Dialogue with my son :: The solution seeker ::

Making sense of it all when you are 3... 

Maman, can I give a toy to Leo? Mon cheri, it is really nice of you to want to share but you know we can't, he is in the sky with the stars and the moon. Oh that's not a problem, we will build a ladder that goes up to the sky, and we will be able to give him new toys. 

And could you buy a new Leo? Euh, no, there is only one Leo and you know that although we think about him all the time, he is not with us physically. Do you miss Leo? Yes I do ... So could you buy a new baby? Mon cheri, you remember that I did not buy Leo, I was pregnant, I was huge, do you remember when I was really big? Hmm, yes, but I really think I would like a baby boy right now. And if it is a girl. No thanks, I just want a baby boy, pleeeassse. 

I took these pictures this Sunday - we had snow for one day. And well, his face says it all. He is wearing his acorn hat, as he does everyday. 

Bilingual :: Family ::

Raising bilingual kids is quite an important part of our life - and yet I hardly talk about it here. I am not sure it is the place for it, but I thought I would share some pictures of our Easter Sunday and raising bilingual kids is the reason why we ended up at Hatfield House. I found that there was a French market - a French market for Baby MiH is an opportunity to speak... French. 

And he did. He bought cheese, bread and saucisson (don't judge the French-ness of our shopping) and paid for it as well. It was exciting for him to practice with new people, and some of the market stall holders totally played the game. 

Just to clarify we speak only speak French to him (we had French TV installed as well), and with his grand-parents. He speaks English at nursery and with his friends. I know some of you are also raising bilingual children, how have you decided to do it?

Of course, you will have seen that Baby MiH has acquired Bough. He probably wears it better than I do - although it is weird to think that a 2 year old can wear beanie hats knitted for me. At least my hand knitted beanies get worn more? 

I hope you had a great Easter weekend!

#travellingwiththekids

I am finally recovering from our week away with both kids - and Little Baby MiH first flight. It was a much needed break, and spending some time with my whole family. Mr MiH and I were very (very) lucky and skied every day and so did Baby MiH who went to ski school this year! He can certainly go down the hill - but cannot stop yet - yes, it is an issue, just not as far as he is concerned. 

We go to the same resort every year (Serre-Chevalier). When I was younger, I thought that this was the most boring ever, when there are so many resorts to try. Now that I have kids, I love that everything is familiar, I know where to rent skis, the pushchair, the sledge and the route to the resort.. I am all about the routine, and at the end of the day there is so much excitement a girl can take after a flight with 2 kids. 

The weather was fairly good - but as time on our own is SO precious, it did not matter. We went skiing every day, and if the weather was bad we made the most of our lunch en tête a tête, and spend quality time together. There is no way I am wasting a babysitting offer. Time as a couple has become scarce, and therefore important. 

The flights were ok. It was a dream on the way there, I should have done better... The way back was a bit more challenging, starting by the baby being sick of me before we boarded the plane, and a serious case of ear popping. By the time we landed, The wonderful woman who invited us to take the 'special assistance' passport lane (ie avoiding 20 minutes of queue) literally saved my life. Gatwick airport clearly have a family friendly policy, and has been a wonderful experience (if you are based in the UK and a choice). 

We are back. I will be back on the blog. I have a few projects that are finished, and need posting, and few others in the works to share soon. I intend to be around more frequently now. 

One week

I wrote a post when Baby MiH was born - just to record how I felt. And with Thanksgiving being celebrated I thought I could give you an insight on how I feel about having 2 kids - when you never expected to have any. 

I never thought I was going to have a second baby. In fact I was so adamant I was not going to have another baby that I got rid of baby clothes, steriliser, bottles. I was lucky that the prams I have can still be used by Baby MiH, otherwise they too would have gone.

But Little Baby MiH is such an obvious addition to our family. Of course we have been talking about him for 5 months now. Baby MiH knew his name and had to include him in everything he was doing with me. When Little Baby MiH came he was so excited, everything in his world revolves around what Little Baby MiH does now. Look at that smile, it is genuine, he was desperate for a brother. I had an inkling, but I had no idea how much he was actually yearning for one. Good thing too because they will have to share everything! 

Little Baby MiH completes our family - to the point that he totally slotted in our routine. He is awake to say bye to Baby MiH when he leaves for nursery, he sleeps when we eat with Baby MiH so we can focus on that (we need to) and awakes usually for bath and reading times - as if he just knew. 

I don't think I could be more grateful today. All my fears were unfounded - and I should have trusted that we were meant to be a family of 4. I cannot wait to see how the boys relationship develops and how we grow as a family and individually. 

And, as it is a time to be grateful, I am SO grateful to have met so many people through the blog that inspire me and find my blog interesting. 

Anyway normal activity real resumes and of course the MiH boys will appear soon with some new crafty projects. 

Green tourists | Thorpe Forest

I love these pictures - it was a great weekend away, the last one as a family of three - although we are talking so much of the imminent birth of Litlle Baby MiH that a little someone must be wondering whether there is actually someone in his Mummy's tummy or whether I just ate all the pies. 

Also we had great weather, which is always surprising when we go away in October. And because there was something for everyone - although my being on a bike at 8-month pregnant was definitely more for keeping Baby MiH happy, and for Mr MiH to have a laugh, than my own comfort. 

It is also the first time we went to stay in an Eco lodge, something I was really keen on - Mr MiH requested a tree house (still 8-month pregnant, I am not sure he is grasping the concept) - I found a luxury lodge, on one floor, in the middle of the forest - and after some family negotiating on dates (what do you mean you are running a 10K and we cannot do anything before because you need to train?), we booked our long weekend away in Norfolk with Forest Holidays. 

Baby MiH may have stolen a few stones in the process.. Sorry... 

Baby MiH did love the bike despite his scrunched up face.. 

We felt restored - every so often we need to get away as a family (ie not in France) and spend some quality together (ie not with our parents, no matter how helpful babysitters they are). 

Although I would definitely go back, it will never be in summer. The whole lodge is designed around you being part of the forest - ie massive windows, ie a lot of light in the morning (and no black out curtains) and maybe a sauna effect in the summer. But it is great in the Autumn as you can enjoy the beautiful colours at your doorstep. 

The Pink Ethical Tova | A Finish {Dressmaking}

I finished the pink Tova more than a month ago - but I was waiting for the pictures from our family photoshoot to arrive to share the result with you. There are a few more pictures in this post than the usual but if you have a very talented photographer taking pics - you want to make the most of it. 

You may notice that this Tova is pink - and I hate wearing pink. I am going to put it down to being pregnant and wanted something new. The (very loose) inspiration for this top is this shirt pinned on my style board on Pinterest. 

The Tova pattern is a great maternity wear pattern if you modify it slightly. All the modifications were explained here; I added another couple of inches at the bottom for more comfort (I was 7 months + pregnant at the time of the pictures).  

The embroidery pattern was larger to start with - but when I started cross-stitching it looked really weird, so I halved my pattern. I have it down somewhere if anyone is interested. It is not that complicated - except that I was for the whole time worried the two sides would not match. 

Of course I used the waste canvas method - I did say yesterday that I was cross-stitching everything! 

The fabric is my first purchase from the Offset Warehouse - an online fabric shop that stocks a wide range of ethical fabrics, trims, haberdashery and paints - and is based in the UK. 

I wanted a lightweight fabric and found this pink handwoven chambray (at £7/m it is quite good value as well). It was great to work with, and it is lovely to wear. The only thing is that I tend to wear this Tova a lot - and because it is hand woven, the weave is not as tight as for other fabrics - and it shows at the underarm seams. But it is not major. 

If you would like to buy ethical fabrics in the UK - this is a great place to start - for dressmaking of course.. 

I am so please with both the shirt and the pictures! My friend Debs Ivelja is a great photographer (worth checking out her website/facebook page). And you get a little snippet of where we live too! 

Also did you read Mr X Stitch post on Le Challenge this month - and his views on arts vs craft, even if you don't want to join Le Challenge it is worth a read. The theme this month is x and the winner will win a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop and your choice of 25 close ended zips from Rickety Rose Crafts! 

PS: I love Baby MiH top, it is ethically made by Tootsa McGinty. 

Off we are..

It is that time of the year again. We are off for 10 days for a much needed break. We will be going to Brittany again this year (the picture is from last summer). There may be updates scheduled and unscheduled on the blog - or not, depending on how it all goes. 

I am more likely to be on Facebook and twitter whilst I am away - and hope to post a few pictures ... 

Memories are made of this...

 

 

Pictures were all taken from my Iphone, most were edited on Instagram.

And this closes one week of sunshine in Serre-Chevalier (France) with my favourite people.

Bits + Pieces {Baby MiH Room}

Part of the nursery with the new stencilled roller blind (our Saturday night DIY project) / Stencilled Rabbit / Finished Moses basket bumper and the softest rabbit ever / Securing the bumper to the Moses basket / Little owl family bought on Ebay / Finished knitted baby blanket

I am feeling a bit happier with Baby MiH's room. Still loads should be done, but at least he can sleep somewhere..