Congratulations Prince & Princess William of Wales

Congratulations Wills & Kate.

Well I was only going to watch the actual ceremony and then the kiss on the balcony but ended up putting E! on at 9am and watching the entire thing. Im not entirely sure why but its probably the same reason why we watch four weddings as well as the fact that this is a fresh start for the monarchy to correct where they went wrong with Diana.
They were a gorgeous couple, smiling and happy throughout and it was lovely to watch and yes I'll admit I teared up a few times while watching the vows and then the kisses. 

At first I loved what I saw of the dress as Kate travelled by car to the church but as she got out I wasnt sure of the bottom but it did suit her and it is a gorgeous dress, better than Dianas and Fergies. 

I loved that there was that moment where the ring almost didnt go on and the fact when they kissed on the balcony he went red, it was so sweet and I wish them a long and happy marriage! 

Here's to the future King & Queen

Please let them do this tomorrow

If only this was what the Royals were planning. 

Good Luck for tomorrow Wills & Kate! 

Jeepers it was bad enough preparing for my wedding with a few week old baby and we did it all ourselves, at least Kate has lots of help to make sure things go smoothly!! 

Jodi Picoult Sing You Home

Jodi Picoult is one of, if not my main favourite author. She doesnt shy away from hard hitting situations and ones that make you sit and think. If you are looking for chick lit beach reads then she isnt the author for you. I do find her books emotionally draining sometimes and so have to put a chick lit one or two in before I read the next. 

Sing You Home was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved the ending although I would have liked a little bit more of the ending explored but theres always a reason for the way Jodi does the endings the way she does. This particular book comes with a soundtrack that you download and play for each chapter. I didnt personally do this because as it stands I very rarely get a chance to read so didnt have chance to sort the music as sometimes I was out and about but I do have the music ready to listen to. 

This book is good although the one I recommend you start with is My Sisters Keeper, it is so much better than the film and will ease you into her style of writing nicely. 

Zoe and Max are married. For 9 years they have been trying to have a baby but due to fertility issues this is proving almost impossible even with IVF. After the birth of a premature stillborn boy their marriage disintegrates. After a few months apart they have both settled into new lives. Max becomes a born again Christian living with his born again brother and sister in law and Zoe marries a woman. Zoe and Vanessa decide that they want to start a family and that they want to use 3 embryos that were left over from the IVF treatments when Zoe was married to Max. Max needs to sign off on this but being naive the pastour of his church decides to bring in a hotshot lawyer to stop this as homosexuality is a sin and an innocent child shouldnt be brought up in that environment. Cue a long court battle which im sorry I cant tell you about because I may give it away. 

Jodi has come under a lot of flack about this topic, as she has done other topics but this one I dont understand why. I am Christian and I know people who are like the pastor and his flock who think that homosexuality is a life choice not something you are born with and so something that is wrong and sinful. 

I dont like this way of thinking and alot of the time you find the total bible bashers (yes I said it) are born again Christians. They are the ones that go out of their way to shove religion down your throat when they have only just found it. Ive grown up within the religion and am very openminded towards other religions and sexuality. 

If you love someone why cant you marry them be they black white green alien or same sex?

First Steps

Well its been a long time coming but my baby boy has taken his first unaided steps. We managed to get it all on camera as well which was brilliant and very lucky. He is still not doing it often, we would prop him count to 3 and let him go and then he would take a few steps to get to us but when hes moving between say the sofa and the table and its too far to reach he is still dropping to his knees and crawling. Actually brought tears to my eyes to see him toddle towards his daddy. Its amazing how much he has grown. He now grabs a book crawls over to whoever is on the sofa pulls himself up (yes he has learnt how to climb onto my sofa as well as off it) sits on their lap and demands we read him the book. He is babbling alot more just like those twin babies on youtube. He loves this video its like he knows what they are talking about and he points, laughs and babbles back. He has learnt to sign monkey and he loves singing in sign 3 little monkeys. He knows what he wants and he knows what he wants you to do! He is a total bossy boots and the strop on him is brilliant but I am dreading that if he is this stroppy now whats the terrible twos going to be like? Argh. Well fingers crossed and before long I can report that my monkey is a proper toddler walker.

 

He's American

Well its officially been released and Barrack Obama is an american citizen. He released a statement:

“Over the last two and a half years, I have watched with bemusement,” he said in brief remarks. “I’ve been puzzled by the degree to which this thing just kept on going.”

Obama said there would be a “segment of people for which, no matter what we put out, this issue will not be put to rest.” But he said that he was “speaking to the vast majority of the American people as well as to the press. We do not have time for this kind of silliness.”

Apparently The Donald is still not a believer so maybe he is better off being an advisor rather than the actual man in charge as well as the fact he is a republican and so on the same side as the crazy woman!

Happy Easter Birthday

Hope everyone had an amazing Easter Weekend, I sure did. I also had a birthday in amongst the celebrations where I was spoiled beyond belief. I love my hubby for giving me the best gift ever and then taking me for a lovely meal just the 3 of us. Have you ever tried eating out in a restaurant with a slightly tired 1 year old it was fun though. Lots of eggs, although none for baby, and a birthday cake to top it all off! Dont feel bad for baby though he had 4 large disney pooh characters which he will have a lot more fun with and they will last him alot longer. 

RIP Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen)

Its a sad day for Whovians around the world. The best loved assistant died yesterday after enduring a long battle with cancer. She was 63. 

I was lucky enough to meet her briefly when she appeared at a convention after reprising her role on Dr Who with David Tennant and she was a lovely woman. She will be greatly missed. 

Should a man wear a wedding ring?

Apparently men never used to wear wedding rings it was only around World War 2 that it became customary for soldiers serving overseas to wear a wedding ring to remind them of home, and their commitment to their wives and families. The popularity of wedding rings for men has since grown, but there is still divided opinion on whether wearing one is obligatory or not.

After the womens movement alot of women removed their wedding rings because they saw them as symbolising ownership of them.  Today they are seen as a sign of equality, both husband and wife are proud to show the world that they are committed to each other even when they are apart.

Prince William has revealed that he will not be wearing a wedding ring when he gets married on April 29th. Is this a big deal? I think like a bride changing her surname it is down to the couple and the individual involved. 

I changed my name and my husband wears a ring. The reasons I wanted the same surname as my child and I am starting the next chapter of my life with my husband as our little family. I will always be my maiden name but now I my married name. When discussing the rings I wanted ones that matched nothing flashy just plain gold bands and maybe that is why hubby was willing to wear it even though he never wears jewellery. I look at my ring and think of him and know that my husband does the same. He lost his recently before our 1st anniversary and it upset the both of us because he was going to replace it but then it wouldnt be the one that was blessed but luckily it got found and he is extra careful with it now. 

There was a debate about this in a womens magazine with Carol McGiffin and Someone off TOWIE so they are obviously people whose opinions you need on things like this. 

Cheating seems to be a major factor when you google this. A man who wears a wedding ring is seen less likely to cheat than a man who doesnt.  Although it takes nothing to pull that ring off and put it in a pocket.

"I don't think a band on the finger will guarantee anybody's fidelity - there are some more primitive urges at play there, I would suggest. But it's a statement of commitment. It's a celebration as well."  says David Miller, director at etiquette guide Debrett's

Work is another factor. Mechanics, plumbers, builders, etc dont tend to wear wedding rings as their work is manual and jewellery can get caught in machinery etc. 

I somehow dont think Kate Middleton will need to worry when it comes to Wills. According to the press release it was his choice as he doesnt wear jewellery, I dont think theres going to be a woman on this earth that doesnt know who he is and the fact that he is married. He also seems very much like his mothers son. I did find out that his dad does wear a wedding ring just not on his ring finger. He apparently wears it under the signet ring on his little finger. He also wore the one he had with Diana until after the day he got engaged to Camilla. However the Duke of Edinborough doesnt wear one.

Maybe matching tattoos will become more popular although look at Pamela Anderson and Peter Andres weddings to see how that turns out.   

Brian Mcfadden / Delta Split

Brian Mcfadden (you remember him he married Kerry Katona, left Westlife, divorced her and moved to Oz never to be heard from again) and Delta Goodrem (I think she was on neighbours then became a singer) have split.He has now decided that living in Australia meant that he only saw his children a few times a year and was missing out on their childhood. A source for Reveal says

 "The way Brian sees it is, if hes not in a full on relationship, he has more time for his girls"

Does this mean that if he gets into another relationship he will dump them again like he did when he got with Delta?

At the minute he is planning 8 months in the UK and 4 months in Australia. So the chances of him meeting another Aussie girl obviously minimal and his children will then lose out again. 

Im in no way a Peter Andre fan, in fact I find him quite manipulative and he plays the victim very well but at  ou cant accuse him of not being there for his children. 

I do feel sorry for Molly and Lilly because their life hasnt exactly been easy the last few years what with their parents divorce, then the whole drugs and Mark Croft years and the fact that their dad is on the other side of the world with his new girlfriend. Hopefully they will grow up to be confident, secure, intelligent young women! 

Criminal Voting

Why should they be allowed? They havent followed the laws laid down by the country so why should they have a say in who makes them?

This Euopean Court of Human Rights is pathetic. It needs to take a good look at itself and see who exactly it is helping.

People who have stolen from, raped, murdered, etc innocent hard working law abiding people! 

Also why should Europe be in charge of what happens here? 

All they have done is turned prison into a holiday camp with TVs, Games Consoles, Sky and better meals than some families get as well as lovely cushy cells. 

They broke the law and gave up their human rights especially if they have taken another life - what about the victim of their crimes and their human rights?

Trump for President?

Apparently The Donald has sent investigators to Hawaii to check whether Barrack Obama was born there. Karen Brady (Yeah I only know her from something to do with a football club) reckons that this is infantile. Why though? 

Dont Americans deserve the right to know whether the man that they elected has broken the rules and lied to them. There has been speculation since he entered the White House that he is not an american citizen and could stamp those rumours out by presenting his birth certificate. He hasnt, in fact he has done the opposite and sealed it so that it can never be made public. What kind of person does that? What is he hiding? 

He has been entrusted to run the country but if he has lied about this then what else has he lied about?

To be fair it was great when he became President and a lot better than the Palin woman ARGH she is such an idiot. 

Donald Trump is a self made millionaire not once but twice!! Everyone is struggling with the economy the way it is so who better to help get everyone back on their feet than The Donald, the man who came from nothing lost it all and then got it back again? Even if he doesnt run maybe he should be taken on as an advisor to the White House to see if he can help sort the financial status.

UMM - United Mothers Movement - Uniting and supporting mothers regardless of their choices

Breast or Bottle

Cloth or Sposie

Wean @ 4 months or at 6 months

BLW or Puree

No cry or CIO

Babywear or Pushchair

Co-sleep or Cot

These seem to be the things that set mum against mum, each one declaring their way the superior and correct way without chance of rebuttle. It really frustrates me that people jump to conclusions mainly because of what they have heard, experienced from 30+ years back or the fact that it is a different idea to what they view as the norm.

When I got pregnant I always knew I wanted to breastfeed there was no doubt in my mind about it, my mother had breastfed 3 kids and I remember my auntie breastfeeding hers so to me that was the norm. While pregnant I was asked what I intended to do, which I did think was a bizarre question. However in response to breastfeed I was met with:

"Oh I really hope you are able to I know it means alot"

"You will never be able to do it with those boobs" (I was a G cup)

"You will suffocate the little bugger"

"My sister almost suffocated her daughter because she has big boobs" (it was 20+ years ago)

Then 2 had a discussion about me in my presence about how I will be leaning over the bed dangling my boobs to feed him. Now they probably didnt mean anything by it but as a first time soon to be mum it worried me - was it really that hard? Would I be able to do it? 

 My midwife was brilliant and simply said of course I can its just finding a position that works and she was right. It was hard work but the moment you figure out what works for you and get into some sort of a routine it got easier.

I decided to look into cloth because it would work out cheaper more so than being greener. Also have you seen cloth nappies, they are so darn cute! Again I seemed to be the only one in my little group that considered using them, everyone thought it was too much hard work because they didnt know anything about them.

I babywear but I also love my pram but only got into babywearing when my monkey was 5 months and occasionally still wear him now depending on what I am doing.

I have nothing against co-sleeping and in fact have been a co-sleeper now since January. I dont mind it although its driving hubby crazy and yes sometimes I want some adult time but hopefully we are going to start him back in his new big boy cotbed soon.

I babyled weaned at 6 months with occasional homemade purees. I religiously check salt and sugar content and I dont give my child chocolate. I want him to eat proper food before he gets a taste of the junk and decides he only wants to eat that. I have friends who dont think twice about letting their babies have tea, sweets, chocolate, cake and biscuits and some of these babies arent 3 months yet. I dont judge them they are my friends and its their child. To me its not an issue as we are two different mothers trying to do our best for our children. 

It really got me thinking when I read another blog in work today about how often we are judged as mothers, wives and women. At a time when we should be bonding over a lifechanging experiencewe bitch (for want of a better word) at each other and run each other down.

Only the other day I witnessed on a happy hippy mother forum a woman passing judgement on another mother she had seen out and about. When other mothers tried to point out reasons judged mum did what she did they were attacked for it. It really shocked me. 

I love my friends and if I can help or advise them when they ask for it then I will try my best to. I dont judge because although I wouldnt at the end of the day it is up to them to decide what is right for their family. Unless it is totally idiotic or dangerous (leaving a sleeping baby in a car seat in a car on a main road while you are inside a house and cannot see them for example) Im quite happy to respect their choices as long as my choices are met with the same respect. I want my friends to say hey AprilFool I need help with this that and the other knowing that I wont judge them as incapable or idiotic because they asked for help just like I want to be able to ask for advise without being treated like Im a criminal. 

We are all entitled to opinions I just wish we could discuss these things like grown ups and agree to disagree not turn everything into a slanging match.

Personal Attacks

Ok it was our first anniversary last week and apparently MIL wanted to buy us something for the house - Nets for the front windows. 

Hubby said no its fine we have nets we dont need any. 

Her reply was yes but they would look nice, 

He replied with so my house doesnt look nice, 

No i didnt say that i just mean it could look better! 

So it looks ok it could just look better?

and so on. Anyway she got the message. Hubby told me about this little exchange and I admit I went off on a little rant about how nothing is ever good enough for her and not only is she having a dig at my mothering skills she is now saying my house is shite too. He replied with its not a personal attack on you! 

Umm this woman has just said that my house looked like crap but its not a personal attack on me because its about us. Honey I am one of the us so yes it is a personal attack. He doesnt agree. 

Then we have the whole divorce debacle that his brother and SIL have decided to start on facebook and thats not a personal attack because thats aimed at us too. 

Its like seriously honey we should both be angry because it is aimed at both of us but I do take things very personally and maybe he has slightly thicker skin but just because its about us doesnt me its not personal. Does it?

Breastfeeding @ 13 - Mothers Love or Disturbing?

Reading Thats Life and boy was I shocked. Its not one of my regular reads but it was there so I read it. Turning the page I have to admit with the headline "Breastfeeding my 13 year old son" I just stared open mouthed. 

Now dont bash because I am not an antibreastie I am a breastfeeding mom and have been for almost 14 months now and have no immediate plans to give up. 

I do however think that 13 is too old to be breastfed. I think at that age they are starting puberty and are more aware of sexuality (not that breastfeeding is a sexual thing at all) and at 13 life is confusing enough for them trying to work out what they do and who they are.

Virgin on the Ridiculous?

Reading about a woman who at 44 is a virgin. The reason? Apparently there is too much sex around and women have it at the end of the night like they were buying a bag of chips.

Hmm well im not sure about that. 

I was in uni and engaged before I had it. For me it was a big decision and I had been with my fiance a long time. We had a few false starts where I was ready but wasnt and so didnt. When we did it was funny - yes funny and maybe a little awkward but it felt right and I enjoyed. We stayed together a few years but then he decided that he wanted to sample off the menu (other women). It hit me hard but when my next relationships came along I didnt jump into bed with them either. I maybe an exception because I dont drink, smoke, do drugs, etc. Even my friends are similar, obviously they drink and some smoke but only one can I call promiscuous lol she loves sex and makes no excuse for it and nor should she. She will have it with whom ever she can when ever she can. She is a grown woman who has come out of a relationship she was in since her teens and is letting her hair down.

That to me is better than getting married but having fooled around with the best man and other men in the years prior to the wedding, which is another friend I know. 

I think young girls are pressurised into lots of things too early like drinking, drugs, smoking and sex. Its crazy and the worst offenders are generally other girls/peers/friends.  At 16 all you want to do is act grown up and they think by drinking etc it makes them grown up when it doesnt it just shows up how young they really are. You sleep with your boyfriend because you dont want to lose him but you lose him anyway and then you get the rep of being a slag. If he says "if we dont have sex we are over" then girls should have the self worth to kick him to the curb. 

I do feel like this 44 yr old has missed out on something special - the relationship between husband and wife (not the sex) but the bond that we have and the creation of our child.

Happy 1st Anniversary

Well its offiicial I have now been a married lady for a whole year. What a day. First off I find out that his family wish us a divorce nice huh. Now hubby thinks its a nasty coincidence but the afternoon before our anniversary a status appeared on his SIL's wall about how she wished she could be buying a congrats on your divorce card. A few people commented and said how sad blah blah and how certain places do them and then someone asked who is getting divorced? Her reply was nobody we just all wish they were. Now ok it doesnt name us but I have banned them from coming near my child and so we dont see each other as well as it appearing hours before our anniversary. Writing that about anyone is just plain nasty and goes to show they are better off out of our lives.

On a lighter note we took lil man swimming had a fab time then went for a lovely meal with friends fab.