For what seems like for ever now I have been in education in some way or another I did my GCSE’s went to six form for a year and hated it . It just wasn’t for me I felt like I wanted to be a ‘grown up’ but was still in a school environment. I then went on to college and did my BTEC in early childhood studies. College was the right option for me if only I had listened to my mom haha. I suppose in life you have to make decision for yourself to learn though . I had an amazing time at college made some friends who I…

Now I’m going to be completely honest up until we had Ava I wasn’t the biggest red meat-eater. I would more than happily eat beige dinners every night and not really care about if my body was getting any essential nutrients from it. I then fell pregnant with Ava and started to look at what I ate more as through pregnancy you need to make sure your eating as healthy as possible . Then we started baby led weaning so Ava was eating what we ate . If I’m honest this was probably the kick up the bum I needed . As I didn’t want Ava to be the picky…

Whenever you think about being pregnant you think about after 9 long months you will have a baby. What no one really tells you is in fact most of the time it’s  longer than 9 months. In fact many first time moms go overdue. With Ava I went overdue , I went as long as they would let me go and it still resulted in a c section because of one thing or another. Everyday you wake up and still no baby . It’s horrid, I know people may think what’s a few more days matter but the truth is when you have 9 months in your head. When those 9 months…

Ava’s at that age now where she is starting to test us . The simplest of things becomes a battle. Some days this can start as soon as she wakes up in the morning. I have always liked to give Ava choice be it with her  food, what’s on telly or what she is wearing that day . Well now it’s coming back and biting me on the bum . I now have a very independent strong-minded little girl . I can already hear people saying it’s because I’m a lazy parent Or that I have made a rod for my own back. The truth is I believe in freedom of…

I’m 27 weeks into this pregnancy now so I have been pregnant longer than I have left. Which is a nice feeling . At my 20 week scan they told me that my placenta was a little low . Nothing to be worried about but If it didn’t move then it would have to be another c-section . At this point my heart sank a little . I really don’t want a c section this time around. The main reason for not wanting a c section is because of Ava . I want to be able to do all the things I do with her now. I remember last time…

In collaboration with Emily J The Midlands is often left out of the debate between what’s better between the north and the south. However, whether you’re in the east or west midlands there are loads of things to be proud of and worth celebrating, so while northerners and southerners battle it out, the midlands will continue getting more and more awesome each and every day. If you find yourself in the middle of the “what’s better” debate, here are a few pointers that will leave your opponents speechless. U.S.A This pointer will work wonders if you’re debating an American. Let the U.S native know that it was a group of…

I think all to often you hear bad things about the NHS. Funding being cut, not enough beds for patients. Well last night I used 3 different parts of the NHS service and they were all fantastic. They made a horrid and scary situation less stressful and easier for me to deal with . The first NHS service we used last night was the 111 urgent and emergency care service. For those of you that haven’t used this service before I will tell you a little about it . Hospitals are busy so this is why I presume this service has come into action . You can give 111 a…

I know some of you will be reading this and think what ! It’s still the ‘summer’ but the thing is sorry to say Christmas will be here before you know it . I normally am one to be quite organised for Christmas but seen as I’m due December 5th I’m having to be that little bit more organised. The last thing I want to worry about is having to sort all that out . Plus it’s Ava’s birthday the 1st January so it can be a very expensive time for us . I have found spreading the cost over a longer period of time really helps . I have…

Recently you may have seen that I have completed and passed my dissertation with a 2.1 whoop whoop. Finding a subject for my dissertation really wasn’t that hard.I knew straight away I wanted to investigate the increase in funding hours. I wanted to understand it more from both a parents and a professional point of view. I have only gone and done it  submitted my dissertation!! Early as well !! Let’s just hope it passes guess how I’m celebrating by doing a mountain amount of ironing !! #student #parentstudent #earlyyears #dissertation #thankgoditsdone #pbloggers #pbloggersuk #beautiesandthebibs @staffsuni A post shared by Jessica Harvey (@beautiesandthebibs) on Jul 6, 2017 at 2:49am PDT

My biggest fear about having another baby is that Ava will feel pushed aside . I know she won’t even be two but for nearly two years she has been the centre of our lives . The first grandchild on my side of the family and showered with love from Jordan’s side of the family . So I’m making a conscious effort to make some small changes now that need to be made . So Ava doesn’t feel like it’s all baby’s fault. The first change we made was putting her in a big girl bed . Before I knew I was pregnant I wasn’t really in any rush to…

It’s been nearly a week now since we moved Ava from her cot to a big girl bed in her new room.We’re trying to do these little changes before baby arrives so she doesn’t  feel like baby is pushing her out. It took us a while to find a bed we liked . We already had a toddler bed mattress. So we knew we had to have a toddler bed. We also wanted a bed that wasn’t too high off the ground just incase she throw her self off it in the night. Then one day I had a sale email from Mothercare . Normally I stop myself from looking…

I haven’t really thought about how much Ava had grown up until today. It wasn’t because I was reminiscing back to when she was a baby . She has just done things today that made me think gosh you’re getting a big girl ! Turning into a toddler ! First of all as soon as we got up today and walked past the bathroom she saw the potty . Held her nappy and said pee !. She has been doing this for a while now but it’s normally at bath times not of her own accord . I’m so not ready yet to potty train a little one ! It…

Pregnancy scans are meant to be the best time. A time full of joy and happiness but I just cannot help but worry . I’m fine until 5-10 minutes before the scan then all of a sudden I get really nervous. I just start to think what if something is wrong , what are they going to tell me , is everything ok? You get that really cold gel rubbed across your belly. Which always makes me giggle as it makes a farting noise  as it comes out the tube. You then find yourself waiting for some kind of response from the person doing the scan . Which sometimes feels…

Since Ava was little i wanted to take Ava to the Sea Life centre . I personally think it’s one of those places you have to go to as a child . It’s like a right of passage into adulthood. We’re really lucky that we only live about half an hour away . So we jumped in the car and drove there .There are so many places to park near by that we knew finding a parking space wouldn’t be too much effort. In no time we arrived , I had pre ordered out tickets online and I also had a 50% off voucher from work . Meaning that the…

I bet a lot of parents are wondering what the hell to buy their children’s school teacher . Do you go with the safe chocolate and wine or do you get something personalised . It’s a complete mine field and the thought of the playground chit chat if you get wrong gifts can be too much to think about. I have worked in nurseries now for many a years and I have received a wide range of different presents . Mainly wine and chocolate which of course I appreciate but I don’t drink very often so the wine goes to different family members to enjoy . Over my years working…

So we haven’t yet brought anything for baby number two as we’re waiting on our 20 week scan . Which is only a few weeks away now !! It’s going so fast it’s untrue. Already I’m starting to feel a little sorry for this child . When I was pregnant with Ava I couldn’t wait to go out and buy things . All of it being brand new. This time around we are reusing a lot of Ava’s things. If we have thought about buying anything new it’s for Ava and baby is going to have her cast offs. My worry is if it’s a girl this will go on…

Heartburn I hate you . I suffered really badly with heartburn when I was pregnant with Ava and it’s rearing its ugly head again . Before having Ava I hadn’t experienced heartburn . I though it was one of those things people moaned about but it wasn’t really anything to moan about . Boy was I wrong its horrendous. Especially of a night-time for me . I would lie down in bed and it would just work its way up to my throat. Sometimes it even made me sick or stop me from sleeping. I thought I had gotten away with it this time but at 17 weeks pregnant it’s…

All I can think about when baby is with us is will I be able to cope . I have done a good job if I do say so myself of bringing Ava up so far. Will I be able to do it second time around at the same time of not neglecting Ava. Will I be okay being a mom of two By the way I’m not after a sympathetic response to this post. I just need to tell you all I’m shitting it . Just because I have a child already or have looked after a nursery full of children . Doesn’t mean I’m going to be any…