Read Part One- The Day We Met- here.

Read Part Two- Getting To Know Each Other- here.

Read Part Three- Moving In- here.

Read Part Four- Just Friends?- here.

Read Part Five- My New Life Without You- here.

Read Part Six- Secrets- here.

Read Part Seven- I Love You- here.

Read Part Eight- When You Realise- here.

Read Part Nine- Our New Little Home- here.

Read Part Ten- Our Big Day- here.

Read Part Eleven- OMG We Are Having A Baby- here.

Read Part Twelve- Two Become Three- here.

Over the last couple of months I have been writing posts all about 'My Little Love Story.'  It has been quite long, but I have enjoyed writing it and reliving the memories of mine and Mr E's story of how we met.  

When I woke up that morning in April 2005 I didn't realise that particular day would change the whole course of my life.  It was just a normal day in my university year, and when I met that smiling manager at the bar and asked him for a part time job I didn't get a jolt of electricity or the feeling of love at first sight.  I sure as hell didn't realise he was going to be my future husband.  

But our friendship grew, and I started to get little insights into his mind, how kind he was, how thoughtful and above all how much he cared for me.  That friendship grew into a relationship, that relationship grew into a marriage, and in December 2010 two became three when our little girl was born.

For the past eight years my life has been entwined with his.  Even in the early days when we were just friends, we were inseparable and we had the most fun.  There isn't a day when I haven't spoken to him.  I sometimes think about what it would have been like if we hadn't actually been brave enough to risk our friendship and kiss that day.  Sure, I wouldn't have been a lonely spinster.  I would have gone on to love someone else, marry someone else and maybe even have a baby with someone else.  But that someone else wouldn't be Mr E- my kind, gentle hearted, selfless partner who I have loved with all my heart the past eight years.  And we wouldn't have Mads- the most wonderful little girl in the world.

I know I am soppy and my love story may make you want to gag.  But it's the truth.  Don't get me wrong- our relationship isn't perfect.  We have had huge fights, especially in the early days where we have thrown things and shouted and cried.  We have had times where we have stormed out the house, said things we didn't mean and been so sad with one another.  

Life isn't a fairytale or something out of a romantic chick flick.  

But the one thing we have never done is say we want out.  We have never been one of these couple's to question our relationship or say is it worth it?  We have stuck together through thick and thin, through good and bad, and like our vows said, for better or worse.  There have been bad days, some semi rough patches, and some very stressful times.

 But for all those bad days?

There have been a thousand good ones.

We have been so drunk that we can't speak and fallen over.  There have certainly been plenty of those when we were younger.  We have stayed up all night, drinking, laughing and joking.  We have danced in clubs, on bars (literally), at friends weddings and at our own wedding.  We have danced in a circle holding hands with our daughter.  

We have laughed till we cried and cried till we laughed.  We have mopped away each others tears, been there for each other, been a shoulder to cry on and the rock in each others lives.  We have told each other our deepest darkest thoughts, our hopes and dreams, and our fears.  We have got to know each other inside and out.

We have been to some amazing places and seen some amazing things.  We have been swimming with Dolphins in Cuba, gone deep sea diving in Barbados, and passed out in a hotel room in Miami after drinking far too many jagermeisters.  We have been lucky enough to travel all over the world and have forged some amazing memories.

We have lived in Leeds, we have lived in London and we have finally settled in our first little home together in Cambridgeshire (for now!)  We have made the most amazing friends together, had some fabulous parties, been on some incredible adventures and made the most of our child free, no responsibility years.

In December 2010 our little girl was born.  Our daughter.  She has my eyes, her Daddy's nose and her Daddy's laid back temprament.  She can be feisty (stroppy!) like her Mummy but has the most gentle and affectionate side like her Daddy.  

She is a part of both of us and I look at her and I am amazed we created something so perfect.

I am so thankful to have walked into that bar that day.

 If I hadn't my life would have been very different.  

Who knows what will happen in the future?  Who knows where we will end up?  What jobs we will have?  We would like a little brother or sister for Mads in the not so distant future, and then after that who knows?

You can't say anything will last forever, life isn't a fairy tale, but I would like to think that Mr E and I will always be together.  I didn't say our vows for nothing.  I will continue to work at our relationship and I hope he will do the same.  It isn't always going to be easy, but I like to think that we will always try our hardest.  As long as we carry on the way we are, my our life together will be a happy one.

So my little love story draws to a close, on here at least, but every day I live my life surrounded by the happiness that this one man has bought me.  I want to thank my husband for being quite simply the best.   

Here's too many more chapters of our life together.

Mr E I love you.   

When you are little person even the smallest thing can seem like a really big adventure, and a really exciting thing to do.  I love watching Mads explore the world around us and experience things that she has never seen before.  

It doesn't seem very exciting to us but when you are only a foot tall, it really can be enough to make you jump around in excitement.

In a brief moment of dry weather last week, Mads and I set off for a little walk.  Instantly she was hyper because she didn't have to go in her buggy.  We hadn't set off very far when we came to some blossom that had blown off the trees.  Needless to say this was the most exciting thing ever.

I love that my little girl sees the beauty in everything.

I am a little sleepy tired tonight so this weeks that was needs no introductions.

Without further ado here is My Week That Was.

Monday was a bank holiday which was rather lovely so no work for me.  We went into Cambridge for the day and my friend from University Claire and her boyfriend came from London to see us.  Claire was one of the three bridesmaids at our wedding.  The weather was horrible but we went for a yummy lunch at Revolution. (who knew that they would be so good for children.) 

Tuesday was 'a work day.'  The least we say about that the better.  The most exciting part of my day was the jacket potato I had for dinner.  Enough said.

Wednesday morning was a work day.  Then in the afternoon I came home and had the afternoon to myself as Mads goes to her Auntie Paula's all day on a Wednesday from this week onwards.  It was lovely having some time to myself but I am going to have to spend it doing freelance work.  

Thursday was a fabulous day.  I woke up early on Thursday morning to find a barrage of tweets on my iPad from various ladies on twitter.  I found out that I had been chosen as a finalist in the Mad Blog Awards.  I didn't think in a million years that I would be chosen as a finalist, let alone in THREE categories.  I am over the moon- this blog means so much to me.  We celebrated by going to baby gym with our friends and then over to my Mum's salon to get my nails done for Cybher. 

Friday morning we had two of Mad's little friends over for a playdate.  They caused carnage in the house, and my friend bought over cake and lunch for us which was rather nice.  In the afternoon we went into town to run some errands and get Mad's first ever passport photo done for our holiday in June.  I had to bribe her with a breadstick and you can see that her mouth is full in the photo- classic!

Saturday needs no introductions- it was Cybher.  I had a great day catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.  The conference itself was great, and I really enjoyed it- it was lovely meeting some bloggers who I have been chatting to for ages.  In the evening I went for a meal at Zizzi's with Lucy and Jess, they are both lovely and we had a really nice night.

Sunday was spent relaxing.  My wonderful hubby spent some time sorting out our garden- it is by no means finished yet though.  My dad and his wife also came over to help us for a bit too.  We had a very grumpy Mads too so we all went for a walk on her little trike and sat and had a mini picnic in the park.  In the late afternoon Mads and I went over to see a friend and her son to give Mr E a little break from the wailing grumpy banshee- we went to play on the swings and watch her husband play cricket.  It was lovely and Mads had a ten minute sleep in the car and soon perked up.

Like other big news stories in the last decade or so, unfortunately I, like most people, can remember exactly what I was doing when Madeleine McCann went missing on the 3rd May 2007 in Praia Del Luz Portugal.  I remember seeing her face emblazoned all over the news, her gorgeous, cute little face- so innocent and so instantly famous and recognizable for all the wrong reasons.  How a three year old could disappear into thin air I could not physically comprehend and I could not even begin to imagine how her parents must be feeling.  

Fast forward a few years, and Madeleine McCann is still missing.  Today she turns nine years old.  Another birthday that her family will not get to spend with her, another milestone that they have missed out on.  Now I am a Mummy myself, to a beautiful little girl, that unbelievable incomprehension of how on earth her parents can cope with this happening is even worse.  I cannot imagine the fear they have felt, the tears they have shed and the sense of despair they must deal with day in and day out.  How there must have been times where they couldn't carry on but realising that they have to for their other two children.  How each day that passes must bring new challenges and how they have to deal with the endless 'What if's?'

I get a lot of requests to write charity posts on my blog, and unfortunately you cannot write them all but there is something about Madeleine Mcann that has always struck a cord with me.  Especially now I am a parent.  I know that hundreds of children go missing every year, but for whatever reason she has become the 'image' of missing children.  Yet this little girl is still very much missing.

Last year Scotland Yard reopened Madeleine's case and they are currently following up many leads.  As members of the public and as bloggers we can help too by spreading the word and keeping Madeleine's memory alive.  After all there is someone out there who knows what happened to her. 

Experts have released an image of what Madeleine could look like now on her 9th birthday. 

Can you imagine every day waking up and not knowing where your beloved daughter is?  I can't.  It is important not to forget about Madeleine.

If you have any information that can help in the case contact your local police force immediately or

o Operation Grange

0207 321 9251 (in the UK)

+44 207 321 9251 (non-UK)

o Or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

o OR Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org

I think it is great that Kelly and Caroline have organised the #blogging4madeleine campaign.  We should never ever forget about Madeleine.

This morning I was tucked up snug as a bug in my nice warm bed, when I heard the iPad buzzing away downstairs.  Initially my first thought was why hasn't my husband put it on silent, hasn't he learnt his lesson?  Many a time we have been woken up by my twitter timeline going bonkers.  But then I thought I would check it to see what all the fuss was about.  The first tweet I saw was from The Boy and Me, congratulating me on being a Mad Blog Awards Finalist and then I saw lots more similar ones too.

My fingers were actually shaking as I went to look on the Mad Blog Awards site, and I couldn't believe it when I saw that I was a finalist in not one but three different categories- Best Blog Writer, Best Family Life Blog and Most Helpful Blogger.  I am not ashamed to admit I felt tears prick the back of my eyes and I jumped around the room like a complete loony.

Hours later and I still haven't come back down to earth.  I am over the moon to be a finalist in such a prestigious blogging awards, and it really does mean the world to me.  Over the last fourteen months blogging has quite simply changed my life, and I adore my little section of cyberspace.  

In my categories I am up against blogging royalty and legends who I have admired since I began writing all those months agoo.  I don't have a chance in hell of winning, but the fact that I have got through to the finals is the world's biggest buzz for me and I can't thank whoever nominated me enough.  I have worked so hard on my little blog, from the design to the content, and I am so pleased that people like it.  I love the memories I am making for my daughter.

I cannot wait to go the awards ceremony at the end of September, from last year's accounts it looked a complete blast, so I am counting the days already.  

Voting is open until June 6th (I think) so if you do think that I deserve a vote in any or all of the categories, I would appreciate it more than you could know.

Thank you again to whoever nominated me- you have made this lady so incredibly happy!

P.S I love how the badge says Mad Blogger- after all my blog is primarily about my Mads!

As some of you may know I am a very lucky lady because I have a very lovely part time job for Little Dish.  I have been doing it a few months now and I really love it, it is fantastic to be a part of such a great team and it is really the best job in the world for me right now- I get paid to do things I would normally do, chat to other Mum's, blog and do some PR and marketing.  The thing that I like most about Little Dish is that I genuinely love their products and feed them to my daughter all the time, plus I like the story of where they came from and their plans for the future.

Little Dish are sponsoring the Barnardo's Big Toddle this year, and because of this they are planning a Spring Party and inviting lots of Mums from all walks of life.  

I want to get the bloggers involved!  If you fancy coming along to the Spring party, its on the 22nd May in Holland Park in London.  There will be loads of entertainment for the children, plus free food and a little 'Big Toddle' too.

If you live in or near to London and fancy coming along then please leave me a comment below with your email address.  I will be there helping out with other members of the Little Dish Team.  We are looking forward to seeing some bloggers there.

Do you ever just want to freeze time?  Or store every memory up in your head and be able to go back and relive them whenever you want?  

Recently I can't stop thinking about Mads and how completely and utterly pure and innocent she is.  She knows nothing of the sometimes horrible world we live in, she knows nothing of the dangers.  All she sees is the beauty in things.  She is a little blank canvas, ready to be moulded by the way we bring her up.

The way she giggles when we blow raspberries on her tummy.  The way her little face lights up and her eyes go big and wide when she gets chocolate.  The way her Daddy coming in from work makes her jump up and down and shout with delight.  All these things are the most endearing and beautiful qualities that make her our lovely daughter.  

I don't want her to lose them.  Sometimes I want to guard her from the world and all the horrible things that coud happen.  I never want her to feel scared, get hurt, or feel any sort of pain.  I don't want her to know that there are some not so good people out there, that can do bad things.  I don't want her to know that there are people out there who steal, or kill, or hurt.  Or that some people bully and say mean things.  That someone could break her heart one day.  I want her to keep her in her cocoon of childlike innocence forever.  

I want her to grow up and find the magic in things.  Be excited about Father Christmas coming, or by putting her tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy.  I want her to play with dolls, tenderly brush their hair and play make believe and imagine fairies, ghosts and mermaids.  I want to make her younger years a life full of fun, imagination and creativity.  

You see children nowadays and they grow up far too quickly.  You only have to walk down the street and see girls as young as twelve caked in makeup, fake tan and false eyelashes.  Why are they in such a hurry to grow up?  Why can't they enjoy being young?  

When the time comes, don't get me wrong, I will educate my daughter to know right from wrong, and I will make her street wise.  

I just wish I didn't have too.

 I wish I could keep her my innocent and pure little girl forever, the one that sucks her fingers and pulls on my ear when she is tired.  The one whose tears can be stopped by a cuddle from her Mummy or Daddy.

It makes me sad to think of the day when cuddles might not be enough.

We have had a lovely bank holiday as a family.  Here are some photos of the fun we had.

We went out for the day with my lovely friend Emma, had a nice lunch and then fed some swans. (And one duck!)

Mads took her first ever photo....she is holding the remote control!

We passed a rapeseed field and just had to go in and take some photos.  Disclaimer- please note no babies were hurt during the taking of the above photo!  I love love love the photo of Mads being thrown in the air.

Monday was spent in Cambridge with our friends Claire and Danny, Claire is my bestest friend from university and was bridesmaid at our wedding.  We went out for burgers and Mads had pizza before sharing a big icecream with Mummy and Daddy.  

All in all a lovely bank holiday.

As I am writing this it is Sunday afternoon, we are in the middle of a long weekend, Mr E is watchnig football on the ipad and Mads is asleep upstairs having an afternoon nap.  What a fab, relaxing Sunday, and we are looking forward to meeting our friends for the day tomorrow.

Without further ado here is My Week That Was...

Monday was a work day and as you all probably know by now I just love them!  Nothing exciting happened whatsoever and the rain hammered down all day making it even worse.  Nothing like a rainy work day to dampen your spirits.

Tuesday was yet again a work day, but the day was broken up slightly by one of my best friends and my goddaughter meeting me on my lunch hour.  Plus I had been paid and had got a nice quarterly bonus- this reminded me that work actually was a good thing!  In the evening we went over to my Mum's for dinner so that was nice.

Wednesday I worked in the morning, and then in the afternoon I met my friend Jo and went over to my Mum's salon so she could have eyelash extensions put on.  They took hours and look amazing, but I couldn't be bothered with all the upkeep of them.  In the evening I went to the cinema with my sister to see 'The Lucky One,' which is a chick flick starring Zac Efron.  Me, being a total sucker for a love story, absolutely loved it.  We had a lovely evening together.

Thursday I went over to Lucy's for the day for a play date with her and Little Man.  It was lovely to see them and we only live an hour away from each other so have said we shall do it once a month.  We went for a sandwich and a mooch around the shops, and I finally managed to spend the Mamas and Papas voucher I have had since Mads was born.  I bought her two very cute little summer outfits, one being a dress which is totally impractical but just gorgeous.

Friday I went to meet my NCT friends for coffee at a local garden centre, we had cake and the babies sat and had snacks before having a little play on the under cover playground.  Mads fell over and got her first little grazed knee, I am sure she will have plenty more of them in the future.  In the afternoon we came home and Mads had a really long two and a bit hour sleep, as I had tidied up in the morning I sat down and relaxed on the sofa which was very much needed.

Saturday was a lovely day.  We met up with one of my good friends Emma who we haven't seen for ages, she came from London for the day to see us.  We had a great time catching up, we went out for a pub lunch, then went to feed the ducks, before going to a little tea shop to have a cake.  Mads was on her best behaviour which meant we could chat and gossip to our hearts content.  A true friend is someone who you can not see for six months and when you see them it feels like yesterday.  I am very lucky to have some wonderful friends in my life.  In the evening Mr E and I had risotto and watched rubbish tv.

Sunday has been spent relaxing and not doing much at all.  We went over to my Mum's in the morning for a drink and to say hi, and then we went out shopping for wallpaper as we are going to wallpaper a wall in our bedroom.  Mads is having a nice long nap and we are relaxing.  A perfect bank holiday Sunday in my opinion.

And that was My Week That Was.

If you would like to join up and tell us about your week the linky is open and will remain open until next Sunday so feel free to join up at any time- doesn't just have to be on a Sunday.  You can grab the badge too.  Have a good week.