Sarah + Laura

We had such a wonderful weekend! We went to a tribute band festival (@fakefestivals), celebrated Father's Day in Stratford and spent the whole time together. Bring on the next one! Did you get up to anything fun? (at Birmingham, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/By0pqLdBLBg/?igshid=mpnkz93l0fdj

The littlest unicorn 🦄 Our hope for you in your first Pride month 🏳️‍🌈 is that you always feel proud to have your two Mummies, and are as proud of your family as we are. We will work hard to show you that there are so many different types of families, and that all are valid, and equal - that the most important thing that makes a family is love. 💕 And most importantly, we will raise you to know that you can be whoever you want to be, you can be interested in whatever (and whomever!) you like, not just what people say girls *should* like, and to know that you always have us in your corner. 💗 https://www.instagram.com/p/ByV6YiRBCZF/?igshid=1mogyrb7jbanv

It's officially Pride season! 🏳️‍🌈 We attended @birminghampridefestival today as a family of unicorns 🦄🦄🦄 (plus rainbow Bisbee, of course!🏳️‍🌈🐕) - Annabelle loved her first ever Pride, she was really interested in all the floats, music and the people! As usual, Bisbee stole the show and got the most fuss at the parade, I'm sure she was pleased to not have been usurped by her sister! 🐶 We always try to visit as many Prides each year as possible- we can't get enough of this full rainbow of people just getting together to be themselves, protest and celebrate! It's so important to our culture as LGBT people, and so wonderful to expose Annabelle to so many different people from unique walks of life. 🏳️‍🌈 Today's Pride was lead by L's friend Andrew Moffat, who is the teacher who created the No Outsiders programme that is currently being protested by Muslim parents at the school he teaches at in Birmingham. It was emotional to see him at the front of the parade arm in arm with Muslim allies. Hope everyone celebrating this weekend has an amazing, safe and unforgettable experience! Which Prides are you attending this year? 🌈 (at Birmingham Pride) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5dsHQBXhB/?igshid=68dpg2bijyky

It's Mental Health Awareness Week 💛, so I thought I'd share something I haven't before to many people at all in my life or online - my struggles with depression and anxiety. My last year of high school, I became a complete mess. I don't remember what triggered it really, I actually don't remember a lot from that entire year. My friends since have told me things that happened I had completely blocked out! I know part of it was that I got my first proper boyfriend, (who, side note, it turned out to nobody's surprise except mine was gay and came out/dumped me only 2 weeks before prom, but that's another story!) and he lied a lot - not things that mattered really, but he would tell wild stories that were obviously not true, and it ended up putting me at odds with a lot of my friends. My best friend (who now calls herself my platonic 'starter girlfriend' 😂) tried to get me to see how ridiculous he was, but instead we ended up not speaking for most of the year. (She'd obviously not seen The Bachelor or she'd know, the girl who tries to warn the Bachelor of someone not there 'for the right reasons' ALWAYS goes home 🌹) It wasn't his fault of course, but whatever happened within me that year, I went from an overachieving straight A student to one had to transfer out of calculus to avoid failing it, I was anxious, depressed, isolated from some of my friends and a total nightmare for my parents. I tried a few different medications, which did help manage it, but I just didn't know who I was or what I wanted to do with my life, which meant that things didn't really get better. I went off to university in a different state, but struggled to adjust and to live a happy and productive life. At spring break that year I just packed everything into my car and drove home, at very little notice. My parents then sent me to a life coach, to see if I could get some direction and some help that wasn't just medicated. And honestly, that was the very best thing they could have done for me. I loved my sessions there, she made me feel heard and valid, and it was her who first suggested I save up to move to England. (Continued in comments, woah longer than expected!) 💙 (at Wythall) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxiTm3RhD4d/?igshid=z5m7o8t25w3q

Since Sarah's been back at work, our time as a family has been cut in half, maybe even quartered. That means any quality time we have together is extra special now! These two little girls make us laugh until our cheeks hurt, we run around after them so much I'm surprised we aren't complete slim jims, and sometimes totally pull our hair out! And we wouldn't have it any other way 💙 (at Birmingham, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxdMoabB7m4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16l6ces4hz0kz

Dancing through life with you 💐 {⬅️Swipe} We always like to learn a little bit of the language, wherever we travel to - it helps us feel more local, and happy that we can make an effort to interact with people in their own language. So we thought we would pass on a tiny bit of Norwegian today! 🇳🇴 'Hello' in Norwegian is 'Hei, hei' (pronounced 'Hi hi', isnt that the cutest thing you've ever heard!?). It can be said formally, like to people in shops, and informally, to friends and family. One of my favourite memories of this trip was that by the end of the holiday, Annabelle picked up what 'Hei hei!' meant, so if someone said it to her, she'd wave! Gah, my heart. 💛 And 'Thank you' is 'Takk!' - if you want to thank someone lots, say 'Tusen takk!' which translates to 'A thousand thank yous' ❣ The sweetest language! My Mum and Dad have a tradition of learning the phrase 'Two beers, please!' In the language to whatever country they visit! If you're curious, in Norwegian that is 'To øl takk!' (pronounced too el takk!') 🍻 #themoreyouknow Thanks to @alisonbettis for the photos and the Norwegian lessons! (at Mariakirken Bergen) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxNpZAxhY8o/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xu0u8fnh3dgu

We had a wonderful first Easter as a family of four! Sarah's sister got engaged, so we had a party for her and her new fiancé on Saturday, had them over for Beef Wellington on Sunday, and spent today lazing and playing in the sun! What did you get up to? (at Birmingham, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwki6HUhh1G/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13blkbioey8e7

Hoppy Easter from Annabunny and the rest of the Smith chicks! 🐰🐥 We hope you spend the day with lots of good food, family time, and chocolate at every meal (that's what we'll be doing!) 🍫 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwg1H9AhLkL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ukohwscm102x

So many amazing sights in this world, and all I see is you ❤ Little throwback to making my little lady laugh in front of Washington Square Monument, with the Empire State Building in the distance! Our trip to NYC was so much fun, and we are getting so excited to take our Annabelle traveling again! We are off to Bergen, Norway next month, has anyone been? If so, suggestions would be appreciated! (at Washington Square Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwIM4G1h5AL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10r8lf8yly8ng

One of the things I'm most proud of Sarah for is that she has accomplished 9 months of breastfeeding Annabelle! She is a total superwoman for this and for so many other things. Appreciation post for my wonderful wife's BF journey on the blog now! 💙 Lx (at Wales) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvzjVQvhh3I/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bo5rbzcn61ti

All this sun and warmth today has us looking forward to swimsuit season! 👙 Can't wait for this summer with our little water baby. 📷 getting ready for pool time @sandscornwall What are you most looking forward to this summer? (at Sands Resort Hotel & Spa) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvccnOkhd7e/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ts6osulmhnjq

Staying in the UK often gets overlooked when it comes to looking at where to go for a family holiday. But we are here to say, it really shouldn't be! There are thousands of beautiful places here to explore - from mountains in Scotland, wetlands in Norfolk, waterfalls in Wales, to stunning beaches in Cornwall! 🏖 We spent last weekend in beautiful Newquay, Cornwall, checking out all it has to offer as a family friendly holiday location. We stayed at the amazing @sandscornwall resort, explored the quirky shops and cafes in town, learned a lot at the aquarium, took in the stunning views of the cliffs, and Annabelle ate her first sand at the beach 😂. Thanks to @lovenewquay for an amazing trip! 💛 Our highlights of the trip on the blog, now! {Link in bio} (at Porth Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvSONCohNbn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ukzjklxp0inh

Travelling with Annabelle was an amazing experience, and one we can't wait to repeat! We know we are still new to travelling as a family, but we've shared our top 5 things we found essential to travel with a baby - on the blog now! {Link in bio} (at Brooklyn Bridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu6t3T2BlM8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=txtevvreih3f

May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. Last International Women's Day we had just found out we were having a daughter 💓 and we were excited and anxious and worried about how to raise her to be the happiest and strongest woman she can be. And this year, we are still all those things, but with an independent, opinionated, charming little 8 month old. She watches everything we do and she really teaches us what is important in life - being happy and appreciating the little things. So today and every day, thank you to our family, friends, colleagues, Insta fam for your love and support of us and our Annabelle. 💕 https://www.instagram.com/p/Buw1ik_Btqj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h49vjrior6ku

Our Annabelle was 8 months old on Saturday! 💛 This month has been the biggest increase in personality I think - she loves blowing raspberries and laughing at people coughing (worrying 😂), she's a total show off and loves being upside down/doing back flips off of Mummies! She will stop crying when a stranger smiles at her, and had lots of people on the New York City subway clapping and waving at her! 💓 This month was pretty big for her too - she took her first trip, first plane ride, first passport stamp. ✈ She started sleeping overnight in her own room, and decided that she is too independent for spoon feeding. 🥄 She still prefers vegetables to things like pasta, cheese or meats, or even pancakes she had today... Mummies think this is weird, even if we should probably be pleased that she likes broccoli and black beans more than anything. 🥦 And today, she crawled for the first time! Just two steps, but three separate occasions, and both of us were here to witness it, which was amazing! Go, baby, go! https://www.instagram.com/p/Buo_gp_hLZi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=un5ns4dfq9p7

'Travel is the bridge between you and everything.' - Rumi 🌁 Back at work today for Laura and Sarah is working through a mound of washing - both wishing we were in sunny NYC instead! 🗽 Hope everyone's Mondays went quickly and smoothly! 💙 (at Brooklyn Bridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/BumjdWvhMPk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fqi8tq6hj0ot

'The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up.' - Dumbo . . . . . #lgbtfamily #travel #familytravel #babiesofnyc #babieswhotravel #lgbttravel #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #dumbo #manhattanbridge #ivfsuccess #family #twomums #twomummies #twowives #8monthsold #daughter #baby #Brooklyn xx (at DUMBO, Brooklyn) https://www.instagram.com/p/BueDJQzBmoq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nkew7i0e4cap