My car isn’t a Lamborghini, it isn’t my dream Land Rover Defender 110, or a beautiful classic Mini with sparkling chrome. I’m not sure whether it would be anyone’s dream car, in fact, and it isn’t perfect. It has a few little dents scattered here and there and I need to touch up some of the paintwork. However, I am very fond of my little Toyota Yaris.
love
A letter to my daughter at 9 months old
Dear Autumn,
You’re 9 months old, little one! You’ve very nearly been out in this world as long as you were in my tummy. I still miss you being in there sometimes, but it’s so wonderful to now properly know you and watch you develop.
How to make a cast of your baby bump
When I was pregnant with Autumn, I saw lots of photos on the internet of women who had made plaster casts of their pregnant bellies. I thought it would be a lovely reminder of my bump and thought it would be amusing to wear in the future to see how big my bump was, (it was HUGE, I can barely believe it when I place it against myself now). Lots of women online also paint beautiful designs on theirs. Mine is still just plain at the moment, but I’d like to do something with it in the future.
Lots of places online sell kits for doing this and they often retail at around £15, but you can do it much more cheaply! All you need to do is buy some plaster of paris bandage rolls and some petroleum jelly. We managed to get these rolls from our local craft shop for a little over £1 each roll. I’m petite and two rolls just about made a cast of my bump, so for most women I’d probably recommend getting three rolls – you’ve still probably saved about £10!
Postpartum body – a husband’s perspective
After having a child, I think many women have body confidence issues. Even if you fit back into your pre-pregnancy jeans soon afterwards, it’s unlikely that you’re the same body shape. I’m not convinced anyone goes back to being just the way they were. That’s okay though, we’ve delivered our babies, which is a wonderful thing. However, when we look at extra pounds and stretchmarks in the mirror, it can still make you feel rather down! Often, though, the men in our lives don’t seem to mind too much. I asked my husband to write me a letter about my postpartum body and his thoughts about it. All being well, I can read this in the future if I’m ever looking at my reflection and tearing myself to shreds again!
A letter to my daughter at 7 months old
Dear Autumn,
I say this every month, but time is going much too fast! It seems barely any time has passed since I was writing a letter to you at 6 months old! You’re so big now, it hurts my back to carry you. Nanny found my book from when I was a baby and you weigh around 3lbs more than I did when I was your age!
What a good girl. When you came out of hospital after being seriously ill, I kept telling you to drink your milk. I told you that it would make you grow big and strong! Here we are almost half a year later and you’re doing so well.