Jessica Coates-Judson

When we started looking at available houses last year, our requirements were not diva like. Enough rooms to have a guest room/study, garage for both cars and ABSOLUTELY no stairs. There were a few places that fitted the bill house wise but the locations were a bit isolating considering I have two babies and know very few people. Also, hubby would have a minimum 40 minute drive for work. So here we are in a house close to shops, parks, family and Steve’s work. We’ve stored some furniture, the kids rooms are doubling as guest rooms and I’ve given up a gym membership for a staircase. I am actually enjoying the downsize, less to look after and I’m learning to deal with the stairs. During the day, we only go up for Daisy’s nap, otherwise I have everything from changes of clothes for all three of us to extra phone chargers all downstairs. We have safety gates in all the places and a cute cupboard under the stairs for all the Harry Potter fans. The concessions we’ve made house wise are made...

This started as one of those ‘remember Instagram is only the highlight reel’ posts. I am standing in the kitchen with one baby strapped to me because that’s the only place he won’t cry and the toddler is sitting in the high chair demanding cheese and throwing the food I’d prepared her on the floor. She also informs me there is ‘mess’. The morning started at 5am. Little man was ready for the day. When he settled at 8am, Daisy was ready for action. Not to worry he lasted about 8 minutes before he needed tending to again. So we set about our day. There were tears and multiple dirty nappies but there were plenty of laughs and a contented run in the backyard. That’s what my post was going to be about, how much I’m enjoying the new backyard which although small gives Daisy a place to play.  Usually I throw my insta posts out into the world with a one sentence caption but I think sometimes for the Mum on the other side of the screen, no matter how large our following is, there is a...

Every year, Hunter Valley Gardens runs its Christmas Light Spectacular. I've now been twice and it is definitely one to add to your to do list. The event runs from early November all the way up to the end of January. As I had just had Lucas we waited until after Christmas when the crowds were a little smaller but it was just as good. There are heaps of food options and a bunch of rides as well. The pictures really don't do it justice!

A new year, a new bub and a new home. To say life has been busy is an understatement. We welcomed baby number two late November (I’ll post Lucas’s birth story soon) and from then on it was a whirlwind of newborn life, Christmas shopping and preparing for the move. We’ve also rented out on house in Newcastle so we had all the jobs associated with that as well. Daisy enjoyed and understood Christmas way more than expected and Lucas fortunately is thriving in a somewhat chaotic environment. The house is Sydney is nice but smaller so we’ve been busy trying to make everything fit and get some routine in place. Steve likes the new posting and the quick drive to work. As for me, my uniform consists of a mum bun and tights most days and I do the silly things like putting clothes in the washing machine but not turning it on. I have study that needs to be finished, events on the calendar and a plan to reclaim my health this year. I hope to grow the blog as well as producing more social me...