Real Mums #05 – Budding Smiles

I started this feature to celebrate real mums. Mums come in all shapes and sizes but sometimes we can feel alone, we can feel as though we are the only ones struggling to keep on top of things. I want to lift the lid on motherhood so we can all feel a part of sisterhood, to feel proud about our own achievements and know that we are doing the best we can!

Without further a do let me hand over to Hannah!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I’m Hannah, I’m 28 and married to my wonderful husband Phil. We have a gorgeous son, Toby, who was born in July 2014 and we live a very village lifestyle with our cats, chickens and ducks in the East Midlands.

Describe a typical day in your life

Toby wakes up anytime between 4-6am, so I have a little snooze after the night shift and Phil has Toby until half 6 when he leaves for work. Between morning feeds and naps I’ll have a shower then the rest depends on whether I have the car or not. If not, Toby and I will play, listen to music and go for long walks around the village. If we have the car, we’ll go out with friends and either head to a local baby group followed by a cake and coffee at a café or we’ll gather at one of our houses and do our own baby sensory type session followed by, yup, coffee and cake for Mummies!
Toby has 2 short naps in the morning and one more in the afternoon but he’ll nap at home, in his pram on wrapped in the sling so I’m not stuck to a strict routine.

What is the best thing about being a mum?

Toby has silent reflux and the first three months of his life were truly the toughest times I’ve ever experienced. He was in so much pain and he’d just cry and cry every waking hour. The exhaustion I simply got used to, it was the feeling of being utterly useless to help him that broke me.

How has your body changed?

I’m actually the lightest I’ve ever been, but I’m not the slimmest simply because I’m not as fit now! I used to run several times a week, which I think helped me not put on much weight during pregnancy, but now I don’t have the time to exercise as much and so my belly is a lot more wobbly! At times I do feel insecure, I know I’m not overweight but I don’t look my best. Generally though I’m fine and my husband always tells me I’m beautiful.

Do you wear makeup? If so, what does your routine look like? 

Now, this is a big deal to me! I always said I’d still take care of myself after Toby arrived and to me, that involves makeup because I have rubbish skin! I use Benefit foundation and mascara so at the very least I always have that on, even if I don’t get to put it on until I’m a passenger in the car going 70mph on the A1! Benefit is expensive though, so I ask for Boots vouchers on birthdays and Christmas then save up all my points.

What’s in your handbag? 

Handbag?! Haha I don’t bother with anything other than my changing bag, so amongst Toby’s cloth nappies and wipes, Sophie La Giraffe, teething gel, muslins and bottles there’s my purse, phone, lip balm and generally a cereal bar for when I’ve forgotten to eat and a million scrunched up receipts!

What is your relationship with housework?

Lately things have been getting better, but when Toby was poorly I could barely keep on top of the dishes. On the bad weeks, my Mum will come and help me out and generally on the weekend Phil will spend time with Toby and I’ll blitz the housework. It’s so satisfying when it’s all done!

How do you relax?

I used to read, but books are a luxury of the past these days. I love music and I also have a Grey’s Anatomy obsession so that’s how I spend Toby’s morning nap times if I’m not blogging. Sometimes he stays at my parents’ overnight and Phil and I will go for a meal or just kick back with a glass of red wine and a movie.

What’s the best parenting advice you have ever been given?

People told me to accept help when it’s offered and it truly is necessary, especially with a poorly baby. Someone offers to cook for you, take it! They say they’ll take the baby for a walk, hand baby over and run yourself a bath!

For any new mums out there, what would you like to tell them?

I wish someone had told me about the emotional rollercoaster of it all, about how breastfeeding is emotional, as well as physical, that feeling guilty about literally everything is normal but not to let it become all you feel.

What makes you happy?

Toby’s smiles, date nights with my hubby, coffee (mocha latte if you’re ever popping in!)

And finally, complete this sentence:

I am a great mum because…..  I love Toby and through the toughest of times I’ve never felt anything but love for him. I’ve also had to make some difficult choices, such as stopping breastfeeding after 4 months, but it was to stop the PND that was creeping up so I think I’m a good Mum because I choose to do what’s best for Toby even if it’s hard for me.

Thank you so much Hannah, this was so lovely to read. Now, I have met you in real life and I do not think you have a wobbly tummy at all! Your husband is right, you are beautiful- start believing it!!

I can remember tweeting you about reflux in the early days, it is a truly awful thing to have to see your baby suffer that way- hopefully Toby is getting over it now though, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

If you want to find out more about Hannah and her world, pop over to her blog Budding Smiles.

She is also on Twitter and Facebook so go say hi!