I've finished

I'm not normally a person who finishes things, so this is a major achievement for me (and hopefully a sign of things to come!) I've really enjoyed this project, thanks Shimelle for a fabulous class.

So, here is the 30th September. When asked to eat some chicken, Jacob replied, "No daddy I like rice"

I also managed to complete a 12x12 layout last night as well. This is based on a sketch from the September :BE INSPIRED creativity prompt from the blog A Matter of Memories.

These photos were taken earlier this year at the Valley of the Monkeys in France.

A very Industrious Day

I've had a brilliant day today. Just me and three friends locked in my conservatory scrapping. I completed 7 pages of my learn something new everyday album. Only one day left to scrap and then I've finished.

19th September is about my amazing sister. She is the most fabulous auntie and completely adored by Jacob. She took Jacob swimming for us just after Daniel was born. She has been a great support and I love her so much.

24th September. I love this photo, it was taken by the medical photographer, Jenny at the Countess of Chester hospital. When we had Daniel we were asked by one our midwives, Helen if we would be on the front of the home birth leaflet that she had put together. We said yes. I saw Helen yesterday and she said that they are currently at the printers. I can't quite believe we are going to be on a leaflet.

25th September. The thought of giving Daniel formula milk made me feel sick, a failure, a terrible mum etc etc. However, by this point Daniel was feeding all the time, I wasn't getting any sleep, I just felt awful, so we took the plunge and gave him some formula. The world didn't end, my child had a full tummy, I got some rest and I don't feel a failure.

26th September. I found keeping a journal through September extremely cathartic, especially after Daniel was born. I've managed to capture how I was feeling then. The plan was to continue post September, I haven't!

27th September. How cute are my boys! This was the day when we first heard "Jacob hold" He loves holding Daniel. We thought that maybe the novelty of having a baby brother would wear off quite quickly but it hasn't.

28th September. One of the huge blessings of being part of Christ Church is the fabulous meal rota. After having a baby food is delivered to your house every day for a week. We had the most delicious meals delivered each day. However, my friends from one of my house groups hadn't been included in the rota, so sent me an email asking if they could cook for us. "Please say yes" it said, so we said yes. Thank you fabulous friends

29th September. I love autumn and all the colours. After spending a couple of week pretty much in the house with my newborn, it was a bit of a surprise to see those beautiful reds, oranges and yellows in the trees. I can't believe I missed the start of autumn.

So, only one more day to do. I'm going to try to sneak off tomorrow and get it done. I can't wait to get on with some 12x12 layouts before JYC starts.

Sunflowers & Not Sleeping

So, here are a couple more Learn Something New Everyday layouts. 22nd and 23rd September.

The 22nd was the first day I had left the house properly since Daniel had been born. After several sleepless nights and hormonal crying, it was so lovely to see the sunflowers we had planted all tall and smiling in the afternoon sun. I can't wait to grow more next year.

The 23rd was a day that followed a night of little sleep. I went back to bed mid-morning but couldn't get to sleep. So instead of getting upset and in a tizz with myself I got my book out (nothing too highbrow - chicklit) and just rested and read for a couple of hours. Although I had not been to sleep I still felt so much better.

I don't really like this layout though. I think I may need to re-visit once I've finished.

So, I'm nearly there. I'm off to print the last batch of pictures now.

A bit of a blur

I have to confess, the first couple weeks after Daniel was born were all a bit of a blur. I just about managed to keep up to date with my Learn Something New Everyday Journal with a view to scrapping things when life became less hectic. It was really interesting to go back and read some of the extremely hormonal things I had written. It is amazing how much stuff you forget about that first couple of weeks as time goes by.

So, here are my pages for the 18th, 20th and 21st. The 19th is to follow, I haven't printed the photo yet.

Breastfeeding had been a huge problem first time round. I was determined to do it but Jacob didn't have a very strong suck, so ended up being fed through a tube. It was a huge relief in that first 24 hours that Daniel was a natural at it.

The baby blues had well and truly set in by the 20th. Bring on the random crying, for absolutely no reason at all. In fact I spent a considerable amount of the day in tears. The only thing that stopped it was the bedtime routine with Jacob. I really enjoyed running his bath, putting him in and making his hair spiky with the shampoo, putting his pyjamas on, reading his story and putting him to bed. I felt normal for a whole hour.

For someone who would ideally like 12 hours sleep per night, having just a couple of hours really isn't good. The downside to Daniel being a brilliant feeder meant that he wanted to do it all the time at the beginning, which meant I just had to grab 40 winks when I could. I love my bed.

Welcome Daniel George Shanahan

I know I've already blogged Daniels arrival, but as I am posting my Learn Something New Everyday pages, it would be wrong not to post this page. How cute, I'm pleased with this page.

Contractions

Having contractions while looking after an exuberant two year old could've easily been a recipe for disaster. However, I was lucky that day to have been blesses with a well behaved, quiet, contented, cuddly boy. He was gentle with me, played with his toys nicely, sat on the sofa and cuddled me while we watched cbeebies and then when we packed him off to Grandma's went without any fuss, in fact seemed to treat it like an unplanned holiday.

Halfway

The 15th September was the halfway point of Learn Something New Everyday. The prompt called for a page about yourself and what you are learning about yourself doing this project. I kind of cheated, I can't make my mind up whether I like what I've done or not, will try harder next year!

Gardening Techniques

Jacob and I spent the afternoon with my mum and my brother at their new house. My brother was keen to have a go at my mum's new tree choppers and shredder, and this bush was the casualty. He wasn't making much headway, so decided to take a running jump into the middle of the bush. It seemed to work as soon the bush was a gonner.

Sunday Sunshine

We thought we would make the most of the English Heritage Open days and get out and about. When we had a look on the website, the best place to visit on the Sunday was Norton Priory, which is a ruined monastery. Jacob really enjoyed running around in the ruins and through the woodland. I'm really pleased that we went out and made the most of the September sunshine.

Chocolate cupcakes

In the run-up to giving birth I baked a lot, mainly cupcakes and biscuits (and not all were successful) I think most women clean as their nesting instinct, but not me! These were my chocolate cupcakes, the recipe said it would make 12 and I ended up with 24! They were yummy though.

Cool Bargain

What an absolute bargain. We really needed a new fan for our bedroom, however being the laid back couple we are, we didn't get around to looking for one until September. So I managed to snap this one up at half price. How satisfying it is snapping up an absolute bargain.

Jumping Cat

Well, it seems like forever since I've done any scrapbooking but over the last week I have managed to put some pages together for my Learn Something New Everyday book. Unfortunately I had to use the flash to take this photo, I shall try to take a photo in daylight if I get chance.

I would like to introduce Tudur (it's Welsh). He is the new kitten of my friend Luci and as you can see he jumps extremely high.

Overdue

Yeah, more opportunity to scrap in pink. I never thought I'd get to use this kit! I got Mike to take a few pictures so I think there may be a 12x12 layout that needs creating too.

Well, I am overdue now! My friend text me today to say I should try to hold out until 20.09.2009, as that would be the next cool date.

Ice- Cream Bribery

Last week Mike went to pick Jacob up from nursery. They were all playing outside in the cars and on the bikes. After watching him for ten minutes he was unable to coax out of the car he was whizzing round in. So he ended up dragging a kicking and screaming child away from nursery.

I went to pick Jacob up and didn't want to drag him home, so offered him chocolate ice-cream, worked an absolute treat. Bribery is ok sometimes.

Cheshire Ice-cream farm is defnitely one of our favourite places to visit. In addition to lots and lots of ice-cream, there are ducks, hens, rabbits, cows, sheep, pigs, goats and donkeys.

Afternoon Naps

The prompt today was all about re-learning something. However little did I expect to actually re-learn something.

Well, I learnt that I like afternoon naps too! I used to have afternoon naps when I was pregnant with Jacob. Also when he was new I would sleep when he slept. I think this is my favourite learning so far.This photo was taken after his nap. He loves climbing into our bed, so I got him to pretend to be asleep for my page today.

Family Time

Often I think that we need to have have plans to have special family time. I was reminded on Sunday afternoon that any time can be special when you are with your family, even just lounging around on the bed on Sunday afternoon.

I'm so glad I picked up my camera to take some pics. I've got enough for a 12x12 layout for my album. Don't I have two very cheeky boys. Say cheese!

Baby Shower

Did you know that nappy cake is made out of actual nappies? Well, I didn't until I arrived at my baby shower to find my two tiered nappy cake pride of place in the middle of the table.My fabulous friends Luci and Abbie organised a baby shower for me. I was on strict instructions not to give birth before Saturday! Fortunately there was lots of scrummy cakes and scones to eat. There was also a hunt the parcel and a quiz. It was such lovely afternoon spent with fantastic friendsFor anyone who is interested in making one then there are loads of online tutorials.

Think Pink

Before I tell you the story, just a quick confession. I didn't use left overs today. As I rarely get to scrap in pink I made the most of it and picked a full sheet of paper and chopped it up. I loved scrapping in pink though, so I don't feel that guilty.

How much was I looking forward to going girl shopping. I never get to do anything pink, especially now Mike's god daughter is older. So off I went to Toys R Us all optimistic that I would find loads to pick from.

Well ten minutes into the trip I found it really isn't that easy buying for a two year old girl who you don't really know. I had all but given up and was about to go down the safe book option when I spotted this tea set. Hooray, hope she likes it. Not sure why but blogger decided the photo should be in landscape, however it is definitely a portrait shot, so apologies if you a get a crick in your neck!

Another thing I've learnt this week doing the project. Sketches rule, thanks Shimelle, I think they are the only way I've managed to stay on top of things

New Carpet

We had a new carpet fitted yesterday. The man in the shop told me the fitter would arrive some time after 12pm. So I waited in. And i waited, and i waited and i waited! He arrived about 4:40pm, however he was done and dusted in 15 minutes, quite impressive.

He said he still had two more jobs to do after our house.

Not a very pretty picture today I'm afraid!

Not so grumpy Jacob!

I can honestly say that yesterday morning did not start well. I had had a terrible nights sleep and then I was awoken by a whinging two year old. Rubbish, today is going to be a long day.

However, I couldn't have been more wrong. Jacob's mood seemed to improve throughout the day, the morning was spent playing with soft stuff, squashing, rolling and cutting. I even managed to get some photos of him saying cheese and grinning at me. In the afternoon we went to Cheshire Farm for ice cream, it's never too cold or rainy to go for ice cream and to see the ducks!

I have to admit though, my determination to just use up bits and pieces on this project has been tested in this layout. Not my finest work, but I decided I would just do and see what happens. So please let me know what you think! As I said yesterday the photos will be attached when I have enough to print, but below is my pic for 02.09.09.

As I have to stay in today (we're having carpet fitted I shall be cracking on with my other crazy project my quilt, so if you're interested I'll pop some pictures on here later of any progress I make!