13 Favourite Photos
My Favourite photos
In no particular order whatsoever (how could I ever choose?!) here are my 13 favourite photos, some taken by me, and some not! But all of them represent a special moment or people.
1) Lochlan
I'm sure I could actually just list 13 favourite photos of him in the 3 months he's been in the World, but this one is pretty special! He just looks so tiny and peaceful and cute! I can't believe how much my life has changed since he was born, and I can't imagine life without him now! You spend a long time wondering what it would be like to be a Mum, and then the moment you are, you can't imagine not being one!
2) Me and my sister
I have a different mum to my brother and sister, so we obviously grew up apart and even lost touch for too many years. Growing up I longed to have her with me like 'normal' sisters, and I cherish the time I do get to spend with her.
Here we are at her wedding two years ago, where I was thrilled and honoured to be one of her bridesmaids.
3) Me and Star
I adore this photo! Star is my chestnut arab and a bit of a dream pony for me. I'm horsey thanks to my mum and as a little girl I always wanted an arab as they're so pretty. We have a great bond and I'm really looking forward to competing him this year. Look at that face!
**Note - it is compulsory in the UK to wear a riding hat if you are under the age of 16.
4) Country Life
My dachshund Hugo looks so happy in this photo trotting along, he looks like he's floating! Winnie, who was just a puppy at the time also seems to be enjoying the basket!
5) My Dad
My dad was estranged from me for most of my life and died when I was 27, 4 years ago. But now I choose to remember him for the 'good bits' and not dwell on the bad, and often share our story so that no one else has to go through losing a loved one and regretting the things you never said. I love this picture, it captures him entirely, from the pipe that was attached to him, to the fact that he's on a yacht which is where he spent his life.
6) My Bump
I didn't plan to take this photo, I was just dressing one day and realised I hadn't really got any photos of me pregnant and I didn't want to regret that. About a week later I popped it on Instagram on a whim and received some lovely comments. I didn't always love being pregnant (I had terrible nausea and evil heartburn as well as not being able to drive or sit up for the last 2 months!) but I did love knowing that I was harbouring this precious little life of the baby I'd always dreamed of. I smile now whenever I see another pregnant lady remembering that magical feeling.
7) Mine and Lochy's first photo
This was taken on my 31st birthday when Lochy was 2 days old and we were still in hospital. I hadn't slept in weeks but I was happy as larry!
8) Tobey and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
In another life I worked in conservation and due to my love of animals and nature I then went on to complete a BSc Hons degree in Animal Science. When I was a teenager I remember watching BBC's Orangutan Diaries and saying 'I want to work with orangutans', I'm amazed now that I actually achieved this incredible dream, especially as I know how hard it is seeing as theres literally thousands of people that want to do it. Fate massively played a part in this for me. I'm so grateful for the experience and the memories, I have from that time and believe me, this is just one of many amazing photos I have from the total of about 8 months that I spent at Sepilok, in Malaysian Borneo.
Saya rindu Tobey!
9) My graduation
I'll tell you a secret - I hated my graduation. Don't let the smile fool you, the amount of times I nearly burst into tears that day is countless. (I had no one to come with me where class mates had several, and they discussed the graduation presents they got where I had nothing - not that its about presents but its nice to know your loved ones are proud of you). I also felt very ignored by a lot of my friends on the day, only making me feel more alone.
But I did it, after 3 years and some serious ups and downs I bloody got that scroll (FYI, you don't actually get a scroll, its a prop!) I also got a First for my dissertation on slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) behaviour and never had any help or support outside of uni! Go me! Now I know I can achieve anything I want (and its also much better if I try not to procrastinate!) And thats what this photo represents (also - hair goals!)
10) Hugo
Ah my first born son! Having a dachshund was a dream come true and I literally couldn't be without him, the little dreamboat! He's like my shadow and is the sweetest boy in the world (I mean look at those eyes!)
11) My brother and sister
More from the aforementioned wedding! I love them lots!
12) Star
Here's my gorgeous horse again! This is his best 'blue steel' look (which actually translates as "Have you got any mints?!") Theres a lot of redheads in my life as you can see!
13) My wee cousins
I have two particularly beautiful second cousins called Hamish and Fergus (above) you can tell we're of Scottish decent, reddish hair and names like Lochlan, Fergus and Hamish!
Sadly I don't get to see the boys or their gorgeous mummy, my cousin Morag, very often as they live in Western Australia. But I've been so taken with them and they massively made me won't a little boy of my own (even more than I already did). Now that I have lochy of course I love this photo because I didn't know what was a couple of years around the corner!
So there we have it, a little snippet of my life and some lovely memories for me. I hope you enjoy them, and please do leave a comment if you fancy it - I love reading them!
Mama x
