This one is for you x

Our son turns 1 next week and more than ever I find myself remembering the drive to the hospital with Sam on a cold November morning thinking this was our last drive as a twosome together. Nothing could have prepared us for how our lives were about to change, the challenges and overwhelming love we were about to experience. Our journey to get to Laith was long and difficult but it's all somehow blurred into a distant memory and we look at the cheeky little critter we have been blessed with in absolute wonder.

Each day he does something to make himself and us laugh out loud, he stumbles and falls and cries, he grasps things with a little more power and determination, he pushes our boundaries and tests us a little more and he brings so much joy and love into his grandparents lives. This little man in the making has turned our lives upside-down and for the better.

So on a day where my heart and thoughts are with my loved ones going through a difficult time (you know who you are and I love you girls) I find myself hoping that Laith will grow-up to be like you. Loving and devoted children, strong,brave, powerful and with such faith that you even stay smiling and positive through the adversity life throws in your way. I look at you both and it makes me want to have a sibling for Laith, so he is not alone not just through the hard times but seeing you share all your great and happy times together, filled with such love! You have built a life full of incredible memories and share a gift for loving life and seeing the good in everything. My friend and sister you inspire me as a mother, wife and human being. You both are admirable but most of all you are survivors. Your parents must look at you and be so incredibly proud of their success at raising such wonderful children and I pray that one day I can look back when I am old and grey (not far away!) at Laith with the same sentiment. 

God Bless you and give you strength now and always

x

Guilty pleasure.....

After weeks of dieting and working out, and finally fitting into some clothes which I was convinced would never see daylight again, I had promised myself a Eid blow-out...and boy did we totally blow out. I convinced myself that I would just have a veggie-pitta burger but then Sam said he felt like takeaway and that is how, by some magical power, my plate runeth over with BBQ ribs, fries, breaded shrooms and pizza. To think a year ago I would eat that as a starter and scream ' the baby wants it ! Its for the baby!'

Now I had no excuse, nor do I need one. I have to be honest, every single sinful bite was a heavenly mouthgasm. I am still staring at the burger half and few shroomies left wondering if I can actually go on (reminds me of Man vs Food) and out of principle I will because I know for the next month I am back on the wagon. So happy Eid to you my friends, loved ones and most of to my happy not-so-little belly.

Until next time x

Fishy in the water... My first attempt at swimming