Welcome to the Hallway

Hello and welcome to the hallway. I'm going to *try* and stay committed to this blog, but I've not done so well before.

Allow me to introduce myself. 

I'm Emma, I'm nearly 24 (in 10 days...!) and I am married to this really amazing man, whom I've known since I was 5 years old. He's called Phillip, and he's just starting a degree in Construction Management. We married in October 2011, in our families' church and became a family in January 2012, when our son Charles was born. I had a hard pregnancy, suffering from peri-natal depression followed by a long, hard, posterior labour. I breastfed Charles until he was 18 months old, and we co slept until he was 10 months old. I still carry him in a sling from time to time, but he mostly prefers to walk now. 

In April 2013, I found out I was pregnant again, after just two months of trying. We were overjoyed. Three months later we found out we were expecting a daughter. We cried for so many different reasons. I had suffered severely from Hypermesis Gravidarium but recovered quickly after fluids in hospital and medication. At 22 weeks pregnant, I developed "SPD" or symphysis pubis dysfunction. My ligaments had relaxed too much and my pelvic joints had widened too far. I ended up on crutches and in a wheelchair for the rest of my pregnancy. This time, however, I kept my mental health in check and triumphed over my temporary disability. 

In Jan 2014, 6 days after her due date, our daughter Ellizabeth was born. After a week long pre-labour, we had a short active labour of 4 hours and 20 minutes, with only 8 minutes of pushing. It was a perfect, natural childbirth with only Entonox, and TENS for pain relief. It was the proudest 4 hours and 20 minutes of my life. 

I am breastfeeding Ellizabeth, or Bess has she's often known and we co slept from day one. She's just moved into her bedside cot at nearly 9 months old, because we keep waking her up when we roll over! She loves being in a sling, especially on me and has just recently taken her first steps. 

We plan to home educate our children.  Don't worry, they both already have friends, a lot of them, whom we socialise with on a regular basis. I support teachers, but not the system in which they teach. I like the national curriculum but not the time scale they have to complete it in. I also feel children start school too early. We follow a Montessori style education system at home. 

We are passionate about adoption. We are passionate about Africa. It won't surprise you now you've read that, that we plan to internationally, trans-racially adopt. Our choice is Ethiopia, so a lot of time over the next few years will be spent immersing ourselves in Ethiopian culture and learning Amharic. 

I am a keen horse rider, and currently train at Flanders Farm Training Centre, under the expert guidance of some amazing instructors, most specifically Natalie Lascelles. She's an amazing teacher, role model and just all round super person. 

Saved until last, as the best always is, I am a big 'ole Jesus lover. I am a Christian, I don't really have a denomination but I was raised as an Anglican. We are starting to attend a multicultural international church as of tomorrow, so watch this space! I love Jesus, I love His teachings of love and peace. I love His miracles, and I still am in awe that He actually died for ME (and everyone else of course...). 

I can't wait to blog again with our journey as a family. In the meantime, until the Lord opens the next door, remember to praise him in the hallway!

Emma x