Stacey Solomon has said she's 'trying not to be hard on herself' as she reflected on her motherhood journey three-and-a-half weeks after welcoming her second daughter into the world. The Sort Your Life Out host delighted fans just before the new year when she announced she was expecting her third child with her husband Joe Swash.
However, their delight suddenly turned to shock when Stacey debuted her baby bump for the first time and revealed she was already eight months pregnant after finding out herself "late" and deciding to keep it between her and her family for a little while before sharing the joyous news with the world.
And just before Valentine's Day, Stacey revealed that her and Joe's baby girl had "literally flew" into the world, being born at their family home, dubbed Pickle Cottage, on February 7. The Loose Women star, who also shares daughter 16-month-old Rose and son Rex, three, with former EastEnders star Joe, then later confirmed that they had named their baby girl Belle.
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And Stacey has since been giving her followers little updates into life as a mum-of-five as she also dotes on sons Zachary and Leighton from previous relationships while Joe is also a proud dad to son Harry, 15, who he shares with ex Emma Sophocleous.
In her latest update, the 33-year-old shared how she was solo parenting as Joe was away for work. Giving fans a glimpse into her day, Stacey shared a reel to her Instagram Stories which started at home with her cradling baby Belle while sporting a matching blue tracksuit as Rose and Rex clambered up on the table around her.
Stacey, who had her long blonde locks tied up into a messy bun, could be seen smiling into the mirror as she filmed a bit of the chaos unfolding around her. She shared how she had done the school tun and headed off to do some shopping with Rose and Belle, with clips of the siblings in a double pram before Rose could be seen browsing the shopping centre and tucking into a noodle-based lunch.
"Joe's away working for a few days so I tried to get myself out of the house," Stacey typed alongside the video. "I did the school run and then me and the girls went for a walk around the shops."
She then went on to add: "Belle and our new life with a newborn is only 3.5 weeks in so I'm trying not to be too hard on myself for not making it out past the school run most days. But it was lovely to get out for a few hours and just walk around and see/speak to people."
Stacey then shared just hours later how she had got the kids washed and ready for bed, with Rose and Rex donning matching pyjamas and Rose trying out her adorable new hair clips and gazing at herself in the mirror. "Didn't get chance to wash myself but I put on my new PJs on so I feel cleanish," the former X Factor star laughed in her message alongside the second snap.
It comes days after Stacey pleaded 'send help' ' as she struggled with an 'impossible' task before calling her dad to the rescue. The Essex-native appeared to be planning ahead for an upcoming trip as she attempted to take baby Belle's first passport pics - but it didn't quite go to plan.
Stacey was able to laugh as she filmed her dilemma and posted it to her millions of followers on Instagram. She shared a clip of her trying to get the three-week old to cooperate on the photo booth machine at the local Post Office.
But underneath each image, Stacey showed i said "may not be compliant" with the standards needed as Belle burst into tears in one and couldn't keep up straight in another. Giggling over the top of the video, Stacey said: "Send help. I'm trying to get Belle's passport pictures done and it's not going well," as she showed the pictures she was dealing with.
The mum-of-five also captioned the clip: "I’m actually full-on sweating in this booth. It’s IMPOSSIBLE. And we have her passport appointment tomorrow. Send help." But luckily, Stacey has a photographer in the family and called her dad to her family home, dubbed Pickle Cottage, who appeared more than happy to get a few snaps of his baby granddaughter as Stacey took a photo of David, with professional camera around his neck, cooing over little Belle.
As he tried to settle the newborn, who was lying on the bed, Stacey wrote: "Thank goodness for Dave. I rang my dad in the end. I didn't want to take it at home because I thought it would be easier to do in the post office where they can check it. I was wrong."
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