Baby no. 2

I can't remember how old I was when I knew that I wanted to be a mother. I feel as though its just always something I knew I wanted and never questioned. I come from a family of three girls and I loved growing up with my sisters around me. 

Its never been an option for us to be a one child family and baby number two has been on my mind recently even though Indie is only 6 months. I feel like a crazy person for even writing this but I have been thinking a lot recently about when we will have another baby.

There is 6 years between me and my oldest sister and 4 years between me and my other sister but we have always been really tight knit. The three of us are literally best friends, we talk or text every single day, laugh together and cry together about everything. I'm so grateful for the bond we have and would love if my children had the same.

Before I had Indie, I always thought I'd leave a few years in between each of my babies so I could really focus on and give them my whole undivided attention, but there is a big part of me now that would like to have all my children fairly close together in age so they can grow up close.

I don't know why its been playing on my mind recently but I'm a planner and like to try and organise as much as I can, even though we've learned that babies definitely don't come according to your agenda. We waited 3 years for our Indie girl and it scares me to think it could take that long again for baby number 2 to arrive.

Even though I definitely want more children, I don't know if I'm fully ready to go through pregnancy and labour again. The trauma and memory of my experience still scares me and I don't know if I could handle it again, knowing what I'm in for. I also worry that I won't be physically able to love my next baby as much as I love Indie. That instant bond you have and the love you experience when you meet your baby is so overwhelming and deep that I seriously question if it can happen multiple times. I know a mothers love has no limits though and every mum I've spoken to have said that as soon as they had their second or third, the feeling was always the same and just as strong.

I don't think there is such a thing as the "perfect age gap" but will accept that when its time, its time. I'm excited to have more children and for our family to grow but for now I will savour and soak up every minute its just Indie & I.

Did you have your babies close together or did you wait a while? 

SLC x

Getting ready with baby!

Now that I'm a mum, I'm unable to enjoy the luxury of getting ready at my own leisure and often find myself rushing around trying to get myself together. I feel as though I'm finally getting to a point where I'm able to make myself look presentable without spending an hour in front of the mirror so thought I'd share my top tips on how to get yourself and baby ready in the mornings without it turning into a total nightmare.

First things first- get yourself organised the night before. I have found this to be the most helpful thing I do to make sure my mornings are plain sailing. I have a basic clothes rail from Ikea that I use to plan my outfits out a few days in advance. If I don't do this, I honestly end up wearing the same things all week which will typically be sweats and baggy tops. I know it sounds silly but when my outfit feels put together I feel better about myself and the days I get dressed are almost always more productive!

The products I now use since having Indie have changed too as I don't have the time to pamper myself so I like things that can give me the look I want quickly, with little effort. Here are my favourites:

- Lash extensions. I can't live without these now and am obsessed. The first time I had these done I wasn't impressed at all and hated them. They ripped out so many of my natural lashes and it took weeks for them to look how they were before. But the moral of the story is: do your research and find a good lash technician. The girl I go to now is amazing and my lash extensions stay on for a good 3.5 weeks before I need to go back and they feel like my own lashes but longer and thicker. I get silk lashes that are a "J curl" so they look a bit more natural as they're not too curled. This makes my makeup routine a lot quicker and even though makeup removal takes a little longer in the evenings because you have to be more careful, it makes me more gentle around my delicate eye area. 

- Tinted moisturiser/facial tan: This was something I NEVER used until recently and I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. I've not tried a lot of products seeing as though its not been long since I've added these to my routine, but the ones I have used I would definitely recommend. For facial tanner, I use the St Tropez Face Bronzing Lotion. It gives a really nice subtle, natural tan colour and doesn't smell bad. I use this a few times a week to make it last. For tinted moisturiser I use the Nars Tinted Moisturiser. I love their Sheer Glow foundation which is more build-able, but this tinted moisturiser is really lovely & lightweight and gives a good coverage. 

- NYX Butter Gloss is my go to for my lips on an everyday basis. These aren't sticky, feel really moisturising and last well but because they're a gloss, they give a really nice natural look. I have a few shades and you can guarantee there is always a couple of tubes somewhere in my changing bag.

I've never used a lot of products on Indie and I think thats the reason why she never has any problems with her skin. My number one product I use on her is the Burts Bees Face & Body wash which I use in her bath and I don't use any body creams, talcs or lotions on her once she's out. If she needs any cream when I'm changing her nappy then I use Bepantham, but again, she doesn't need that very often!

My morning routine is obviously based on Indie's and can change from day to day, but usually when she goes back to sleep after her first bottle, I use that time to jump in the shower and get ready. 

When Indie wakes up, I take her downstairs to play and give her some baby porridge before I get her dressed for the day as she gets it everywhere! Once she's dressed, we get our coats on and take the dog out for his morning walk and then go about our day depending on whats on the agenda.

Hope you've found these tips useful! 

Happy Wednesday!

SLC x

Indies blessing day

We had our little Indie girl blessed at church last Sunday which was so special for us as a family. 

Josh was really nervous about it for a number of reasons (the biggest incase she cried) and low and behold, she balled the whole way through. I had a feeling she was going to be a bit cranky as she was being a bit fussy while she was in my arms just before Josh took her so I told him to brace himself and be prepared to rock her as best as he could (all to no avail... poor Josh!)

Although she cried for those few minutes, it was such a special blessing. He was so calm and clear while he blessed her and I'll always remember what he said. There was such a sweet spirit during church for the whole morning and I don't think I've ever feel so lucky and content as I did that day. 

I took the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings with everyone that was there that morning and expressed my gratitude for the privilege it is to be a mother. Normally I choose not to talk about my religion on my blog or other social media platforms as I feel as though religion is such a personal topic, but to know me is to know that I have a deep love and need for God in my life. I truly feel so blessed to be living the life I do, with the people I love and now that we have our own baby girl to love and cherish forever, I feel even more blessed. Life with Indie in it is so much more than it was before. I never knew what love was until I held her in my arms for the first time. She makes me want to be the best version of myself and has taught me what it means to love another person with every fibre of your being. 

Having her in our lives is the greatest blessing we've ever received and I'm so thankful to know that she is ours forever.

Thank you so much to everyone who came to share her special day with us. 

We love you Indie girl.

SLC x


MY OUTFIT: Skirt // Top // Shoes (similar)
INDIES OUTFIT: (no longer available but from Mamas & Papas) 

21 days in

Jay Short Sleeve Chambray Shirt £45.00 // Jay Chambray Boy Shorts £35.00

Our beautiful baby girl is now 3 weeks old!

Bringing her into the world was one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced, but I'll save my birth story for another post (if I decide to write about it... I'm still undecided whether or not I want to yet... thoughts?)

But even though the labour was long and hard, it now seems like a breeze in comparison to the days that have followed her birth.

No one told me what having a baby was really like. No one warned me about all the tears that come from no where, the emotions and hormones that wash over you like a tidal wave, or how in love and obsessed you feel with your new baby. People told me how life changing it was, but no one really told me what it was ACTUALLY going to be like.

If you're like me and have just had a baby then I'm sure you'll be able to relate to this post, or if you're about to have a baby then I hope this helps and prepares you for whats to come. Obviously I'm no expert (hello... i've only been doing this for a few weeks. I know nothing, actually) but I can share what my experience has been like.

Its hard...

Really hard.

But so worth it. Yes, this stage is all give, give, give but as soon as your baby looks into your eyes or smirks in their sleep, your tears instantly dry up and you fall deeper in love with them. Indie is without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to Josh and I and we thank God everyday for her. I can't imagine life without her and don't know how we lived before she arrived. She is just perfect and I'm utterly obsessed with her.

BUT (and thats a big but) motherhood is no easy feat. Between feeling completely exhausted and totally malnourished (whats a meal?!), you find this inner strength to make it through the screaming episodes and explosive nappies that somehow end up all over you. 

All of a sudden your life is no longer your own. I'm ashamed to admit this but I used to roll my eyes so hard when I'd hear new mums talk about how they miss things like showering and getting ready at their leisure, or complain about how messy their houses were. I used to wonder how they couldn't find 10 minutes here and there to get dressed or wash up, but let me tell you... its IMPOSSIBLE to get anything done in these early days. I apologise to every single women I secretly judged who told me they couldn't do much with a newborn. I totally get it now. And I feel so silly for thinking I'd be able to juggle it all and have it together as soon as I brought her home. I honestly thought I'd be able to continue life as normal, only with a baby in my arms. What an idiot, right?

There are so many things I miss about life before a baby, but there are millions of things I can't wait for now that I have a baby. Life is so much richer and now all of a sudden I have so much to loose. She is our absolute world. 

So getting ready may be a thing of the past (showers and makeup are so overrated anyway!) but staying in my pyjamas all day and snuggling my sweet baby girl to sleep is my new gig and I'm loving it. Yes, its SO HARD and I cry most days because I feel so overwhelmed and under qualified, but she is everything I have ever wanted and more. 

So for you mamas-to-be out there, expect it to turn your world upside down, expect to cry every few hours, and GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK. Nothing worth having comes easy and babies are definitely here to prove that.

SLC x

*Thanks Wild Geese London for this gorgeous pyjama set. Wearing nice PJ's definitely makes not getting dressed that little bit more acceptable. Check out their website HERE. I can't wait for their AW16 to launch!