#MumLife

you can tell bedtime’s about to go wrong when this happens… https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Elsie-Doggy-Care-Scare-ebook/dp/B0CTKCM5J7 the pacing. the looking around. the “not settling” energy 😩 this helped us so much 💛 try it tonight https://ko-fi.com/ourelsieltd

It was the morning of August 4th, 2025. I’d spent the night before smashing out some “nesting” tasks, scrubbing the grout in the bathroom, cleaning out the linen cupboard - all things that felt absolutely essential to do in preparation for baby. I woke up around 6 a.m. with my eldest son, Henry. I was a little achy, but at 32+1 weeks pregnant with my third baby in three years, I thought, no big deal. We continued with our usual morning routine, breakfast, getting dressed, then sitting on the floor to play cars (because you can only play cars on the ground 🙃). Around 9 am I went to the bathroom and noticed I was bleeding. It wasn’t heavy, but after experiencing a stillbirth in June 2024 at 31+6 weeks, anything was enough to send me into panic mode. With a toddler in tow, nothing happens quickly. We made it to the MAU just before 11 after walking in from Garran because I couldn’t get a park in the multistorey. The ward clerks were all on break, so I spent the next half hour trying to entertain a very bored toddler in a quiet waiting room full of other women waiting to be seen. By 12:30, we were still waiting. My symptoms weren’t overly concerning, and baby was moving well, which eased my worries enough to stay patient. Anticipating a long wait, I messaged my dad (Henry’s Pa) and asked if he could swing by after his dentist appointment to take Henry to the park while I waited. “I’m sure I’ll just be in and out once I get seen to,” I said - famous last words. At 1:15, I was finally hooked up to the monitors. Henry was grateful for the change of scenery while we waited for Pa. Around 2:30, the midwife told me they were happy with my NST, but given my history and the bleeding, they wanted to do a cervical check and an ultrasound. Pa arrived not long after, and off went Henry, very happily the park. The midwife and a dr came in to do the cervical check. Within seconds of the speculum opening, both of their faces dropped. They smiled politely, said they’d be right back, and quickly left the room. The baby (who we didn’t yet know was a girl) was still alive - that was all I could think. Whatever’s coming next can’t be as bad as what I was told in this room last time. I thought to myself. A few minutes later, the nurses returned one carrying a huge needle. “This is a steroid shot,” she said with a reassuring smile. The doctor then explained I was 3 to 4 cm dilated and would be admitted until birth or until things settled. “We’ll monitor you for at least 48 hours,” she said. “It could be weeks, but if baby comes soon, 32-weekers usually do very well.” I was given the steroid injection around 3:30 and made a few quick calls first to my Dad, to let him know he’d need to take Henry home but “not to stress, it’ll probably be days or weeks.” Then to my partner, Charlie, who, unlike me, had a feeling he should get there fast. Lastly, Dad called to let me know hed call Mum to let her know she might want to come after work. (My phone was on 5% at this point, whoops) The nurse wheeled me to the birth ward, I wasn’t allowed to walk in case it progressed things further. The aches I’d been feeling all morning were actually light contractions, and they were starting to intensify but only slightly. Mum arrived straight from work at 4 p.m., and Charlie not long after at 4:07. The contractions were stronger now, but since I thought I had days ahead, I didn’t pay much attention. Soon, more nurses came in to try to place an IV. Four nurses later, the anaesthetist (who had an absolutly un matched bedside manner) came to the rescue. Two tries later, it was in and that’s when I really noticed how strong the contractions had become. I don’t remember these being this painful this early, I thought around 4:30. I asked for the gas, which my midwife started setting up. “We’ll start low and turn it up as needed,” she said. (Because of allergies and spinal fusion, gas was my only option so I didn’t want to exhaust it too quickly) She also mentioned that the NICU team would be in shortly to talk about what would happen if baby came in the next few days. I asked her to turn the gas up. “I don’t think this is working,” I said, still fully clothed. She laughed kindly and said, “We’ll turn it up, but you might want to get into a gown and take your shoes off.” I remember being so annoyed about taking my shoes off. Before I could change, I felt a gush my waters breaking. It was 5:06 p.m. The midwife hurried to prepare the warming station. Only then did I finally accept that baby was probably coming tonight. A minute later, I felt it. “I think the head’s out,” I said (just like my last birth, where no one believed I was in labour until her head was out.) “Yep,” said the midwife. “Can you press the emergency button over there?” Mum scrambled to find it. At 5:09 p.m. three minutes after my waters broke our beautiful daughter, Sophie Eleanor, was born, loudly (thank everything good in the universe) at 32+1 weeks. They placed her on my chest. Her warmth, her tiny movements, her smell; suddenly all the grief and heartbreak from the past year hit me like a truck. But so did the relief. She was early, but she was safe. “Oh, she’s beautiful,” Mum cried. “She’s a girl?!” I double checked. The NICU team stepped in quickly but calmly. They were amazing. Sophie went up to NICU with her Nanny while I was checked over (no stitches woohoo!). I showered, ate, and was finally allowed to go up to see her. When I saw her tiny, fragile body surrounded by machines, it was overwhelming. But there, in the middle of it all, was our little ray of sunshine. Holding her, I remembered Judy. Sophie was warm Judy had never been so warm. Sophie smelled of milk, not metal. She could curl up on my chest, and I could feel her tiny breaths against my skin. I’d forgotten that this was how it was supposed to be. That night, Henry came to meet his baby sister. He crouched down really low beside her isolette, “Hi baby Sophie.” He’d been told to be gentle and quiet, and watching him meet her made my heart explode. I knew from that moment he was going to be the best big brother. I could go on forever about her first night or her 32-day NICU and SCN stay, but I’ll end it here. At the time of writing (October), Sophie is 11 weeks + 1 day old and absolutely thriving. She’s doubled her birth weight (1,850g), is fully breastfeeding which has been huge for us both. Shes smiling, and trying so hard to roll over. Sophie has truly brought so much sunshine back into our lives.

Anyone else struggling to raise their mum? This woman does not listen to anything! 🙄 Featuring This Is The Life iPhone 16 Series Skin

We’re on holidays at the moment and my husband took this photo of me and my boys - I’m going to be the short ass very soon!

It is okay to admit motherhood is hard - to put blood, sweat and tears into raising your children. This is such a short period in both of your lives - it is hard but it is so so worth it.

if bedtime is taking forever right now… you know this feeling 😭 up, down, settle, repeat we were stuck in this every night this actually helped us 💛 £1.99 • kindle unlimited https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CTKCM5J7 https://ko-fi.com/ourelsieltd

I am a working mum, but i was made to be a mum. I put my all into being your mum. The best mum. I am one of hundreds of employees; replaceable, yet I am one mum to one little one; irreplaceable. For that i will be dependable, a loving mum a one in a million mum. The best mum as you hold all my love my perfect little one. To all the beautiful mothers out there: your babies are your blessing, your gift and your life long love. Hold them dear, keep them near and remember as long as they hold a smile and your love : you to are the best mum. The most deserving mum, the proof: your little one!

Why is the house always a mess & why do I always have to clean it?

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Smart Ways to Save on Baby & Kids Essentials 🍼 Saving Money on Baby Essentials (Without Cutting Corners) Babies grow fast, and the costs can stack up just as quickly. The good news? You don’t need to overspend to get everything your little one needs 💗 🛒 Use Voucher Codes & Cashback Before buying prams, clothes, or nursery items, always check for voucher codes and cashback offers. A quick search can knock money off essentials you’d be buying anyway, especially for bigger purchases. 👕 Consider Second-Hand & Hand-Me-Downs Lightly used baby clothes, toys, and gear are often barely worn. Swapping items with friends or shopping second-hand can save a surprising amount while still keeping things safe and practical. 🚼 Travel Gear That Lasts Look for strollers and accessories designed to grow with your child. Seasonal sales and brand offers can make premium items far more affordable. Saving on baby essentials is all about being smart, not stingy

Every mum deserves a moment to pause, recharge, and reconnect—because when you care for yourself, you care for your family even better.

Why am I so exasperated as a mum? It’s not what being a mom looks like in the films.

Mother’s Day An Emma-Made collage of us for Mothers Day Beautiful & touching sentiments followed by a warning about drinking Sangria ❤️🤣 View On WordPress

Here is a list of names I would use if I ever get to name another babe ⭐️ Girls : Rosie Polly Daisy Ella Libby Boys: Billy Joey Reggie Rudie Woody

amit készítettem ma: - vaníliás overnight oat magvakkal, aszalványokkal reggelire - grill szendvicsek és fahéjas csigák madpakkeba - óriás adag brassói aprópecsenye vacsorára amit ettem ma: - néhány szál ropi egy almával és sajttal

Caraleya as your extra memory? Why not! Watch how Caraleya helps Madeline simplify life as a busy parent. From attending her kids’ swimming lessons to school events and doing everything in between, we’re so glad Caraleya worked as the personal assistant she didn’t know she needed 🗓️✨ We love seeing Caraleya in action, helping real families stay organised, thoughtful and on top of it all. 📲 Want a helping hand too? Download Caraleya today and see how easy thoughtful planning can be!

The families top 3 meals What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals? The first meal that comes to mind is Christmas Dinner – never a highlight for the mums I think but everyone else loves it! My favourite would be a good chicken curry (with Thai green curry my absolute fav!). But I love the Pataks tikka curry paste on chicken & veg with a more creamy korma sauce – a firm family favourite. We also love it of course… The families top 3 meals

I keep trying to wake up before the kids so I can do my self care routine: yoga, reading, meditation, etc. But it’s impossible to wake up before them. So I try to work the stuff in elsewhere throughout my day, but ita nice to do it first thing so I feel more prepared for my day, you know? But it’s hard to feel spiritually sound or whatever when I have a child screaming about not getting to go first in a game where we actually already said they cod go first but they didn’t play so we moved on… My kids are not really difficult. I mean, no kid is they are just people with personalities and minimal frontal brain development, but ainfeel like mine are some of the easier ones. But even so, every day seems to start with some kind of yelling as they acclimatize to being awake. Actually, I kind of wish I could do that. Go out for a morning scream.

Autism Awareness Mama Bear: Connecting Autism Moms Through Community and Support “Mama Bear Autism Awareness” embodies the fierce love, protection, and advocacy that parents, particularly mothers, provide for their autistic children. This concept draws on the “mama bear” metaphor, which depicts a mother’s instinctive and powerful drive to protect her cubs. Buy now:19.95$ In the context of autism awareness, the Mama Bear represents parents who tirelessly fight for their children’s rights, education, and acceptance in a world that may not always understand or accommodate neurodiversity. These parents often become expert advocates, navigating complex healthcare and education systems, educating others about autism, and challenging societal misconceptions. The Mama Bear approach to autism awareness involves: Fierce advocacy for appropriate services and supportEducating family, friends, and communities about autismCelebrating their child’s unique strengths and abilitiesPushing for inclusive practices in schools and workplacesSupporting other families in the autism community Buy now This concept is often represented visually with a bear symbol combined with the autism puzzle piece or infinity symbol. It’s frequently seen on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and social media profiles of proud autism parents. The Mama Bear Autism Awareness movement emphasizes the crucial role of parental support and advocacy in improving the lives of autistic individuals and promoting wider societal acceptance of neurodiversity. The puzzle piece has been a symbol associated with autism since the 1960s. It was originally designed to represent the complexity of autism and the idea that people with autism were a “puzzle” to be solved. The multicolored puzzle piece suggests the diversity of people on the autism spectrum. Buy now However, this symbol has become controversial in recent years. Many autistic self-advocates argue that it portrays autism as a problem to be fixed rather than a natural variation in human neurology. They feel it promotes a deficit-based view of autism. As a result, alternative symbols like the rainbow infinity loop have gained popularity, representing neurodiversity and acceptance rather than a need for a “solution.” A “Best Mum” is someone who provides unwavering love, support, and guidance to her children. She balances nurturing with encouraging independence, and offers comfort during tough times while celebrating successes. Buy now The best mum is patient, understanding, and often puts her family’s needs before her own. She teaches valuable life lessons, instills strong values, and creates a safe, loving home environment. A best mum adapts to her children’s changing needs as they grow, remaining a constant source of strength and wisdom. She’s not perfect, but her dedication and love make her the best in her children’s eyes.