July Madness - Part 1

For anyone that knows us as a family,or reads the blog regularly, you may recall that July is an incredibly busy month for us. We celebrate both Ruby and Lottie's birthday, as well as our wedding anniversary.

Last week was Lotties 3rd birthday, 3! how did that happen? I seem to have missed a year as the time just goes by so very quickly. For anyone with little ones cherish the early years as it goes too quickly and you won't ever get it back. 

Lottie is very different to Ruby and knows exactly what she likes and dislikes; she has a tough and strong willed personality when it comes to doing things. Lottie adores Peppa Pig, In fact I would go as far as saying she is addicted! Every item of clothing she wants to wear each day has to have Peppa on it, she always wants to play with her Peppa toys, she is just Peppa obsessed!

So what do you buy Lottie for her 3rd birthday when she has everything as a hand me down from her big sister Ruby? 

There was only one thing I could get Lottie for her birthday and that was to go away for a couple of days to Peppa Pig World! We went last year for her birthday but I don't think she was quite old enough to enjoy it; this year was completely different and she loved each and every single minute of it as you can see from the photos.

Well that's one birthday down, just the wedding anniversary on the 26th of July, shortly followed by Ruby's 6th birthday and then mid August its hubbies 30th birthday! July is definitely a great month of celebrations in our house! 

1st Blog Anniversary - How time flies?

I don't know about you, but life seems to be hurtling by so quickly that if I blink, I miss something; this was one of the reasons that I started the blog. I wanted to create a place where I could record memories for my girls and also for family and friends to be kept up to date with what we are up to.

Today marks one year of Ruby + Lottie! When I reflect back on the last year, there have been so many highlights and blessings that I'd have forgotten if they had not have been recorded on my blog. 

There are many posts that I look back on and feel incredibly proud that they have made a difference to other people lives, especially the posts that I've written have helped to raise awareness of charities and conditions that are on my heart; in particular Hyperemesis, Breastfeeding and PVNS. My personal favourite posts were the ones where I wrote down my thoughts and feelings for my girls in the letters that I published on their birthdays. 

I've been incredibly blessed over the last year to have had articles published by parenting websites and even in traditional print media, when my story of hyperemesis was featured in last months Prima Baby Magazine.

I have even been fortunate to take part in many radio interviews raising awareness of issues close to my heart.

 

However there is one things that I didn't anticipate when I first started the blog...... that I would make so many fantastic new on-line friends who have been so encouraging and supporting of both me and the blog. I would also like to thank You, the people who read this blog, you are all amazing, and without you, this blog would not happen. 

Finally, to mark one year of Ruby + Lottie I will be offering everyone a chance to have a free gift! So stay tuned for details later in the week.

Once again thank you all so very much for your ongoing love and support.

Kimberley

Birthday Present = Stress!

Yesterday Ruby was at playschool, so I thought I would take the opportunity to try and get some bits together for her birthday. She has already had a Little Tykes 8 in 1 climbing frame, but I just wanted to get her a few bits for her to open on the day; I find shopping for Ruby so easy, maybe its because I know her personality, I know her likes and dislikes.

Ruby used to be a tom-boy, but over the last few months something has changed and everything has to be princessy and pink! I love it!

Whilst shopping today I managed to buy Ruby a new nightie with belle from beauty and the beast on it, a couple of Tinker Bell DVDs which were on special offer and a princess pocket kite. I then bought some balloons and a table cloth, all of course with, if you could not guess.... Disney princesses!

I am really struggling to know what to buy Lottie as its her birthday a week on Thursday; I have no idea where the time has gone, how can my baby be 1 already? I really am not sure how I feel about it.

Lottie really does not want for anything, she has everything she could possibly want and will do for the
foreseeable future, thanks to having an older sister who was born in the same month just 3 years apart. I am just stumped, I want to get her something but I have no idea what. In some ways I wish I had, had a boy second time round as it would have made Christmas and Birthdays so much easier. Lottie is still to gain a personality that I can read and know what she wants, so what do I buy her because if I don't buy her anything I am going to be feeling guilty.

I am thinking of buying her a charm for her charm bracelet, but Pandora make so many charms I have no idea which to get!

I have shared my dilemma with some friends on twitter, but still I am unsure what to buy her; So if you have any ideas please please share them with me I would be so grateful.

A Month of Celebrations!

July is a very special month mixed with lots of different celebrations, but three in particular are very important.

Little Lottie will be turning one on the 11th, where has the time gone? We're still not really sure what we are going to do to celebrate her birthday, but were thinking of having a lovely family day out somewhere; it will depend on the weather. I would have hope it will be lovely and sunny but with how the weather has been lately I don't hold out much hope.

Ruby will also be celebrating her fourth birthday on the 31st, I am still struggiling to get my head around the fact that she will be starting school at the end of August, I know she is ready and full of confidence but part of me, purely for selfish reasons, wants to keep her at home so I can spend more time with her; she is just so much fun to be around.

Thirdly, its My wedding anniversary on 26th; 5 years ago I was sorting out table plans and worrying over all the little details and what if and could go wrong.

On another note, if you are enjoying reading my blog and would like to follow, you will see at the top right of the page some new icons which contains links to the Facebook page, twitter account, google +, Instagram and RSS feed. You can also follow my blog on bloglovin, network blogs or google friends connect.

Lastly I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who entered my first ever give away to win a Breastvest and the winner has now been notified and shall be receiving their price shortly. Following on from the success of the giveaway I have been asked if I would like to host another and have decided that around the time of Lotties birthday a new giveaway will start; details of the prize will be up on the blog shortly so please keep reading.