41 years ago today…

Nov 14, 2011 by cafebebemama

41 years ago today a teeny (5lbs 13oz) me came into the world and isn’t the world better for it?! The picture to the left is NOT me when I was born but when I was about 3 which is a similar age to Ella at the moment. On this day, Ella is nearly 3 1/2 and waiting to be a big sister. On this day, I am 41 and not-so-patiently waiting to become a Mummy of two. If you don’t mind, I’m going to have a teeny look back at the past year and share a few brilliant things…it’s my birthday after all. I get two votes!

November 2010: We visited the stunning Celtic Haven at the beginning of the month for a glorious weekend as a family. I would love to go back one day as it was one of those experiences that you need to have more than once to take it all in. I also wrote a post about how much our house had changed since Ella came into our lives. A Toddler Lives Here is funny to look back to as we are literally in the process of making MORE toddler-friendly changes to the rooms upstairs in anticipation of Bebe’s arrival.

December 2010: In December of last year, I began a similar challenge to NaBloPoMo but of my own design…Countdown to Christmas. I shared my first steps into Gluten Free eating with Merry Gluten Free as I had just been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease. And then our family changed dramatically with the loss of our dear Sinjin. In Love Lost, I celebrated his life. We still miss him to this day and think about him often…in fact, Ella still thinks he might come back.

January 2011: I started taking a LOT of pictures at the end of 2010 and into 2011 thanks to The Gallery and Silent Sunday. Since I haven’t been participating AS MUCH in either recently, I have far less pictures and need to resolve to change that for next year. AND to print those images off! My two favourites for January of 2011 were Enjoying Mother Nature from The Gallery and One Big Step for Mummy from Silent Sunday. Sigh…

February 2011: At the beginning of this month I managed to get a teeny bit famous thanks to the lovely Liz Fraser (and some slightly inaccurate quotes) which caused me to evaluate my addiction to blogging, social media and my smartphone with Who am I? The Prime Minister? I also kicked off my weekly feature, Flashback Friday! Feel free to participate every Friday…I forgot when I started it!

March 2011: One of my all-time favourite pictures of Ella debuted in a Silent Sunday post this month. I may have to Kodak Big App it! And then, unfortunately, the “terrible twos” kicked in with Ella and we started suffering Toddler Temper Tantrums which led me to pull out the video camera in a plea for support and advice. I got some great tips and even a Pampers expert’s advice!

April 2011: I kept on video ranting in April with my Playgroup Rant and then discovered very shortly after that that we were expecting Bebe! A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to 41 was a very fun post to share!

May 2011: Ella and I continued our London adventures in blogging with London Calling with Three OntheGo Mums and then I pondered on video, later in the month, Is There Sex After Children? Apparently so in our case!

June 2011: The reality of pregnancy set in and I shared My Breastfeeding Dilema with the blogging community and received some amazing advice and support which pleased and surprised me a bit. I did continue to rant a bit in June but also flashed back to summers past with Flashback Friday Sunny Hunny in the Summer.

July 2011: More pregnancy blogging ensued with Labour & Delivery: My Choice where I stuck my foot in it again but did convey my wishes (which we are getting, by the way). And then I tried and succeeded at CRAFTING with Ella thanks to Red Ted Art with Discover & Do Chez Cafe Bebe. I was rather proud of that project, to tell you the truth!

August 2011: In August I looked back at The Beginning of my relationship with Mark…I love reliving those moments! And then I had a typical Mummy wobble with Worst Mummy of the Year. I can HAPPILY, nay, ECSTATICALLY report that as of 2 weeks ago, we are FINALLY pullup and potty free and Ella is now pooing like a rock star on the toilet ALL BY HERSELF! WOO HOO!

September 2011: I had an amazing opportunity through the blog and BritMums this month to SPEAK to Sarah Jessica Parker over the phone along with 4 other BritMums colleagues. She was AMAZING and lovely and it was a real highlight for me! I also managed to come up with a new mantra/catch phrase. “Step Away from the Laptop” was issued in Not Now Dear, I’m Blogging!

October 2011: In October we started planning for and thinking about Project Changing Rooms where we were switching rooms to give Ella a “Big Girl Room” and makeover what will be OUR master bedroom. Have a look at this video as I’ll be updating soon with the FINISHED PRODUCT, hopefully next week! A mere 3 weeks before we bring Bebe into the world! Gah! Finally, I wondered if I am insane to think that life won’t change much…I believe I may be!

And now we’re back to November. My birthday today, will be spent with Ella, Mark, an ouchie Bebe bump, my Dad and Stepmom and my Mother and Father in Law. We’re going out for (gluten-free) Fish & Chips tonight and as I type this, fairy cakes are being made in my honour. I’m trying to keep my feet up because my ankles have taken on a decidedly puffy appearance.

I’ve discovered by looking back over the last year, on Cafe Bebe, that I’m very good at ranting, complaining and mouthing off. I’m also fairly opinionated about blogging and the NHS. Ella continues to feature as the main topic on the blog and I have managed to capture her essence pretty well thanks to The Gallery, Silent Sunday and Saturday is Caption Day. I also have had some amazing blogging opportunities and perks. Year 40-41 in the life of MOI has been pretty damn good. Here’s to at least 41 more!