Friday, Friday...gotta get down on Friday!

It’s Friyay!

I think everyone loves Fridays! It is the end of the working week and the weekend is here!
So before I was a mummy, my favourite way to enjoy Friday was to just chill out at home after a day at work! I would sit on the couch and watch something. It usually was date night for me and hubby too. We would go have dinner somewhere and maybe catch a movie. It was wonderful!

But that was before our little boy came along! So our schedule has changed and I’m at home for the next 7 months or so! My Fridays look different. My favourite way to enjoy Friday is to do little photo shoots with my son. He was born on a Friday so we currently are doing weekly photo shoots.

We have these milestone blocks that I use in the photos and I worked out I can go up to 32 weeks. So I have 11 more weeks left of weekly photo shoots and then I will just do the monthly ones....which I also do on the 4th of every month. I’m going to miss doing them once he is past 32 weeks though so I may have to come up with some other way to enjoy my Fridays. I guess it could be the other thing we do currently...we to go to our local library for baby rhyme time. My son loves it and I get to get out of the house! At first it was just for me but now he totally gets in to it.  Here are the past 20 weeks. I’m yet to do today’s and I’m not sure what the theme will be...but enjoy and see how much he has grown in 20 weeks!

So what’s your favourite way to spend Fridays? What did you do today, if it is Friday when you read this? What makes it special? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you! 

Xoxo Maija

Growth

One way I would like to grow this year is by becoming less selfish and secretive. I often will keep snacks and things for myself and I would like to use this year to share more. I see it as a barrier in my relationship with my husband. I hide small things from him and want to be an open book with him. I think I hide these small things, like my plans for the day or a snack I’m about to eat, because I think he will laugh at or scold me. Which when I say that is ridiculous because I’m no longer a child.

And breathe...

Everyone gets stressed at times. Some are always wound up. But even the most chillaxed people get stressed at one point or another.
I am more towards the constant on edge kind of people. My mind is going constantly unless I’m asleep...and even then my subconscious is concocting dreams that are so bizarre they give me food for thought the next day!
So what is my favourite way to relax? Well I actually have a few ways. So I’m going to mention them here...

If I’m feeling stressed out and tense from a long day(s) at work I like to draw myself a bath (weird term...draw a bath.. lol), make it all bubbly and just breathe. I like this because being stuck in water for awhile I can’t do anything about my thoughts and the sensation of being surrounded by warm bubbly water distracts you and entices you to stay so long you begin to wrinkle.

If I’m super stressed and I’ve either got a lot of work to do (reports or marking) or I’ve jut done a heap of work I like to relax by getting a massage. Positive touch, dimmed rooms, gentle music and not being able to leave for at least half an hour is like the ingredients for the relaxation recipe.

My go to relaxer when I have no option but to get the work done but still need something to take the edge of stress off is to listen to music; either praise and worship or my favourites playlist.

So those are my favourite ways to relax. Comment your tips on staying relaxed!

Proud mumma

What I am most proud of currently is my son. My precious little baby is hitting milestone after milestone...and is so healthy! We have been having issues with his catnapping but after starting the save our sleep routine for his age group he is improving his day sleeps. God has greatly blessed us with him and I look forward to seeing him grow up and accomplish all that God has in store for him.

I now know what it feels like to be a mother and I’m thrilled with it! Regardless of the hard times and sacrifices you make having kids it is totally worth it!  Just look at his grin when he looks at me! Melts my heart every time!

A letter to my future self

Dear Future Maija,

Congratulations! You are a mum! Don’t forget how special that is! Past self (me) is enjoying caring for our son. Currently he is 1 month old! God has seriously blessed you! Go cuddle Joey now. Tell him you love him and That God loves him too. Motherhood is hard as you already probably know, but you are doing a great job and don’t give up.

If you’re not already you should be going  and doing some things for yourself. Light a candle, read a book, do one of your hobbies of sewing, baking or craft. Take some time to yourself!

Don’t forget your husband. Nathan needs your love and affection. You love him because he takes care of you, he loves your son and he is simply the best. So go and give him a hug and kiss him and tell him you love him.

 I hope the future is as good as it is at the moment but if it’s not do all the above and see how you go. Don’t forget God is always there for you. Pray and talk to him. God loves you.

Lots of love from your past self,

Maija

British Royal Family in Film

I like history. I like movies. I learn visually. Makes sense to learn about the history of the Royal family through film to me! 

Will and Kate: a modern day fairy tale (1 and 2)

The Queen 2006

Diana 2013

A Special Relationship 2010

The Iron Lady 2011

The Crown 2016

A royal night out 2015

Darkest Hour 2017

The King’s Speech 2010

The Four Feathers 2002

Mrs Brown 1997

Edward the Seventh 1975

The Young Victoria 2009

Lady Caroline Lamb 1972

Amazing Grace 2006

The Bounty 1984

The Duchess 2008

A Royal Affair 2012

Belle 2013

The Tale of Two Cities 1989

King of the Wind 1990

The First Churchill’s 1969

The Draughtsman’s Contract 1982

Charles II: The Power and the Passion 2003

The Devil’s Whore 2008

A Field in England 2013

Cromwell 1970

To Kill a King 2003

Elizabeth 1 2005

Elizabeth 1998

Elizabeth R 1971

The Virgin Queen 2005

Elizabeth: The Golden Age 2007

Lady Jane 1986

Gunpowder, Treason & Plot 2004

Young Bess 1953

The Other Boleyn Girl 2008

Anne of the Thousand Days 1969

The Tudors 2007-2010

Henry VIII 2003

Monarch 2000

Princes in the Tower 2005

The White Queen 2013

The Shadow of the Tower 1972

Tower of London 1962

Tower of London 1939

Richard III 1955

Henry V 1989

Richard the Second 1978

The Dark Avenger 1955

World without End 2012

Black Death 2010

Ironclad 2011

The Life and Death of King John 1984

Robin and Marian 1976

Robin Hood 2010

Robin Hood:Prince of Thieves 1991

The Adventures of Robin Hood 1938

Ivanhoe 1997

Richard the Lion-hearted 1992

The lion in Winter 2003

Becket 1964

The Devil’s Crown 1978

The Pillars of the Earth 2010

The Last Kingdom 2017

If Money didn't matter...

If money was no issue for me I would definitely have fewer worries.
I would be doing what I wanted to do instead of had to do. I would be free to follow my passions and dreams. But I feel that having money does keep you in check of your behaviour. It curbs you to work; to make things worthwhile.