Pick Me Up! Special Best Of 2 2018

It’s possible that the thought of having your labour filmed fills you with horror! Holly (pg8) let her hubby record every moment of their baby’s birth and she shared it online, but it’s helped countless mums. Helping others is why Ashley (pg31) is sharing an upsetting photograph of her nephew Lennon. She hopes you pay attention to their stark warning. We’ve fallen in love with Lisa’s talented daughter Eva this month (pg24). Lisa saw Eva’s potential from the second she was born and now she’s proving that being different shouldn’t stop you from having the same opportunities. Huey is another smart little kid (pg55). His mum is still trying to work out how her three-year-old boy managed to save the day – and her life. Spare a thought for Christina…

Save me some of that, too! My niece Dana is beyond excited as she was about to dive into this delicious frozen yoghurt. She loved it, but it was a bit too much for her, so I got to finish it off! Kate, Warrington Pulling a right face I love playing the game Speak Out with my nephew Stephen. He makes me laugh so much! Caroline, Plymouth She's such a little diva! Even breakfast takes a lot of effort sometimes! But at least my daughter Eva is ready for some sun! Lisa, Huddersfield Inspirational reading Even though this book is meant for kids, I think it applies to grown-ups, too! I love reading it every now and then for a bit of inspiration. Eloise, Bradford Swinging into action I love…

I had blood poisoning and a flesh-eating bug As I ran around the court, I tried to duck out of the way, but I wasn’t quite quick enough. ‘Oww!’ I cried, clutching my chest as a foam ball came at me, hitting me with full force. ‘You OK?’ a teammate yelled. ‘Yeah, fine,’ I said, dusting myself off and carrying on with our game of dodgeball. I’d never played the sport before, but I decided to give it a go with some colleagues from the office after work. The next morning, my muscles ached. My chest was a little sore and I felt unwell. ‘I think I’m coming down with a cold,’ I groaned to my workmates, knocking back a couple of paracetamol. It was awful timing. My husband,…

I CRY EVERY TIME I WATCH IT BACK As I sat on the sofa stroking my growing bump, I wondered what it would be like when labour started. I knew it was time I started putting a birth plan together, but it all seemed so daunting. ‘I think I’d like a water birth,’ I said to my hubby Stephen, who’s known as Skinner. ‘Sounds good to me,’ he agreed. I even thought that Skinner, 32, could join me in the birthing pool so that we could share the whole birthing experience as a couple. After finding out I was pregnant, he was so excited, he’d started vlogging as ‘Nomadi Daddy’ on YouTube and Facebook. We filmed lots of videos of our adventures while I was pregnant – everything from going…

Some people expect peace and quiet when they retire – not me! In fact, me and my wife Jean, 87, had a house full of noise, chatter, and the pitter-patter of tiny feet. ‘Jimmy's a good boy,' you can often hear said in our home. But Jimmy isn't our grandchild – he's a budgie! Spotting him at a breeder's, we couldn't help but laugh. The nine-week old chick was strutting around like he owned the place. We knew he was the one for us. Back home, our bossy bird would parade up and down his cage, staring at the latch. ‘Let's give him a little freedom,' Jean said. But as soon as I inched the door open, he was off – swooping through the hall. After that, we didn't have…

Sarah Swift, 44, Wakefield Heaving my son's pram through the nursery door, I was spluttering and wheezing. As the other parents turned to see what the commotion was, I was mortified. I'd only just walked about 20 metres from the car… Trying to ignore the stares, I heaved my two-year-old son, Aran, out of the pushchair and onto the floor. It was September 2001, and I was excited about getting Aran settled in to nursery. But as I watched the other parents chase their kids around, I felt ashamed. At 17st and 5ft 5in, there was no denying it – I was the fattest mum in the room. I was healthy as a teen, but at 18, I met Jim. We soon became a couple and I fell into a…