :o)

Shel x

Fat Lip

First ever "proper" injury.. great until she saw the blood :o)

It doesn't look so bad on this picture bit it was so swollen after she did it. Fell on her face with an almighty THUD! There was a lot of blood but lucky it could have been worse.

Good timing Eden, just before your photo shoot next week :o)

Shel x

20 months

And now, we have a 20 moth old. Actually, about 2 weeks ago we had a 20 month old but nevermind!

So with the odd day of warm weather we have loved our favourite place, the park. Eden has a new found excitement for anything with wings.

Favourite activities include: Dancing, preferably Rhianna, Chris Brown, Lady GaGa, but most things will do. Eating Ice Pops or "bopbops" and mums make up.

New words include: "MINE" "NOOOO" "RICE" "FISH" "BAPPLE (apple)"

Can't wait to see what month 21 will bring!

Shel x

Internet: Caution!

Well it's been a while but all I can say is you won't believe what happened...

Well I decided (cos I was bored) to do a little web search of my blog out of curiosity just to see what may appear and I am so glad I did. Turned out I found someone on Polyvore had set up a fake account and decided to create her perfect "family" This family consisted of a husband, 2 daughters and a son. The youngest daughter being MY daughter.... no joke.

What do you mean? I hear you ask.. well she had taken pictures of Eden from this blog and added them to her Polyvore account passing her off as her own daughter "Amelia" WTF?? This included updates on "Amelia's" personality, likes etc.. Can you imagine my reaction when I saw this. I felt sick, I can't tell you.. The worst thing I found was her profile picture, a Photoshopped image of all her children, herself and her husband with the words "Devett" family in the centre.

I am still in shock.

As you can imagine, I reported this immediately and thankfully the website where quick to remove the profile and all said links, however this experience has left me with a real sour taste in my mouth. I feel like Eden has been violated and in a way I feel like I have not done enough to protect my daughter. I know there are a lot of crazies out there and it has made me totally aware of how dangerous the web can be. I have considered giving up the blog.

Then I have got to thinking about the reason I am doing it. As a diary. So that i can show this to my daughter when she is older and she can see al the fun stuff we did - how she changed and grew and how our bond keeps getting stronger.

So I will continue to blog, with caution, I will keep on updating, and I will not be put off by one troubled individual, who I actually feel sorry for.

Shel x

Falconry Experience

It is so great to do something a little different sometimes and for us it was playing with bit birds!!
I booked a Falconry Experience in Manchester and it was fantastic! I have always wanted to get up close with these birds and to get the chance was just amazing. We took my mum along and she was on baby sitting duties but the hour went by so fast.

I have total respect for birds of prey.

 It's gonna be so great when Eden gets older and I can show her these pictures and tell her all about the majestic birds and how brave dad was holding the biggest bird. If she is anything like me she will love nature and hopefully, we can take her back there and she can try it out for herself... I am sure she will be brave enough to hold the "big" bird too.

xx

Mamas and Papas

Eden has a fitting next week for Mamas & Papas and we are so excited!
For those who aren't familiar, a fitting is where you go and try some outfits on and if they (hopefully) fit her she should get the booking for a photoshoot with them!!

As always I am very proud.

Let's just see if that big belly let's her down :o)

x

Cuddles

Feels like we hit a pleasant change recently with Eden. She has really started liking people other than her Dad, Nan and I and it's lovely.

For so long it felt like we had to tread on egg shells where other people where concerned because she was just not into them at all but  think since she started her taster sessions at the new nursery something has clicked into place and she is great.

We had a lovely time in Liverpool meeting some friends and because she was being so nice and friendly it was so special. She hasn't seen our friend Lindsey very often but she just latched on to her and it was so cute. I could tell was so chuffed about it too.

By the Liver Building in Liverpool

I HEART THIS CITY!!! X

Eden's Photography

My mum has given eden her very first camera. it is a cheap little digital number that holds about 25 pictures but I swear you would think we had given her a 50ft high teddy bear. She walked around all afternoon squinting to look through the viewfinder, obviously been watching me!!

I am going to keep these and show them to her when she is older :o)

 Ok, so I took the last 2 :o)

Role Play

I find it hilarious watching Eden play with her dolls and teddys and what not. Isn't it funny how as they grow their toy preferences change and now she has a toy box full of stuff she doesn't even touch.

However  give her a buggy and she is amused for hours.

I need ideas for toys suitable for a 19 month old. I sold a few of her baby toys and with the money bought her a toy guitar, a robot and a word game thing but she seems uninterested in them and I cannot read books to her every hour of the day so I'm a bit stuck at the moment :o)

Shel x