Having had three babies in a relatively short space of time it was really important for me to get back into shape. I thought this was going to be a hard task so back in March I decided to set myself a fitness goal… I entered the Swindon Half Marathon.

Having not run for some time I was a bit daunted by the thought of training for the 13.1 miles of the half marathon, so I decided that it would be best to join the running club at my gym. The coaches showed me how to improve my technique, which involved completely changing my running style. Week-on-week my fitness improved and the baby weight started to come off. I found that I could fit my training in around the kids, usually running after they had gone to bed when Mark was home from work.

The day of the half marathon came and we set off for the starting point. I was really nervous as I had never run the whole distance and I knew the course was very hilly. Mark and the kids waved as I set off with 1500 other runners. It was really tough and I had to push myself to keep going, but the thought of my family cheering me at the end kept me going. As I turned the corner and got my first glimpse of the finish line I put on a final sprint so that the kids could see me finish in style, but as I crossed the line they were nowhere to be seen! I couldn’t believe they had missed it. I eventually found them nearby oblivious to the fact that they’d missed me – Mark thinks this was because Gracie fell over and he was giving her some tlc. I was really pleased to discover that I’d completed the course in a time of 1 hour and 52 minutes, but Alicia asked if I was a rubbish runner because lots of people had beaten me… it did make me laugh!

After three babies I’m not sure that my tummy muscles will ever fully recover, but one thing I know for sure is that running has made me fitter than I have ever been – and I enjoy spending time by myself pounding the streets!

On Saturday we attended the wedding of my second cousin Janette Whiteway. Once Alicia had recovered from the disappointment of being told that she wouldn’t be the bride she and Gracie were excited all week, and couldn’t wait to see the pretty dress and join in the celebrations. I love a good wedding and was looking forward to seeing my relations, but I was also in a slight panic about how to keep three small children quiet and well behaved through the church service and wedding breakfast!

On the morning of the wedding I decided to leave the children in their pyjamas until the very last minute to keep them clean and tidy. This was fine but meant that the half hour before we left for the church was hectic. We only just made it on time and must have looked such a sight running to the church just as the bride was arriving – it’s not easy to run in high heels whilst pushing a buggy and trying to keep dry from the rain!

The girls were brilliant during the service and were mesmerised by the proceedings. Sonny was fine for the first half of the service and thankfully kept quiet during the important parts. Unfortunately he soon realised that the church had an amazing echo and decided to screech very loudly, which he found hilarious. My supply of chocolate buttons (white chocolate so as not to stain their posh clothes) kept everyone happy and quiet for a short while but the screeching soon started up again. I decide to take Sonny outside the church so as not to spoil the ceremony for everyone else, I was relieved to find I wasn’t the only Mum waiting outside with a baby!

As we took our places for the wedding breakfast we found three boxes on the table decorated beautifully with the children’s names. They were jam packed with toys, games, colouring activities, play jewellery and other thoughtful trinkets. There was also a box for my sister’s four-month-old baby Jake. Each box had been individually packed with age appropriate toys. Alicia and Gracie were thrilled and the contents kept them entertained during the meal and speeches, which meant that we could enjoy ourselves!

The girls thought that the wedding was magical and have spent today parading around taking it in turns to hold each other’s dress as they walk down the aisle!

Alicia showing off her goodie bag at the wedding breakfast and Gracie happily eating ice cream:

 

We have just taken delivery of two amazing photographs of the children – one a group photo of the three Neilson kiddies and one of Sonny at six months. I found the most fantastic photographer who offered a ‘birth-to-one’ package for approximately £60. The package consists of three photo sessions with your baby: one when newborn, then again at six months and one year. At the end you receive a frame containing a photograph from each stage. The only requirement is that you view all the photographs after each session, with the opportunity to purchase extras. This bargain deal has now cost me quite a bit of money because the photographs are so fantastic that it would be criminal not to buy them – the children are small for such a short period of time that to have an everlasting record is priceless. I am absolutely over the moon with them and know that although I have spent more than I envisaged, I will never regret the purchases.

When we had Alicia, our first precious bundle, we chose some items which would provide everlasting records of the magical baby years, including:

• Her handprint (and ours) cast in clay and framed alongside each other. (www.imprints.org.uk).

• A limited edition name print commissioned from www.onefineday.co.uk.

• A ceramic plate to celebrate her christening signed by all who attended from www.allfiredup.co.uk.

• Her fingerprints cast in solid silver and made into the most stunning and individual cufflinks by my good friend Kirsten Goss www.kirstengoss.com. I always know when hubby has an important client meeting as he wears his special cufflinks for good luck.

The only problem is that because we now have three children, we felt that we had to do the same for all three. I am very aware that my younger sister has a bit of a complex over the fact that there are not as many pictures of her as a child as there are of me. I completely understand why – it’s not that you don’t love your subsequent babies as much as the first – it’s just that you don’t get the time to stop and record the memories. We have probably spent over £1000 on these everlasting memories but I have to say that they are worth every penny and I know that the items I have chosen will viewed, displayed and loved forever.

Some of our expensive keepsakes – well worth the price paid!

The weather is finally starting to turn and I definitely have a spring in my step – spring is here and summer won’t be far behind. It is so much easier, and cheaper, to have fun with the kids in the summer. Have a look at the video of the girls and a friend rolling about in the garden. I just love watching them have fun!

The girls and a friend having some cheap fun in the garden 

I have had an awful cold this week – if I was working in an office I would definitely have phoned in sick! On Tuesday I could have cried when I got up, I just didn’t know how I would make it through the day. To make matters worse, as I am still breast feeding the only cold relief I could take was paracetamol which hardly touched it. Poor Sonny and Gracie came down with it too.

At least I had a night out with Mark to look forward too – the babysitter was booked and we were off to a party on Friday night. We haven’t been out together for such a long time so I couldn’t wait. The theme was ‘hats and wigs’, I commandeered one of the girls’ fairy princess hats to be returned before they woke up – they wouldn’t even know it had gone, plus it saved me buying something new! I ended up going to the party on my own as Mark succumbed to the cold (flu of course) and said he was too ill to go out. I was so cross with him even though I know he couldn’t help being ill. We did manage to go out on the Saturday though – our company was a match day sponsor of our local football team, Swindon Town, so we took a table of family and friends for a day out at the football. We lost but it was still nice to get out and do something. I can’t wait until the girls and Sonny are old enough to enjoy the football.

The next morning I made the most of my Mothers Day lie in – such a treat and I certainly did not feel guilty about it! The girls made me cards and brought me flowers. We took my Mum and Dad out for Mother’s Day lunch. The restaurant was lovely and they even gave all the Mums a present and a glass of bubbly wine. The kids were angels, I took colouring and sticker books to keep them amused. Although there was no kids’ menu the restaurant did half portions for the girls, which made them feel really grown up.

When we got home Mark helped me put everyone into bed – such a lovely day!