Party Mama

Welcome, I'm joining in with The Ultimate Blog Party 2011!

This is me:

Hello. I'm Meg, a.k.a. The London Mama - original title huh! I live in London, UK and am Mama to Charlie, my 11 month old son. Here's my boys:

My fiance Tom and the baby this blog is all about, Charlie. A.K.A C-bear, Charlito and Little Guy.

So I started this blog in 2009 as The Battersea Booklover, at the time T and I were living in Battersea (just south of the river, famous for Battersea Dogs Home, Power Station and Park) and I worked for a bookseller. I still do work for that same bookseller (had nine blissful months maternity leave and went back this Jan), but we moved to Crystal Palace (South London, famous for the Crystal Palace - a Victorian exhibition palace that burnt down) when C-bear was on the way. If you're a Mummy, you'll know that being a Mama changes you and I no longer felt like the Battersea Booklover, so I changed the name to reflect who I am now, a Mama bringing up her little man in London.

I haven't pushed my blog out there, it started off as a private place to put down my thoughts and then somewhere for me to record Charlie as he grows but the more I read other peoples blogs - and there's so many great Mama blogs out there (hello, if you have one leave me a comment, I'd love to meet you) the more I want to get involved. The more I want to meet new people and swap tips on bringing up babies and having some fun on the way.

So I write about all the little things we're doing, I'm a busy working Mum, I don't get to write every day, but usually a couple of times a week at least. I love taking photos - just snaps on my trusty digital camera - I don't think it's a good post without at least one photo to illustrate! I also throw in the odd book review, I love to read, anything and everything, and would love to hear your book recommendations as well.

So in a nutshell that's me. I hope you enjoy my little blog, please look around, if you like what you see become a follower (purleease) and I hope to swap blog tips with you soon!

xxx

Pilates

Since C-bear was about 3 months old I've had terrible back pain at night. It only happens when I've been lying down for a few hours but it's really annoying and constantly wakes me up. The doctor couldn't do anything and said it was to do with weak pregnant bones and I'd grow out of it within 10 months. But a friend recommended pilates, so I've joined a 6 week course and it's fantastic. My back feels so much better after just one hour a week! Plus it gets me out of the house for an evening leaving my boys to bond.

Getting bigger

I can't believe Charlie is almost eleven months old! His new cousin is due any time now and it makes me remember those first few days with our little man. Lots of the blogs I read keep a monthly record of their baby's growing, I particulaly like Parker's on A Good Life. I wish I'd thought to do something like that with Charlie, so instead I've put together a month by month photo frame instead. The pictures don't match but I like the way they show a snapshot of what he was doing (I've cheated and put two from March so they fit nicely in the grid).

A Friday Picnic

Charlie and I had visitors on Friday, my cousins. We took them to The Horniman Museum and had a picnic in the gardens. It was lovely, the first day this year that we could wear T-shirts. We had super healthy Vegan and Vegetarian food and Charlie was a little darling. He was so happy and loved being cooed over. We then looked round the museum and came home via the baby play park.

First shoes

We bought Charlie his first pair of proper shoes yesterday. Now that he's crawling and cruising and as the weather's getting warmer I thought it would be a good idea to get him shod. I fell in love with these little shoes in Mothercare, we also got a slightly bigger pair of high tops, but for now it's tractors.

He's not sure about them yet and doesn't like walking with them on, but I'm sure we'll get there!

Fill in the Blanks Friday

Thanks to Lauren at The Little Things We Do.

1. My most prized possession is my special books shelf. Working in the book industry is not without it's perks and I've got a beautiful shelf filled with signed hardbacks and special editions.

2. If I could be one age for the rest of my life, I would want to be 23. I'd just had a fabulous time at uni and was beginning my new life in London. Exploring the city in the day, going out at night and making new friends at work was a whole load of fun.

3. The best way to spend a weekend (in the summer) is to have a picnic in the park with all your friends.

4. My outlook on life is that the cup is always half filled. Sure things can be tough but there's always something to make you smile.

5. If you want to annoy me be selfish whilst using public transport. I can't stand people who don't move up or put their bags on the seat next to them when the bus/train is filling up. I hate the pushing commuters in the morning and can't stand people who won't give up their seat to elderly or pregnant people... I can go on and on.

6. I am completely defenseless when it comes to buying things for my baby son. I'm pretty good at saying no to ludicrously expensive things, but if I spot a bargain I just have to have it.

7. When dressing for the day one should put on whatever fits! My wardrobe is v limited at the moment, I'm not back to my pre-pregnancy weight but don't want to buy too much because there's still a hope that I'll make it back!

Spring

Spring is well and truly here, will try and get blossom pics today! I love having the sunshine back, it reminds me of this time last year when I was massive and then the whole of the summer when I was with my beautiful newborn.

Last weekend T took C-bear to the park so I could have some time to practise making a 1st birthday cake, I want it to be perfect so thought a trial run was a good idea. It was so sunny we had to find C-bear a sun hat, I looked in my drawer of unworn clothes - too big hand-me-downs, bundles bought on net-mums and brand new bargains I just HAD to buy at the time - and found a little green cap - perfect for a sunny day. I think it came from half cousins once removed Felix and Otto. It was a perfect fit and T immediately found his Daddy version, so my boys were matching on their walk!

And the cake? It was a success, orange and chocolate marble cake shaped like a hedgehog and covered in Cadbury button spines! We took it with us to a family day on Sunday and it went down v well!

Click Clack Dino

Nana bought C-bear a click-clack dino last week. It's v sweet - wooden toy with wheels and a pull along string. C already loves it and quickly learnt to pull it towards him. I can't wait for him to be toddling around and pulling his dino friend!

I took this little film of him, he had been pulling it all day and this was the only time he fell over - obviously excited to be on film!

Toothy

I haven't got a picture yet, but the tip of Charlie's first tooth has finally come through. 10 months, 3 days old :)

Back to work make-up

Going back to work I faced a challenge, the challenge being how to prove that I could still do my job whilst only being in the office 4 days a week and looking after baby before and after the working day. I wanted to look like a supermum, women do this all the time, and I wanted to prove to myself as well as everyone else that I could juggle a full-time job role with being a Mum and giving C-bear the best childhood I can. Soooooo how does this link to make-up? Well two little items that have become a staple of my make-up bag lets me look my best when I've been up all night with a teething little guy.

No. 1 - Garnier Eye Roll-on. I used to always use run of the mill concealer under my eyes, but was given this for Christmas and it's amazing. Thicker then normal concealer a little dab of this under each eye and those tired old rings disappear for the rest of the day!

No. 2 - Girl Meets Pearl - I love this, it's a sparkly foundation that goes on top of the rest of your make up to make skin look healthy. I use a stripe on my cheek bones and keep getting compliments on how healthy I look.

They might seem little things but it's the little things that get me confidently through the day!