Criminal cuddling

I'll have to write this quickly, because the baby police will be here any minute to arrest me. My crimes? There are so many... my charge sheet will probably list the following: cuddling baby too often for too long; not putting the baby down when she's asleep; picking the baby up whenever she cries; picking the baby up when she's not crying; letting the baby get used to being carried when I'm doing housework - I could go on.

Why must I not let her 'get used' to being cuddled lots? I didn't have her to spend all my time 'teaching' her to be by herself, preferably quietly. I had her to spend all my time cuddling her. And I will carry on cuddling her, no matter how many well-intentioned people advise against it. My baby needs love and I need to give it to her!

A little shopping

I am just about to buy this gorgeous brooch from Big Blue Bed over at Folksy... just right for brightening up my very basic wardrobe for the summer.

Sleep deprivation

I didn't think I was that tired, or feeling the effects of nursing a month old baby around the clock too badly, until I bought the same turquoise vest top twice!

Today I am eating...

Chilli with bread and butter, yummy. And (rather too much) accidental tiffin. What is accidental tiffin? I made a recipe for something called sunshine bars, a delicious kind of rice crispie bar that also has oats and coconut and is (meant to be) held together with a treacly, buttery, sugary syrup. I made it with a supermarket treacle, not Tate & Lyle, and it didn't set. Was still quite yummy in a spoonable way! Anyway, I rescued it with half a packet of smashed up dark chocolate digestives and lots of melted milk chocolate. Even more delicious and incredibly moreish.

Bedtime

Every night at bedtime, baby has a cuddle with her brother and sister while I sing a lullaby to them. It's brilliant seeing her turn and relax into their bodies and sometimes even close her eyes and go to sleep.

She puts up with quite a lot of kissing, especially from big brother!

I hope they carry on loving each other like this as they grow up.

Baby's first quilts

My aunt has made baby's first quilts. She made a cot quilt, and then I cheekily asked if she had enough fabric left to make a smaller one for the stroller because it's so lovely. It's not that I don't like pink, because I love colours (like these reds and greens) that are less obviously girly.

The quilt is a simple pattern with appliqued hearts and blanket stitch quilting.

My mum and I love to make quilts, too. For a while it was a bit of a family obsession (with quilts being given away to anyone who would accept them, we made so many!) but recently mum has been knitting instead and I seem to fall asleep every time I get a spare minute.

Blogs I love #1

Having decided that I am officially on maternity leave from my bag making, I thought I might do a little dressmaking this summer instead - I can't remember when I last made a girly frock for The Girl Wonder or a flirty skirt for myself. To get myself in the mood and find some inspiration, I googled 'blog dressmaking' and found this quirky gem: A dress a day. I love the pattern stories but, even without the humour, I could spend hours just looking at the old patterns, like this one. The secret lives of dresses are fun, too.

Bargain hunting

Iwas so sick when I was pregnant that I am now a size smaller than I was before - so I need new clothes. Not much in the kitty, so I've been bargain hunting on eBay. I'm trying to bag some things from Monsoon and Fat Face, fingers crossed I get lucky. Here's my first bargain.

Warning - seriously cute photos...

So here she is, my latest (and last!) bundle of joy, with her adoring big sister and brother.

She's here!

My little bundle of joy finally arrived at Easter, all 9 pounds 6 ounces of her! (Apologies to those of you who understand kilograms - I'm afraid I still work imperial, whether it's babies or baking.) My 6 year old girl and 3 old boy have been kissing their new sister constantly since we arrived home, which is probably why she has her first cold at just over three weeks old, poor thing.

Labour and delivery were straightforward and fast and because I was so sick through the pregnancy, I am now a size smaller than I was - bonus!

Photos will be uploaded soon, I promise.