tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765Sun, 29 Mar 2026 08:58:39 +0000PDMemeNurseryBreastfeedingNCTTalkingWordless WednesdayFamilyThe HutGrandmaBaby BooksBathtimeBook ReviewHayleyTeethingwalkingCousinsDisciplineGodparentsMePramTantrumsslummy MummyArts and CraftsAwardsBottle FeedingChristmasOur FamilyOvertiredPooPotty TrainingyogaBedtimeBestivalBicycleBooksBritish Mummy BloggersCar SeatDepressionDressing UpFearless FridayFestivalGina FordGlampervanImmunisationsLearning to ride a bikeMe TimePub LunchReviewVW CamperVideoWeightZikobad backsleep31 weeks pregnant39 Weeks PregnantAnomaly ScanColdsCookingCryingDancingDiddi DanceDog phobiaFamily SundaysGrowth SpurtInductionIslandIsle of Wight Festival 2008Labour SignsLife modellingMamas and PapasNew ArrivalsOsteopathOutfitsPelvic Floor Exercises after PregnancyPilates on the GreenPostnatal Depression (PND)Preganancy Weight GainProud DadRecyclingReturning to WorkSingle MumTestsToddlerTrampolineVery Early LabourWeaningsewingtoys12 week scan18 months20 week scan21 weeks pregnant23 Weeks Pregnant24 weeks pregnant27 Weeks pregnant28 weeks pregnant2nd Birthday32 weeks Pregnant34 weeks pregnant36 weeks pregnant38 Weeks Pregnant3D Scan4D Scan8 Weeks OldAlphaMummyBaba BingBaby BjornBaby ClothesBaby Gender ScanBaby Loves DiscoBaby SlingBabyCentreBirth RegistrationBirth WeightBonding ScanBoseBraxton HicksBruisesBuddhaBugabooBuggyBumps and bruisesCafeCar sicknessCarpal Tunnel in PregnancyChanging BagCommutingCuddlesDIYDR Gowri MothaDadDaycareDisneyDizzyDragon Boat RacingDrawingEarly WakingExpressing MilkFinanceFirstsFresco BloomGTTGlucose Tolerance TestGraziaGymboreeHairHeel Prick TestHiccoughsHiccupsHigh ChairHormonesHospital BagIslaJo FrostJo WhileyKindleKway YinLearningLochiaLondon ZooMMRMaternity BrasMaternity NotesMayan ballMeme;Meme; MeMidwife CareMiniMorningsMothers DayMumsnetMy World in MotionNHSNappiesNeroNine Months PregnantNipperboutNuchal TestOrkestra del SolOverstimulatonPaperchaseParkPelvic Floor Exercises in PregnancyPhotographyPicnicPilatesPlayingPoorlyPregnanacy HormonesPregnancy and Birth MagazinePregnancy in the workplacePro-sleepQuinnyRaspberry Leaf TeaReadingSPDScrapbookShowSpiritualityStorytime; TalkingSun FunSwine FluSymphysis Pubic DysfunctionTagsTest for Downs SyndromeThankyouThe BirthThe GalleryThe GuardianTiredTuesdaysWeddingsWillow FoundationZoe Williamsbaby genderbabycinobehaviourcampingcybermummydreamsheartburniPhoneiPodlabourmiscarriagemobilemorning sicknessnew businesspaintingrecipesromantic notionssex during pregnancyshoessittingteletheatrethree weekstravel sicknesswaters breakingwineI was pregnant, now I'm a parent and it still comes as a surprise. So here I am a single mum.http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Blogger926125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-4344978361475322277Wed, 25 Feb 2015 09:42:00 +00002015-02-25T10:03:45.111+00:00Man down! man down! This exclamation is normally accompanied by a flurry of activity as places are filled and the fallen soldier is recovered to be carried off and repaired. Not quite the same when the man down is a single mum and that single mum is me! Bloomin tonsillitis has taken me out at the knees. I am currently managing a 10 : 180 minute activity to nap ratio. Trouble is I can't http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2015/02/woman-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-3593921229617931203Thu, 05 Feb 2015 08:30:00 +00002015-02-05T09:39:18.453+00:00I struggle with deppression. Every now and then it sneaks up behind me and slowly sufficates me. The anxiety is paralysing and overwhelm, well that's overwhelming. It takes all I have to work and parent, chores go undone, words go unsaid. At this time I can't ask for help, I can barely speak. Don't ask me questions even if they are 'how can I help?' I won't know. Yes my life is good and yes Ihttp://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2015/02/mental-health.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-3675612201737587817Fri, 21 Nov 2014 08:50:00 +00002014-11-21T15:57:39.498+00:00 I guess when you are a single mum, or indeed possibly anyone over 40 dating becomes more complicated.  In fact if someone doesn’t have any baggage or damage that in itself would imply something wrong!   Not that any of this helps in the moment.   I’ve not been a serial dater, I can take a while to warm to a person (why generally my relationships start with people I http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2014/11/bring-your-baggage-lets-unpack.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-220243264592662694Wed, 12 Nov 2014 10:16:00 +00002014-11-21T07:00:14.872+00:00So, I'm back. Yes I know I have said it before but this time I really mean it. I miss this blog. Yes, I have twitter and to some extent that has provided entertainment and contact. But, I miss blogging. I miss writing. Not really sure why I stopped. I think so much was going on that I could barely get my head around it let alone get it across in words. Like many people going http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2014/11/tentative-toe-in-water.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-6914221141114681539Thu, 06 Mar 2014 22:05:00 +00002014-03-06T22:05:16.704+00:00I popped over here to look for something in particular. Like looking for any missing thing in a big space I got distracted along the way. I read a bit. I looked at pictures and I thought: I miss this. I keep saying I'll return and maybe it's time to. The thing is we are somewhere else now, is it all too much to explain? Or should I just carry on as if nothing has happened?http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2014/03/we-arent-there-anymore.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-4097575632546759470Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:05:00 +00002012-11-05T11:05:59.968+00:00Pfffft *blows off the dust* Ah, there you are, I can see you now. As Isobel starts school next week I realised how much I have missed the little hidden hole of musings. I've had no-one to tell about little girl's fascination with Holby and how that has meant I have had to explain about heart transplants mean taking a heart from some one who no longer needs it - 'because they are http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2012/11/pfffft-blows-off-dust.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-1282890619911380096Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:04:00 +00002012-03-18T10:04:12.633+00:00I may not be there to make you breakfast in bed (I made Little Girl breakfast in bed today), but I am thinking of you. http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2012/03/happy-mothers-day-mummy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-8595907406600844612Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:27:00 +00002012-02-23T11:36:59.730+00:00 Hello Blog,   You may not remember me, but I am the Surprise Mum in your title.   I am the mum that loved you, that loved expressing myself on your ever waiting pages.  I used you to celebrate the triumphs of motherhood, to dispel myths and more than occasionally to weep into.   Where have I been lately?  The answer is no where.  You became a ‘should&#http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2012/02/hello-remember-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-6151316390891235309Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:21:00 +00002012-01-05T20:28:49.197+00:00Oh my have the chats in my house got a hell of a lot more interesting since little girl turned 3 and 3/4. There was the 'you are quite old mummy so someone will marry you' chat. The conversation comparing a friend to big Karina at nursery and the use of the F word - Fat. I think I came out quite well in this conversation because, apparently, I'm not fat I'm 'just short like me mummy'. http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2012/01/un-has-nothing-on-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-7597842269990070422Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:40:00 +00002011-12-24T19:40:47.018+00:00Dear Father Christmas,I have checked NORAD and I know you are on your way. I just wanted to let you know that I have been a VERY VERY good girl this year. Now I know this probably puts me on the Nice List, but I can't help feeling that in a grass-is-always-greener kind of way, that those on the Naughty List are probably having a lot more fun.I hope Rudolph does his stuff for you tonight and http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/12/hes-coming-to-town.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-1176782035812503795Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:20:00 +00002011-12-12T21:20:36.287+00:00DepressionI'm feeling slightly guilty. This was meant to be a Mental Health Carnival in the style of the lovely Carol over at Dance Without Sleeping, but I can't help feel I have let her down by not promoting hard enough and by not getting many contributions. In fact hers is the only one, not including my introductory post.  Carol's is a great post, read it here, her Christmas Crazy is http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/12/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-my-sanity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-4614488786443389235Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:36:00 +00002011-12-03T08:36:58.975+00:00NurseryThis evening during the FINAL bedtime cuddle, little girl was telling me about her nursery play. A play in which she is an Elf (remember this, it is important in a few sentences time). We discussed that Mummy was going one day and Daddy another. We sang 'Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star'. The Little girl told me what she has to say in the play. Yes, a speaking part no less. Proud mummy bubbled http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/12/im-celebrity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-774322267095374806Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:19:00 +00002011-11-28T20:12:07.904+00:00This time last year I should have merrily been skipping towards the festive season on the arm of a new beau. It was a time for celebration and falling in love. Well, it should have been. Instead I lost the plot. Maybe not entirely, but as close as I would ever like to come: mind-numbingly, stare-at-the-wall-for-hours close. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t festive. As the festivities mounted thehttp://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/this-time-last-year-i-should-have.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-576473550593899937Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:55:00 +00002011-11-27T19:55:20.234+00:00http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/silent-sunday_27.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-7794684270211333263Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:53:00 +00002011-11-23T19:53:11.283+00:00My little girl is far too clever for my good. Actually, she is a 'clever clogs', if I just refer to her as clever I am instantly corrected:'No, mummy. I'm not clever I am clever clogs'Nope, this isn't a Peppa pig affectation, it's my fault, it's what I normally call her. And, she beams with pride. Little also beams when you call her pretty. A pretty clever clogs what more can a mother be afraid http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/little-mouse-with-clogs-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-211062048900183746Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:18:00 +00002011-11-14T14:18:17.368+00:00   It has to be said that in surprised terraces we have not been having a good November.   The house has been filled with the glorious sound of coughed up lungs and midnight vomiting.   Sleep has become a precious commodity and tempers are definitely fraying at the edges, well and the middle…   But, I am thankful that, as yet, we have not been stranded in the http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/all-adrift-on-sea-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-3398296248248584896Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:30:00 +00002011-11-06T17:30:43.389+00:00http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/silent-sunday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-356593642156800481Sat, 05 Nov 2011 19:25:00 +00002011-11-05T19:25:41.265+00:00theatreEvery now and then I get a glimpse of the mother I thought I'd be, of the romantic notions I built up around having a daughter. Today, just for an hour I lived up to my own expectations. This morning I took little girl to the theatre. Richmond Theatre has always been a favourite destination of mine, they was a time I went there more often than I did to the cinema. ( remember Miss B?) It's a http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/just-for-moment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-4087365424454702115Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:04:00 +00002011-11-04T21:04:09.617+00:00Well our mini sleepover ended with little guest coughing and vomiting on her father as he picked her up to take her home.Guess I'm not the host I thought I was either.Where's the wine... - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonehttp://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/alls-well-that-ends-well.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-398623516058149417Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:23:00 +00002011-11-04T19:23:03.898+00:00I am sitting here in my pjs surrounded by Duplo and tv characters.Snow white is on the telly and two little girls are having a pretend phone conversation about bed time.All is well accept I have run out of tonic to go with my gin.Oh dear, I really am not the mum I thought I'd be.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonehttp://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/tonic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-9039991568042286416Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:37:00 +00002011-11-02T15:45:02.157+00:00Tidy Something I really need to do! I would love to be a tidy person, mess drives me mad but not enough to tidy, obviously. This post is my entry for the infamous Tara's weekly gallery. Click here to see lots more entries! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhonehttp://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/gallery-t-is-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-2145450080715031267Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:25:00 +00002011-11-02T08:51:54.508+00:00I can't grow a moustache and, as much I would love to, there is no way I could manage the novel in a month. Maybe next year... The latter that is, I hope it will be a long time before the first is a possibility.There is a thing I loved in my life, something I let become tarnished, that I didn't pay enough attention to nor notice that the love was slipping away.I want to rekindle that http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/11/november.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-8581461611023376080Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:31:00 +00002011-10-24T13:31:48.740+01:00Little girls grasp of language never ceases to amaze me.Having been told the night before that Sue was coming to visit on Friday afternoon it was the first thing on her mind. And I mean first thing. At 6:10 in the morning I was greeted with the now immortal words:'Sue-sue is a bit like wee-wee, isn't it mummy?'A somewhat sleepy me was instantly confused. Was this another wee -poo joke?'mummy, Suehttp://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-sure-there-is-word-for-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-353455124100145097Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:38:00 +00002011-10-15T17:39:02.633+01:00With her 'pet' lunch.http://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/10/off-to-school-apparently.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182468359602459765.post-6779522615689260363Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:29:00 +00002011-10-12T20:14:14.572+01:00MeMy dearest darlingest ZoëWe have known each other for a very long time now, longer than perhaps we care to admit, I just wanted to take this opportunity to write you a little note.It is now 20 years since you left home, left the island to spend a year in Oz before traipsing off to uni. Your life is amazing and I want to point out that that is down to you and your energy. I know you feel that youhttp://diaryofasurprisemum.blogspot.com/2011/10/from-me-on-great-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1