To Think I Ever Worried...

... that my heart was already stretched to capacity with love for Nahla. So how could I possibly have room in there to love another baby in the same way?! Take it from the newly enlightened: Hearts grow. Clearly. Because mine has doubled in size in just three little months. That is the power of love.

Birthday Party Planning

Despite the fact that her 4th birthday is still 3 1/2 months away - and even writing this I feel like crying. I mean; how can my baby girl be nearly 4 - Nahla has already started to make plans for her upcoming party. Now; in the true spirit of any 3 1/2 year old party-girl, these plans are subject to change on a daily basis. If not even more frequently. Currently she is all about a circus themed bash. Which, to be fair, could be pretty darn cool. I mean; stripes, blue and red, animals, clowns and so on and so forth. But coming across these über-cute pictures of little Stella MsDermott (the very hip and happening daughter of Tori Spelling and hubbie Dean McDermott, off course), I am thinking a fairy-themed party isn't looking too shabby either. I LOVE the "paint-your-own-flower-pot" activity! And as for the candy bar?! Yes, please!

(All photos: Daily Mail)

Baby Friendly Fashion

It's official: Autumn is here! My calendar (I still use an old-fashioned filofax-y kind as I NEED to physically write things down to remember them!) says September. The evenings are most definitively getting shorter and darker. And even though the last few days have been filled with glorious sunshine, the mornings have most definitively been of the sharp crisp September kind. Do I mind it? Not in the slightest! Now; I know this could have something to do with the fact that babes and I (plus the entire Norwegian side of my family) is heading off to Palma de Mallorca in just 15 short days, and my summer will be somewhat extended. But also; I LOVE autumn. I would nearly go as far as saying it is my absolute favorite season. 

I mean; those days when the air feels like toothpaste it is so fresh. The colour of the trees. The leaves on the ground. Cup after cup of chai latte. Stocking up on fresh produce at the farmer's market. Knitwear. Wellies. Rain on my window. I LOVE it all. Autumn always feel like a fresh start. Like a mini New Years. Even now; years after I finished both school and college, there is something so fresh and new about this very season. 

I LOVE how you once again get to snuggle up in coats, hats and scarves. And how the shops are filled with gorgeous knitwear, lovely boots and sharply tailored coats. This year, being on maternity leave and therefor knee-deep in blustery walks pushing a pram, mornings where I barely have time to run through the shower while L screams his head off on the bathroom floor and in constant danger of being pee-ed, puked and snot-ed on, my style choices will have to reflect this hectic and no-time-for-fashion phase of my life. 

And so I plan on a simple approach. Jeans will - as always - be my staple. A few pairs of skinny jeans in different shades of blue will form the backbone of my maternity leave wardrobe. As will my ever growing collection of American Vintage long-sleeved tee's, so perfect for layering over each other or under a chunkier knit. I already live in my white Converse and will consider investing in a navy pair as well. My Hunter wellies will no doubt be needed as the weather worsens throughout October and November. Comfort will be key. The ability to throw things on in the morning, knowing that most items will work together, is of essence - all mothers will nod in reckognition with this, no doubt. 

Having previously visited the amazing city of Palma, I know that the shopping rocks, and so I will be on the look-out for items like fine knits and a black trench-coat. I am seriously thinking about investing in a Burberry one, knowing it would live in my wardrobe forever after. A few shirts is a must too, maybe one with a print and also a plain denim one to pair with other items in my wardrobe. 

The bottom line is that fashion may be fashion and you may love it with all your might - and if you are anything like me, you do. But at the end of the day taking care of a baby leaves little time for tottering about in heels, or wearing stuff that cannot be thrown in the washing machine should you need to. And you will. Clothes will need to meet in the middle of practical and stylish. And it can be done, believe me. And this is how I plan to bridge the two. 

Happy shopping!

The Difference 5 Months Make

Having children will make you realize just how quickly time goes by. Trust me; scary stuff. On the left: Luca 7 months old inside my (HUGE) belly. On the right: My little love has already lived and breathed 3 whole months on the outside of my body. Somebody slow down time!

Today's Yummy Mummy Style Crush

The always stunning Gisele Bunchen was snapped out and about with her children and step-son in Boston over the Labour Day weekend. A fresh-faced Gisele was seen doting on gorgeous daughter Vivian Lake, while sons Benjamin and Jack played nearby. 

And trust the world's best paid super-model to be impeccably dressed for the outing. Grey skinny jeans and a pink cashmere sweater, combined with glowing and make-up free face, the 33-year old beauty could not look more content, relaxed and happy if she had tried. Utter mommy style-inspiration in other words!

(Photo Credit: Daily Mail)

My Best Friend

If someone had told me that going from 1 to 2 babies would be more challenging than going from 0 to 1, I might have not believed it. I mean; Baby No. 1 turns your life upside down - in ways you pre-motherhood could have never imagined. But then; when Baby No. 2 makes his or hers arrival, you'll find that why you are utterly in love with your new little bundle, your mind will also still be firmly fixed on No. 1 - who, up until that very moment - has been the single most amazing and important thing in your life.

It is a struggle to make family-life work. And to balance time and cuddles between two babes, so that no-one is missing out, requires some serious juggling. 

Milestone Baby Cards...

... is a godsend if you are anything like me and suffer from constant guilt over the baby-books that you never quite get around to updating. Like; I see the books - especially Nahla's as it has been sitting on the shelf longer - and mentally list all the things I MUST remember to write down in it. Like: What were her first words, really. When did she stop wearing diapers. How much did she weigh at her 1-year check-up. What did she look like when she started play-school. And so on and so guilty.

And then I came across these adorable clever little cards on Instagram: Milestone Cards. And to all you other guilt-tripped mamas out there: Here is the quick - and mega-cute - solution to your - and my - problem. Because even if you are far too sleep deprived/stressed out/time-starved to manage to sit down and write down all the milestones your little cherub passes in the babybook, sure we can all manage to stick a card next to the baby, wip out our iPhones and capture the Kodak moment right then and there. Easy Peasy. Now my only heartache is that I did not order there pre Baby Luca's arrival, because sure he has already whizzed past the "Today I am 1 week/1 month/First Smile milestones - and no card was there to capture the moment.

But that is all about to change. Watch out baby-book; there is another moment-catcher on the block!

World Breastfeeding Week

This week - as I just discovered on Pinterest of all places - is official World Breastfeeding Week. And being knee-deep in leaking boobs and sore nipples as we speak, I figured it was an interesting topic to touch upon.

I have - and have had since baby no. 1 - an ambivalent relationship with breastfeeding. I KNOW that in terms of both mummy and baby's health, breast is best. I know it is by far the cheaper option. And my God; at 3.30 a.m. I am even more happy about my perseverance to breastfeed, because I get to stay in bed and just latch little L on - as opposed to getting out from my very warm and comfortable duvet and having to tip-toe downstair to heat a bottle.

But trust me, it has not been an easy ride. Not with Nahla, and in no way more so with little L. We are talking blood, sweat and tears. By the bucket-load. Nipple-shields. Every nipple-protection and treatment cream on the market. Ice-packs. Cabbage leaves. Sea-shells (I swear; old wives tale!). With Nahla I had mastites twice - an experience I wouldn't even wish on someone I really can't stand, that's how sore it was.

After Nahla finished breastfeeding at about 8 months; I must admit I breathed a sigh of relief. And all through my pregnancy this time I kept having internal debates on whether I would do it all again. Because much as I in a way loved the intimacy and cuddle-time; it really did not come as easy for me as it seem to do for some. But then a newborn Luca as put on my chest. All naked and new and vulnerable. And suddenly that mother-instinct of wanting to provide your baby with the best, healthiest and most amazing food there is kicked in. Food that is tailor-made for just your baby. Full of vitamins and good fat and anti-bodies and everything a newborn needs. And just like that I found myself back there again. Tears and bloody nipples and breast-pads.

And here we are, nearly 9 weeks down the line. The first 6 were - in terms of feeding - horrific. I cried my way through feeds. I worried and fretted and struggled. And have had to do what I also did all the way with Nahla: Give bottles alongside my boobs. Which is fine. It makes life a little easier. It means Luca is still getting my breastmilk, he is just being topped up with formula when I don't have enough myself. It means I stress less and it gives my clearly overly sensitive boobs a little rest. And now I find myself enjoying our feeds. I love the nearness of it all. The skin on skin. In fact; I find myself looking down on his little face and trying to force myself to remember these moments. Which I know I tried to with Nahla too.

My point is: Try breastfeeding. Don't give up when you can't get it right to begin with. It will hurt. But it does get better. Ask for help - and don't delay doing so. Carve out time for feeds - because breastfeeding is time-consuming. Delegate the house-work and other chores for the first few weeks or even months. Try to remember why you are doing it. Know the immense favor you are doing your baby. Don't be afraid to sneak in a bottle of two for feeds throughout the day - it is not a defeat, it is simply being clever. And most importantly: Don't beat yourself up if you can't get it right and find yourself unable to breastfeed. Babies grow up all over the world on formula - and they are perfectly fine and healthy and great. A mum who is relaxed and confident and happy is the most important thing you can do for your baby, far more important than whether their milk comes from a boob or a bottle.

Here's to healthy happy babies and healthy happy mums!

2 Months Today...

... and already such an AWSOME little person! Around here we struggle to remember what we did with all our time before Luca made his arrival. Well; this mama does anyway. Writing 7-8 articles a week suddenly seems like nothing but a vague memory... Happy 2-month birthday, little munchkin!

Famous Mums On Instagram

Ok, so I am slightly obsessed with Instagram. More than a little in fact. I mean; what's not to love?! We are talking Twitter - but with images. Which we all know are far more interesting than words. Especially when it comes to my latest obsession: Celebrity mommies on Instagram! How amaze is this?! A total sneak-peak into the fabulous lives of some of the world's coolest and most stylish mums. We are talking nursery decor, baby-snaps, holiday-photos and you know; what they wore, ate and saw. LOVE.

Here are some of my absolute favorites:

Jools Oliver (@joolsoliver), mum of four and gorgeous wife of Jamie Oliver, shares pictures of her adorable brood (Poppy, Daisy, Petal and Buddy), her hubbies delectable meals and their amazing homes in London and Essex.

Super-model mama Alessandra Ambrosio (@alessandraambrosio) - of Victoria's Secret fame, lets followers in on her fabulous life. Including snaps of totally adorbs Anya and little Noah. 

Ah. How can you not just melt at little Haven and her stunning mama?! Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba) uses her much followed Instagram profile to share snaps of daughters Honor and Haven, handsome hubbie Cash Warren, their amazing holidays and last but not least, her business-venture Honest by Jessica Alba.

Nicole Richie (@nicolerichie) used the following words to capture this Instagram image: "Welcome to the centre of my universe". How. Amazingly. Sweet. A must-follow.

Miranda Kerr (@mirandakerr) and her adorable little Flynn. Tune in to her Instagram profile for more adorbs images.

(Photo Credit: Instagram)