Parenting the Shand Princesses

I am writing this blog post to give an insight from a male partners point of view of seeing their partner suffer with Postnatal Depression. I am hoping partners and those suffering with Postnantal Depression feel they can talk about this more openly. It is not a taboo subject and there is so much support out there. Since the birth of our second child Zenayah I began to notice a change in Mics mood when it became hard for her to have that spark that she used to have. At first, she put it down to our living situation and I thought as soon as we move into our new home it will get better. But in the back of my mind I had a feeling it wasn't just the blues. Having two girls that want your attention 24 hours a day can take a lot out of the best of us, but what made me realise this more was how Mics hardly wanted to go out. Mics has always been outgoing like me and for her to act like this got me thinking this may be Postnatal Depression. I always try to give Mics an opportunity to have...

This week May-May reached 2 years old and I can't believe how far she has come with her development. She has got a cheeky personality and she dances to anything randomly. For her birthday we got a first words book. She has managed to recite most of the book by memory and whenever she sees any of the items, she shouts out the word.  For her birthday, me and Mics took her out for the day to Eureka Museum , which is a children’s museum that gives them a real-world experience. She absolutely loved it there! Her favourite room was the Sensory Section. It was a huge, dark room and the walls were an interactive magical kingdom. The floor was an interactive under the sea and when May-May stepped on certain areas, sensory eels would swim towards her feet. There was also a M&S store for children with plastic fruit and vegetables. I adored how she was pushing the trolley as if she was shopping. She then had a go with the cars as well, pretending to drive and making the e...

This week will make it 33 weeks of pregnancy and the closer the date gets, the more excited we get. I love the kicks and movements the baby makes and all I keep thinking is why can't it be January so we can meet her! When we had May May, we had a birth plan and as soon we got to the birth centre that went right out the window. This time around we will go into this thinking that whatever happens we will go with it. I have even been doing a lot more reading about babies and I still feel like I want to know more. We have also decided that we want a water birth this time around as this will help with the delivery of the baby. I just can’t wait for the day to come so I can hold her in my arms and see her beautiful eyes looking at me. Th is may be the second time but I still have those butterflies in my stomach, which makes me anxious about the birth. All I want is for Princess and Michaela to be happy and healthy for the labour with no complications. I. May May seems very ...

Last Sunday we had May Mays Christening which was so much fun and an absolute success. I haven’t been to a function like this before, not since I was a baby. May May had a really good time dancing and singing to the hymns in the church. But when the time came for the holy water to touch her, May May got a bit tearful, but we still managed to get it done. In that moment I couldn’t have been prouder, standing in front of all the witnesses and reading the declarations. It made me think about May Mays birth and how far we have come from then to now; having May May in my arms to seeing her welcomed into the house of God. Once we had completed the service, the next event was the reception. As soon as the music started, May May couldn’t not wait to start dancing. She took over the dance floor and she didn’t even care. Everyone at the venue couldn’t take their eyes off May May and it was like she was in a bubble where it was just her and the music. May May has always been a musical chil...

May May starts nursery this week and I'm so happy and proud that she is doing this because I think she is getting smarter by the day and she really enjoys being around other kids. It feels like only yesterday I had her in my arms looking up at me with her little brown eyes. She is growing so fast but I know this is the right time as it will help her development. For Easter this year I'm going to cook a roast for the family. May May seems to love my cooking and anytime I cook she finishes it in no time!  This last week she has had her last set of jabs from the doctors yaaay! She was such a brave girl! When the doctor said she had to have 4 jabs I nearly fainted!!!!  I have noticed she is trying so hard to talk and when she says "dada" it fills me with so much joy, I can't put into words. She is really turning into a daddy's girl which, if I might add, is absolutely mint! I'm itching to take her on days out and experiences that I have always wanted...

Exciting News! The Mummybou Chronicles blog is a favourite blogger over at MyBump2Baby ! MyBump2Baby is an "online directory of the baby/toddler and family world" You can find out what is going on in your local area, such as classes, pre-school groups, days out and more. Plus there is a great blog section full of bloggers!  When I started my blog, I just wanted somewhere to share my experiences on being a first time mum whilst juggling studying, planning a wedding and holidays. And when OJ wanted to share his views, I was extremely happy.  Now I'm featured on a great directory and I'm ecstatic. Knowing that someone thinks my blog is good enough is a great feeling and reassures any doubts I had about blogging. Happy Days!  Click here to download the free app. Find me under the Bloggers section and show me some ❤️ -x- Michaela - x-

Since my daughter has turned one it has been a task adapting to the changes in her body as she is experiencing teething for her back teeth. Night times have been hard as May-May struggles to settle at night and is so used to night breast feeds. This is the time i find it difficult as May-May just wants to be on mum most of the time when she is going through the pain. May-May generally is really bubbly and is interested in anything she gets her hands on. We have fun with her facial expressions and when tries to talk its so adorable. I feel a bit helpless as when i try to calm her down May-May d oesn't seem to want to respond and I would then have to give her back to her mum. My partner is so good with May-May and I can see there are times when she needs a break but never really gets the chance due to May-Mays clinginess. When i come home from work I try to help as much as I can by doing housework and cooking and cleaning but i still feel like I can't help as muc...