Tiny Gentlemen
I’ve talked briefly in the past about the shock of finding out we were expecting a boy when we were pregnant with Ollie. I had always imagined a daughter, convinced those little flutters were coming from baby ‘Rose’.
I was so relived and excited when we were told our baby was growing healthily at the 20 week scan. When the sonographer asked us if we’d like to know the sex, we held hands tightly and said
…”Yes”…
We all gazed at the screen in anticipation as she poked at my tummy. I could almost hear the words before she said them. I was certain I was looking at my baby girl.
…’’I think its a boy”…she said.
I immediately thought there was a mistake, she hadn’t looked properly.
…”You think it’s a boy? So perhaps it’s a girl?” …
…”Err no, It’s a boy.’… she said with certainty, circling a blurry mark on the screen.
I was speechless.
I remember looking at Colin in confusion. He looked worried.
That night I found myself awake at 1am, sobbing into Colin’s chest. I sobbed not because I was having a boy, I sobbed because I had to say goodbye to the little girl I had imagined so clearly.
I always feel so terribly guilty for those feelings looking back and it’s a difficult thing to share for fear of sounding ungrateful for such a blessing.
Of course, I was beyond grateful for a healthy pregnancy and the little boy who would make me a Mama, but I honestly believe I needed to grieve this little girl that I’d dreamed of all my life.
Thankfully, the next morning, all of those feelings of loss had washed away. ‘Rose’ was now an ‘Ollie’ and I was deeply in love with him already.
It seemed we weren’t the only ones expecting a girl though, every time we shared the news that we were expecting a baby boy with friends, family and colleagues, we were met with looks of disbelief….everyone was so certain I would be a ‘girl mum’.
Twenty weeks later, Our Little Ollie arrived, the sparkly bouncing baby boy of our dreams, the absolute apple of our eyes and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
We knew what we were doing with boys, thanks to Archie. He was another perfect little man and I so enjoyed everything about being a ‘boy-mama’. He was, and still is, a very stereotypical ‘mummy’s boy’, affectionate, easy-going with the happiest smile!! I fully embraced his love of tractors and cars, the building blocks, the train tracks and the fascination with cardboard boxes.
There was just one thing I found a little tricky about being a ‘mother of boys’…dressing him!!
I wonder if this is something that other boy-mums can relate to?
I would often feel so disappointed with the little boys clothing section in stores and online. I didn’t want him to look like a teenager in monochrome beanies and hoodies, but colourful cartoon inspired prints didn’t feel right either.
I spent so much money ordering things online, only to be disappointed that I still didn’t feel like they were right for him when we put them on. But I persisted. I wanted to find ‘our style’.
So here we are, a couple of years later…
I now have three handsome boys to dress, and I can confirm that I LOVE dressing them all! I say they are my ‘mini gentlemen’ and I hope that’s how they look.
I try to choose smart, well-made and practical clothes for them that will stand the test of time. I know that if I choose classic things, they will never go out of style and I’ll be able to pass on to Rory and friends babies too. Some of their favourite clothes I even intend to keep in our memory boxes, because I adore the thought of holding on to their tiny clothes when they are grown men.
One of my favourite stores to purchase their clothes is Monsoon. I actually only discovered Monsoon’sbeautiful boys collection last Christmas when a friend recommended I try there for a red bow-tie for Ollie. It’s everything I love about children’s wear. Timeless and smart but with cute little additions that prevent our littles from looking too grown up.
I was absolutely delighted when Monsoon kindly asked me to choose an Autumn/Winter outfit for the boys and myself for this post and I’m so so thrilled with how the outfits came together. Boys really do look their most handsome wrapped up in layers and winter coats.
I adore the matching Navy Duffle Coats so classic and the perfect blend of structure and softness for an Autumn Day. Ollie’s tiny Brogues that he never wants to take off and Rory’s cosy and comfortable grey Knit from head to toe.
Give me a boy to dress any day…I could not be prouder of my little gentlemen!
Ollie Wears:
(there’s currently 30% off all coats and boots!)
Nicky Navy Duffle Coat
Harrison Waitcost and Shirt set
Ruben Trousers
Brody Badger Jumper
Little boy Brogues
Toby Cable Scarf
Toby Cable Stripe Beany Hat
I’m wearing:
(There’s currently 30% off all coats and boots!)
Rosemary Coat
Fliss Fair isle Jumper
Nep Marl Coatigan
Serina Smart Brogue Riding Boots
Rinse Wash Jeans
Eife East West Leather Shopping Bag
Fairisle Scarf
Nalani Knot Stitch Sparkle Beany Hat
Bessie Brushed Metalic Stripe Hat
I’m proud to say that this post is a sponsored byMonsoon . All thoughts and words are my own.
A big thank you to my incredibly talented friend Lydia Harper Photography for capturing these gorgeous images from a morning at Hampton Court Gardens last week.
