#sharedpatentalleave

[londondamsel]

Going out changes after having a baby. Last year I missed the beer festivals for the obvious reason of being pregnant, but I went again this year as Lizzie is enjoying the bottle more than the breast at the moment. Today was the first time since I went back on #maternityleave as a part of #sharedpatentalleave that I disregarded Lizzie's nap schedule and her growing dislike of napping in the pram (Oh why??) and took her across London to join her dad at Ealing Beer Festival. After all we can't always be held prisoners of the baby's nap schedule (well, I'll pay for that tomorrow when she wakes up at 5am again 😒). It's crazy how I wanted her to nap in her cot when she was a newborn and she only napped in the pram or on top of me and now I'd give an Aperol for her to nap in the pram at least once 😊 #channelmumvillage #chattycaptioncommunity #mumlife #mumlook #midweekshareandrewear #casualstyle #petiteootd #prettylittleiiinspo #happyeveryday #happyselves #prettylittlesquares #thelifestylecollective #momtribe #mom_hub #momentsofmine #momintheframe #momlifebelike #motherhoodunited #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodgoals #motherhoodthroughinstagram #lifeafterkids #wiw #everydayoutfit (at Walpole Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzym1vXBlBg/?igshid=bermqn5851wj

[londondamsel]

Sporting my mum uniform of jeans and a tee 😎 To be honest, it's probably what I'd wear the most anyway as comfort is king. I'm counting down the last few days at work before I'm back on maternity leave. #sharedpatentalleave And if I'm telling the truth, I'll be leaving work with mixed feelings. On the one hand I miss time with Lizzie, I hate having to pump, but on the other I really enjoy going to work too. I'm happy in my job, it makes me feel good and proud about what I've achieved in life so far, so going back to singing Humpty Dumpty a hundred times a day appears a bit daunting at the moment. I've never thought about describing myself as a career woman, but neither did I feel very motherly, guess I'm caught somewhere in between. So the time's come to swap the daily commute for walks around the park. #mummybloggeruk #mummylife #mummytribe #mummydiaries #mummystyle #motherhoodunited #motherhoodgoals #motherhoodthroughinstagram #motherhoodmoments #thelifestylecollective #thecaptionclub #chattycaptioncommunity #happyeveryday #happyselves #theuncoolclub #lifestyleblogger #londonblogger #petiteootd #simplelifehappylife #slowstyling #over30fashion #denimaddicted #mumootd #petitestyle https://www.instagram.com/p/BycayYqBuk5/?igshid=2ij7c74zlygx

[londondamsel]

All good things must come to an end and so #projectbabyandme by @abilourich finished yesterday. I managed to keep up about half way and then, as usual, I hit my Instagram burnout and just disappeared for a while. But as I've really enjoyed the prompts I'll see if I can finish the challenge in my own time 😊 After all, if being a mum has taught me anything, that's to pace yourself and do things when it suits you. After all forcing things to happen never works well with a little one. So, as the last prompt was #thankful here's what I'm thankful for. A happy, healthy baby who surprises me with her antics every day. I'm thankful that Ben's a very hands on dad. I'm thankful that we are able to do #sharedpatentalleave and Lizzie gets the best out of both of us. I'm thankful that I have a job I enjoy and that we have time for each other every day. I'm thankful for all mum friends I've met and made on this journey. There's so many things I'm thankful for and there's not enough space to name them all. #mummyblogger #mummybloggeruk #mummyandbaby #mummylife #mummydiaries #mummytribe #motherhoodunited #motherstodaughters #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodthroughinstagram #motherhoodmoments #momtribe #mom_hub #momswithcameras #babyphotography #channelmumvillage #chattycaptioncommunity #happyeveryday #happyselves #happymumhappybaby #lifestyleblogger #thelifestylecollective https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLB5fzhi9w/?igshid=vd6cf5fyfahs

[londondamsel]

Isn't it funny how you miss summer, so you can wear dresses and skirts and sandals and say goodbye to all those layers, but after a while you miss winter because you really want to layer-up... I felt similar being on maternity leave. I couldn't wait to swap my constant uniform of trainers and jeans for heels and skirts. And then I realised that while I'm still pumping breast milk and have to carry a giant backpack with me every day, that heels are the worst thing that I could inflict upon myself. So I'm still in jeans, but I swapped those trainers for professional flats. And guess what, I miss the trainers! So, I'm counting down these last two weeks before Ben and I swap again and I'm back home in my mum uniform. #sharedpatentalleave #mumuniform #mummybloggeruk #lifestyleblogger #stylejunkie #thelifestylecollective #chattycaptioncommunity #thestylecollective #stylediaries #wearitloveit #wearthisnext #slowstyling #reallifeandstyle #happyeveryday #happyselves #petiteootd #petiteblogger #petitestyle #ootdideas #denimaddicted #casualoutfits #asseenonme #styleblogger #londonstreetstyle #simpleootd #ootdnextdoor #passionforfashion #alwayscasual #30plusblogs #over30fashion https://www.instagram.com/p/ByIIP2-B8CK/?igshid=1q6kuqe52bw0l

[londondamsel]

FAVOURITE These two are my favourite people in the world. It sometimes feels like you couldn't love someone anymore than you already do and then a thing happens and there's a whole new lot of love spilling out of you. Ben's taken to being a father so well, but despite that he also wobbles, just like me. Mum's aren't the only ones who feel mum guilt and constantly wonder if we're enough and if were doing enough. Dads feel it too, even though they may not always say it. It's good to let them know that yes, they're enough and all their baby needs and that they're doing a great job! We're lucky enough to be able to do the #sharedpatentalleave so Ben's currently the primary care giver, but I think it must be difficult for a lot of dads out there, having to go to work and only spending limited time with their babies. Being a parent is tough but it's also the best time I've had. @abilourich #projectbabyandme #daddycuddles #fatherdaughter #fathersanddaughters #mummyblogger #mylifeinpictures #mummybloggeruk #thelifestylecollective #reallifeandstyle #happyeveryday #happyselves #momswithcameras #parenthood #parenthood_unveiled #thisisparenthood #parenthood_moments #prettysquares #curatedlife #curateyourownfeed #denimaddicted #familygoals #30plusblogs https://www.instagram.com/p/BxhziMfBNfC/?igshid=2pjw3bi6h9s8