Pregnant at University

I was nineteen, in my second year of university and I was pregnant.

My boyfriend (of four years) and I had always felt like a pretty strong couple, at that moment in time however, we were terrified, completely lost and suddenly unable to imagine our situation unfolding into a positive future.

After a few months it all became too much for us to handle together and we broke up.

I found myself alone, scared and staring into a giant pit of uncertainty.

Of two things however, I was absolutely sure:

1. I was keeping the baby.

2. I was going to blooming well graduate from university and provide a stable and happy life for my child.

I just didn't quite know how I was going to do it.

I spent a good while plodding along, dragging myself to lectures while trying not to fall asleep, cry or vomit.

I did have the support of my friends and family but as with anyone you are close to - you can always see what their true feelings are by the looks on their faces. They were all extremely anxious.

Some didn't mind telling me how worried they were for my future. Many told me that it would be easier to give university altogether. Some said that I was selfish for planning to carry on with my studies with a child. I was accused of draining people’s taxes before the baby was even born. A few incredibly unkind people informed me that I was going to ruin my life as well as the lives of those around me.

For a group of 'grown ups' they certainly were naive. And wrong.

Being young and pregnant does not automatically mean that you have failed and should pack it all in. If you have decided to study, and you still want to do it, then go and do it! I'm not saying that studying hard while gestating a baby is for everyone, and I'm also not saying that those that don't choose to continue are worth any less than those that do.

What I am saying, shouting, screaming even, is that it is not impossible. If you want anything badly enough than it can be achieved.

Get determined

Nothing that comes easy is worth having. There will be days when you haven’t slept, the house is a mess and you have a whopper of an essay to write - and on those days you need to have your goal so clearly fixed in your head that the determination alone overtakes. 

For me it was the image of my child one day visiting my classroom and seeing me teach. This would be the moment when I would know we had made it. I would be able to show her what all of our hard work was for. She would grow up knowing just how strong women are. She would be provided for, happy and proud.

Get informed. Make a plan

Contact your campus support team and find out if there is any support available for someone in your position. Usually there are ‘access to learning’ grants that can help you continue to study. If you are in college or at university there are also grants, bursaries and loans that can help with child care. The people who help you access the support are also there to keep you going. Show them how much you want and need to be there, and they will go out if their way to make it happen for you. My access to learning manager cried when I got my grant sent through. We both did. It was an emotional moment!

Get strong

Tell your family, friends and anyone who'll listen about your plan, even if you haven't quite filled in the blanks. The more you talk about it, the more focused you will feel. If the people around you know that you are crystal clear about what you want, and can see how determined you are to get it, they will be just as determined to support you.

Get positive. Be thankful.

Having a thankful outlook on life is the difference between a good day and a rubbish one. Of course there were days when I moaned, and cried. I was tired, my body ached, I had essays to write - I had a long list of things to complain about. Then one day I decided to make a list if things I was thankful for every single day and it totally changed my way of thinking. I had a support network, a roof over my head, food in my belly, a healthy baby and access to an education. Thinking in this way helped me to stay positive, focused and determined.

Get Support

I'm not just talking about a good set maternity undies here (although supportive underwear is well worth the money when you have a baby elephant doing the Time Warp in your womb) I'm talking about friends.

People react to pregnancy in lots of different ways - especially young people. I automatically lost a good proportion of my 'friends' who couldn't handle my situation. That sucked at the time, but I'm really grateful it happened as it totally separated the men from the boys where friends were concerned.

The friends that I was left with were truly incredible and I owe so much to them. I moved in with two wonderful people who were there throughout the whole pregnancy and lived with my daughter and I for a year after that. The three of us had no clue what we were doing, but we got through it together, laughing every day, and I never felt alone.

Just having someone to talk to, to celebrate the milestones with, to drag me out of the house or take the baby for half an hour while I studied, made everything so much bearable. 

Your close friends will always remind you of how far you have come, and how much you have achieved. Equally they will ways tell you when to suck it up, stop whining and get on with it.

Get inspired

Talk to other young mothers about what they love about motherhood and how they deal with it. If you can find other women that have been in the same boat as you then that's a massive bonus too.

Always remember that nothing is impossible, and if I can do it, then you most definitely can too. If someone had told me on the day I looked down at that positive test, that I would graduate twice, marry my baby’s father and go on to have another two children while starting my own two businesses, I would have laughed in their face.

Just take it one day at a time, stay focused and remember that as long as you are doing everything in your power to be a strong role model for your child, you are doing a brilliant job.

We did it!

Graduating again with my daughter and a PGCE

The amazing friends that got me through

I'm turning into my Mother!

I seem to have reached a point in my life, where every time a catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror, I am greeted by my mothers face.

Now this isn't a bad thing. My Mum is quite a looker. I just didn't realise that this transformation would happen so early on. I have recently caught myself saying a few of the phrases that she often said to me. Here are a few examples:

1. 'Don't put that there, you might burn the house down!' 

My Mum is an anxious woman, she finds the danger in ANY situation and worries 100% of the time. But she's often right. Don't put snow globes in the window. Just don't.

2. 'I'm not coming back to it' (general house mess)

Totally get this one. I say it at least 5 times a day. Coming back to a messy house sucks.

3. 'Let me just whip the hoover round a minute'

4. 'Can you just run upstairs and get me ................ your legs are younger than mine'

My Mother was in her twenties. Her knees were fine! We are both just a bit lazy.

5. 'You know I love you, but I need a night off'

I hated it when my Mum used to go out every once in a blue moon (massive separation anxiety). I'm so lucky that it doesn't bother the girls when I go out. They are usually glad to see the back of me!

6. 'Shut your eyes Dan'

This was usually said during the sex scene in Dirty Dancing, or the bits in the Indiana Jones films when the baddies were being killed. Although Mum thought she was protecting me it actually terrified me. After watching those films as an adult I now know that what I was imagining, was far worse than what was actually taking place on screen! 

I usually explain to Bella that if something begins to frighten her on screen it is up to her to turn it off or shut her own eyes. I also don't force her to watch films like THE GREMLINS.Yes Mother, I'm talking to you.

7. 'I'll tell you when you're older'

I was usually met with this when asking about anything of a sexual nature. Usually when Bella asks questions we try to be as honest as possible in a manner that is appropriate to her level of understanding. That way she will grow up knowing that she can ask us anything.

8. 'Right, I'm phoning Santa!'

I pulled this one out a few times last November. Not my finest moments.

9. 'Did you wash your hands properly?'

10. 'Don't eat that, you'll get worms

11. 'We aren't going out until it's done'

Usually homework or cleaning.

12. 'I'm going to count to three. One.....'

Mum never even used to have to say 'one' to be honest! Usually it was just that look, the Mum look, and that was that. Best behaviour.

13. 'Gimme a minute'

14. 'Stop showing off'

15. 'Use your indoor voice please'

Why are children so loud? Their hearing is better than ours isn't it? And yet they shout everything!

16. (Going into a shop) 'Don't. Touch . Anything'

I have added 'if you break anything, we will have to trade you', seems to work.

17. 'What do you look like?'

18. Don't you talk to me like that.

19. Excuse me,  who is the Mother in this relationship?'

Imagine Ewina and Saphie from Absolutely Fabulous and you've pretty much got our relationship in a nutshell. If you don't know what I'm talking about, Google it. You're in for a world of joy.

20. 'I'm sorry'

My Mum wasn't always perfect and neither am I, but she always admitted her mistakes and apologised and this is something I always try to do. I always knew how loved I was because my Mum was always strong enough to say sorry and remind me. She showed me how to take responsibility for my mistakes and move forward. She also taught me about forgiveness.

21. 'I love you'

There was not one single day that went by during my childhood when my Mum didn't tell me that she loved me. She told me first thing in the morning and last thing at night. She kissed me, cuddled me and made sure that I always knew how much I meant to her. She still tells me every time We talk and I tell her. Knowing that there will always be someone on the planet that truly loves you that much, is really all you need to get by in life.

22. 'I am so proud of you'

Mum usually tells me this just before I achieve something I have been working towards. It's often the little nudge I need to get there. It was and still is her way of saying, 'I'm already proud of you, so you can never fail in my eyes. But keep going because I believe in you'.

I have so much to thank my mother for. She had me young, raised me by herself and worked hard every single day. She survived helping get me through university with a baby. She endured some pretty horrendous verbal abuse during both of my labours and has always supported Steve and I. 

She set an incredible example from the moment I was born and a standard that I hope I will live up to.

Now we are both adults and our relationship is so different. We laugh our buts off whenever we are together and still argue like cat and dog. Even though we are both married now, she is still my very best friend and a wonderful Nan to Bella and Connie, and I now have a Mum and a Dad that I love with all my heart.

My Mum and Step Dad Ben

Mum's wedding - I never thought I would be a bridesmaid with my own daughter!

My Mum gave me away in Feb When Steve and I finally got married.

This is me on a log flume at the tender age of two. My Mum is the one wearing peach. Nice work Mum!

Dignity – To wax or not to wax? That is the question.

“It’s okay Dan, they’ve seen it all before. “ This was my response to Dan when she asked if I could come into the bathroom and help her with some personal grooming (she had not seen the lower half of herself for about three months and  was beginning to feel a bit cross). With only a week or two away from her due date Danielle wanted to make sure everything was in order and my response was unsatisfactory to say the least.

Dignity. Everyone has it and everyone likes to keep it. No one likes to feel like they are losing it, but unfortunately becoming a growing transportation device for a baby and then being made to push said baby out of your downstairs, must, I can only imagine, make feel you a little low.

To put this in perspective for those who have not experienced being pregnant, Danielle had told me to remember how deflated I felt when I increased a jean size. I couldn’t say I was a slim teenager any more, I had just gained weight and my jeans were an everyday reminder that I had started to expand horizontally. Now if you were to times this feeling of rubbish by about ten and imagine your clothes size increasing not once but at least twice you might nearly be there. Then imagine the feeling of realising that the

one item of clothing you spent a whole day trying to find, that actually fitted your growing middle, suddenly also does not fit you any more. It all sucks a bit. To say the least!

Danielle taught me a lot about dignity during her pregnancy. She had a way of making herself look awesome all the time, she did things that gave her a sense of self-esteem and strength. Now being a man I could remove all the good in the room in a blink of an eye by saying throwaway comments such as ‘yeah you look fine’, or ‘come on we are running late’. Then I would spend the rest of the day wondering what the hell I had done wrong and why she would be so grumpy with me (if you decide to say its hormones, we will all mourn your untimely death you fool).

So to help partners and friends who wish to live a little longer during your partners/friends pregnancy, during the labour and after the birth I have put out a couple of key pointers. If I was taught these before Danielle got pregnant I would of probably not received the flying phone book to the head or the days of deathly silence:

1.     Make a concise effort to remind your partner everyday of how beautiful she looks. I can hear you all moan at this, ‘Steve, we can only say you look beautiful so much until it wears off.’ Well this is the twist, be inventive, how many times have you caught someone checking you out or when you have felt like crap and someone hugs you. You know that feeling, that little smile you get. That is what she needs, not a sonnet every morning (although one every so often helps). Keep physical contact at a high, even if it is just holding hands. Her body is changing and she just needs you there to remind her how beautiful she is and that you still love and care. Do say she looks beautiful too, especially when she has spent an hour shoehorning herself into that dress. She will love you for it.

2.    Go clothes, shoe, book, underwear, anything  shopping (before you moan, it’s only for 9 months and the pain of going around shops is not as uncomfortable as gestating a baby, so stop whinging and get on with it.) I was told retail therapy helps a person feel good about themselves and after giving this a go I can tell you I am living testament that this works. Just a couple of hours going around shops and showing a bit of interest helps. You might end up only buying a £5 pair of pumps, but it isn’t all about the shoes, it’s about feeling human and restoring self-esteem. Some people go into themselves when their body changes and they have no control, remember puberty….?

3.    Help with all the things that are going to be awkward, from putting shoes on to personal grooming. Quite simply, you try strapping a basketball to your stomach and shaving your legs, with a half blunt razor without cutting yourself. Not easy.

4.   Take them out on dates or to places, remind them of the person they were before they got pregnant. They will be changing so much during the pregnancy and will change so much after giving birth. Reminding them of who they are and what they enjoy is important. This won’t just help them but will help your relationship remain strong and positive.

5.     Help ease all and any pains they may feel, foot rubs, back massages. These don’t have to be wondrously complicated ordeals (massage table, candles, oils, that sort of thing) just a squeeze and a rub for 5 - 10 minutes can help take things off your partners mind and help them relax. Again carrying a 25kg bag of cement on your stomach all day leaves you sore and since you are probably the one who put it there you owe her that much.

6.   Get a stock full of comfortable nighties (not for you). These are for the labour and birth. Danielle always had two, one for labour/birth and one for after the birth (this was not even enough). Remind yourself she has just pushed something out of her whilst screaming through spittle covered lips and sweated more than you would if you were in a Sauna with all of the Swedish (male/female, your preference) beach volleyball team. The last thing she will want to do after having a shower is to get back into the same blood, wee, pooh stained nightie. You could even go out and choose a nice set as a gift to her - then she can feel lovely in all of those first photos and when family come to visit.

Have a wash bag prepped and ready for her first shower after the birth (I guess this one will be for partners only). The first thing she will want to do after the labour is wash her hair and body and she will need your help with this because she will probably still be in pain and may not be able to stand up staight. Although there are seats in the showers, she will probably still need to lean on you, so you are going to end up getting a bit wet too! This first shower after labour is a messy one (best to let you know now) if she worries, reassure her that none of it bothers you, and that all you want to do is clean her up and get her back to her snuggly bed. Help her get dresses and dry her hair and get back to feeling a bit normal.

7.    After the birth just hold her and remind her how amazing she is, try not to go into the gory details of how she weed in the doctors eye or how her face turned so blue she looked like that one from Charlie and the Chocolate factory. She does not need to be reminded of these feats just yet. You can save those stories for later, right now you need to make her happy, give her the warm fuzzy feeling of pride and joy.

Being pregnant is a journey that is to be shared with your partner/friend, not a trip one should take alone. Both times Danielle was pregnant, she has been surrounded by people who care, support and love her. We have all been through the wringer on this and the one thing I can honestly say is it has brought us all closer together. 

Steve

Do you have to go back to school Bella?

So me being me (Dan that is) I didn't realise that Bella goes back to school tomorrow until roughly 6 o' clock this evening. Here is a list of things that I still haven't done and need to do by tomorrow morning:

• Wash and dry Bella's P.E kit.
• Pack her school bag
• Iron and lay out her uniform
• Add the finishing touches to her home learning project
• Give her a hair wash
• oh, and nip to Clarks to have her measured for new school shoes - as she has suddenly gone up a whole foot size over the past two weeks and has no shoes.

In typical fashion, I have left everything to the very last minute - although in my defense, I really did think that she went back on Tuesday.

We managed to finish off the holidays beautifully, with a trip to Nanny's house for a BBQ and some gardening (from April onward this is usually how we spend most of our Sundays).

The girls spent a good chunk of time planting poppies with my Mum while Steve and I had an epic game of swing ball. I won obviously, because my sporting skills are far superior to Steve's.(She thinks - Steve.)

Just before leaving Mum's, I realised that we hadn't even started Bella's home learning project so we literally had to speed through making a night time garden for Princess Leia (the spec was to make a fairy/pirate garden, but Bella really was not up for either.) She decided to build Princess Leia a light saber space garden on the moon. Not sure what her teacher is going to say but hey ho, the learning was there.

Anyway, other than this weekend's bunny disaster, I really do think that our Easter holidays have been a success. 

We spent a grand total of £26.57 on entertaining Bella, Connie and most of their friends, and they all seem to have had an amazing time. 

In all truthfulness, we did spend more last Friday. I think in total I spent roughly £12.00 that day, my reason being that Bella's rabbits had just been viciously killed, and helping her to smile again was more important than any blog or challenge. We all needed cake, and we needed it fast.

So, over the past two and a bit weeks and with under £30.00 (nearly) we have managed to......

• Spend the day travelling to Neverland on the Jolly Roger 
• Go on a charity shop shopping spree
• Build a natural and pretty beautiful Easter tree while also creating all of the decorations
• Create two pretty awesome Easter Egg hunts
• Take a trip to the Natural History Museum
• Visit the Queen
• Dressed up as all of our favourite Disney characters
• Walk across London
• Enjoy a stunning picnic in Richmond Park
• Create culinary delights such as home made scones, pizzas, cup cakes, fry ups and smoothies, all the while learning new skills and recipes
• Participated in our very own bake off
• Explored the garden and researched plants and bugs
• Brought the story 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' to life for Connie
• Spent half a day in Waterstones reading, playing and colouring
• Had a whopping great duvet day
• Enjoyed several play dates
• Created our own version of London fashion week in our back garden
• Played photographers and gone on a fashion shoot
• Written letters to pen pals
• Created our own trip to the zoo
• Ferociously cleaned the house
• Made Nanny's Garden beautiful
• Created a light up garden for Princess Leia!

The challenge hasn't been plain sailing. Copious amounts of strong coffee and chocolate were required, and there were days when I really did struggle to think up things that we could do that would keep Bella and Connie entertained for under £3.00. 

I have found that it really does pay to be as ridiculous and imaginative as possible. Our best days have really been the ones where we didn't spend a single penny. 

We have spent more time together as a family during this particular end of term break, than during any of Bella's other school breaks so far, and I really do think that this has been because we have had to rely more upon each other for entertainment and ideas. We have spoken more and laughed more and the whole experience has been far more positive. The challenge has helped us to involve Bella in far more of our decision making throughout the past two weeks. Bella has always been far more engaged in activities that she thought up herself, all we have had to do is go with her ideas and see where they take us.

Having a smaller budget has forced me to have to plan our days in advance, therefore removing the stress of having to figure out where to go or what to do at the last minute.

We have taken packed lunches and picnics with us to wherever we have gone in order to save money, and as a result, our diet has been far more healthy throughout the whole break. Normally our diet slips a little during the holidays, as our routine often suffers and we start to rely on convenience foods a little, but we really have been strict and bought only what we would have spent on our usual weekly food shop.

I am actually a bit gutted that Bella is going back to school tomorrow, I can honestly say I have loved every minute of her being with me (even if I am a little exhausted). I really can't wait for the Summer holidays now - I have a pretty good idea of how much I will need each day to get us through - I think I will just need to plan the weeks carefully and have everything ready before hand.

We hope that you have enjoyed the challenge, and that it has been of some use to you. 

Now it's on to working through that list of ours with a nice glass of red each to get us through! 

Night all.

Fail to prepare, prepare to........be covered in vomit.

So you have had your little bundle of joy in your life for about 2 years now, and boy have you learnt a lot in that short space of time. You are a pro at this parenting thing. You look at your past 'new parent self' the person who had prepared every small detail before the arrival of their baby. Who always made sure that there were at least 300 nappies in the house (and car) and 20 packets of wipes. The person who packed emergency changes of clothes, anti-bacterial gel and towels for those 'just in case' moments. When you think back to that person you smile smugly and may even chuckle a bit. All those preparations you made when they first arrived,  have now either been used, put to one side or buried under a mountain of other random crap (mainly generated by your not so tiny bundle).

You now live each day as it comes, dashing to the shops just minutes before they close to get an emergency packet of wipes because your little one has just done a poop so horrifically violent that it has shot up the back of their baby grow and is now in their hair. Or digging through the cess pit (formally known as your boot) at 6.30am in order to find a clean nappy.

As your children grow older, you get used to their day to day traits and have become quite skilled at keeping them clean enough to get by in polite circles. The over preparation (as you now see it) has now become a thing of the past, half because you feel that you no longer need to do it, and half because you simply no longer have the time. The only situations that seem to truly require over preparation, are holidays or weddings.  But for those small trips to the super market or  into town.... HA! You laugh in the face of danger. You know you will get to the shops and back in under an hour and will get by with 3 wipes and a semi clean Starbucks napkin. You know that car journey will take only 20 minutes and that there are supplies at your destination should you need them.

Then it happens, the little snot-bag you call your beloved decides to drop the mother load. No nappy without cast iron straps and webbing is going to hold in what they have decided to produce. Or it's worse than you could have predicted and you look to the back seat of your car to find that your little darling has not only covered them selves in vomit, but their sister and the lovely bouquet of flowers you were taking to their grandparent's house as a gift. "Sorry Nan, we were bringing you flowers and chocolates but all we now have for you is two very smelly children (one who is now wearing a bed sheet as a toga as  it was all that we could find in the boot of our car) and a box of chocolates that must never EVER be opened".

When these moments happen and you ask yourself where did all the 'just in case' supplies go? Where is that bag full of spare clothing, the spare nappies, the baby wipes and all the other emergency items. You know the one you packed when you made that first terrifying journey out of the house with your newborn.

Then you kick yourself as you remember when you used all the 'just in case' supplies for the times you were too tired or lazy to get some more (cue slow patronising clap offered by passed self).

We have all been there, and those who are new to the game, you will be there too one day, stood at the side of a main road trying to decide what will soak up the most vomit - your brand new t shirt or that pillow case that has somehow managed to find it's way into your boot.

Never underestimate your child's ability to throw you into a complete flap. They let you believe that they have a manageable routine that leads you into a false sense of security. It's all a facade my friend, don't fall for it! Learn from our mistakes (today's mistakes in actual fact - as Dan and I sit here writing this, shell shocked in our pajamas after having scrubbed ourselves clean with more antibacterial soap than you can shake a stick at).

Pack an emergency bucket for the house AND the car, and once it is packed LEAVE IT! Treat it a bit like a first aid kit and replenish it when stocks are low. Going by our experience you will need:

Alcohol gel

A towel you don't mind binning after use and/or a roll of kitchen towel

Nappies (make sure you get the next size up!)

Wipes

Carrier bags

Rubber gloves (for the faint hearted)

Dust masks (this one seems OTT but you will still need to get home and so will be stuck in a small box that stinks of vomit and your little one probably won't want the windows open with the wind blowing in his or her face).

Child's size baggy t-shirts

Child's toothbrush and toothpaste (we find these really help our older one to feel a bit better).

Keep this in your car at all times and hopefully you won't ever have to go through what we went through today!

Danielle and Steve.

P.S

Sorry it has been a while, this whole parenting thing has sort of taken over a bit lately!

Baker Days FREE CAKE Competition

                                             How do you fancy a free cake?!? 

The Accidental Parent Guide have teamed up with Baker Days in order to give you the chance to win a free letter box cake. 

The lucky winner will be invited to design their own cake and choose it's flavour. The cake will then be sent out to the winner via first class mail.

To enter, simply like and share this post.

If you are feeling particularly lovely you could also follow us on Twitter - @accidentlparent and like our Facebook Page!

 

 

 

 

Cake Delivery and Packaging

 

Will my cake be fresh ?

By golly, yes it will. Our cakes are good for at least 2 weeks though they need to be stored in a cool dry place but not in a fridge. They are not suitable for home freezing.

..and in perfect condition?

Absolutely! We have developed special packaging that will protect the cake through the rigours of national and international travel. We guarantee you will receive your cake in perfect condition or your money back!

How much time should I allow for delivery? And will it get there on time?

Your order is likely to arrive much faster if you use a postcode. You can check that you have the correct postcode by using the Royal Mail's handy postcode finder available at  www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode. To state the obvious, we are not responsible for the accuracy of the Royal Mail's postcode finder . It is your responsibility to ensure that the delivery address you provide for any order you place is correct.

In almost every case, it is delivered bang on time. Neither we, nor any delivery service that we use, shall be liable for any failure to perform Services where such failure or delay results from any circumstances outside our reasonable control; these circumstances include but are not limited to adverse weather conditions (such as snow, flood and extreme winds), fire, explosion, accident, traffic congestion, obstruction of any private or public highway, riot, terrorism, act of God, or industrial dispute or strike.

It’s therefore always a good idea to allow an extra day or two for delivery just in case.

What if It’s a Surprise Gift?

Don’t worry, if it’s a surprise, you can add your own optional message to the outside of the parcel ie. “No peeking until your birthday”. Always better a day or two early than a day late !

See more at: http://www.bakerdays.com/

Well that's Father's day sorted!

Are you struggling to decide what to buy for Dad this Father’s Day – we have found him the perfect gift, and don’t worry, you won’t even need to leave the house (or office, or school) to buy and send it!

Last week, we were contacted by a fab new company ‘Baker Days’, who make fun and delicious cakes that can be sent anywhere.

We thought we would try them out on your behalf, and ordered a personalised Father’s Day ‘letter box’ cake for Steve.

Now at first I’ll admit that I was slightly concerned about the idea of a delicate cake being dropped through my letter box, and could only imagining opening up a small box of crunched up cake pulp, but it wasn’t the case!

Upon opening the neat little parcel, I was met with a host of little treats. The cake itself had been neatly packed into a beautiful tin (complete with a genius little ‘strong tab’ to help with easy removal) and surrounded by a delicate protective covering. The cake itself was in perfect condition, with not one single bump, snag or dent.

The cake itself was beautiful. I had chosen a picture of a handyman carpenter and had the wording personalised with a little message from Bella and Connie (I would have popped a picture up, but the cake was demolished by Steve and the girls as soon as it was opened).

The cake comes with some lovely little extras that no little party would be complete without. Alongside our cake was a party pack containing balloons, party horns and a birthday card. For me though, the best little treat was having a new little cake tin to keep!

It was a bit of a naughty treat for us as we gave up sugar a little while ago – but we had to have a little try on your behalf! The cake tasted delicious – it was fluffy and tasty and defiantly tasted better than any shop bought birthday cake I have ever tried. We went for the gluten free sponge, but they also make vanilla, chocolate, fruit, half & half and dairy free.

Baker Days make cakes in all shapes and sizes, our letter box cake was 5”, but the company can send cakes as large as 12”. They also make cupcakes which come with a lovely stand and you can even send personalised balloons and banners to really get the party started.

I am so glad that Baker Days contacted us, as we will definitely be using the company to send cakes to our friends and family in the future. After all, who doesn’t love cake??

We are hoping that they start making a sugar free cake soon so that we can order more of them for ourselves. Go and take a look at their website and have a look at their brilliant creations. They really do have a cake for everything!

Father's day cakes



Cup cakes of joy



Birthday cakes