The most magical of ideas! (and gifts)

http://www.themagicdoorstore.com/home/4585159113

Sometimes in blogging I have a lull. Or my mind can be brimming with ideas but nothing really captures my enthusiasm.

But at some point during a lull, usually after a full day when I am totally exhausted, something comes along and you think: wow! I love it and I must share it.

Well, this was the case recently when I got an email in my inbox from The Magic Door Store asking if any bloggers wanted to mention them, especially in the lead up to Christmas! Being the naturally nosey person I am, I clicked on the link and was confronted with the most magical of things...

The possibility of my very own miniature door to welcome fairies and elves into my house!

Well, as a lover of all things magical (I go a bit loopy over Christmas and Santa, as well as being a massive Harry Potter geek) I was immediately adding it to my gift list!

While I will definitely be getting one for my son when he is older he is currently too young to appreciate a magical elf doorway. However, I knew of two little girls whose imagination would be captured by such an enchanting entrance into another world!

In the words of the maker on the website:

"These stylish, miniature doors create a magical entrance for your fairies & elves to visit your home.

All that the fairies & elves require is somewhere quiet & secret so that they can come & go as they please, sprinkling love & magic once everyone is asleep.

Just imagine the excitement of exchanging little gifts & messages with your fairy & elf friends & discovering tiny magic dust footprints on the floor."

 

I was suitably enticed and have now purchased a lovely pink fairy doorway to give to my cousin's little girls. Both the girls Mama and I are really looking forward to introducing it to them.

 

There are so many ways to do this. You could give it to them and tell them that they have to put the door somewhere special and then blow fairy dust over it so that it opens the special portal to fairy land.

 

Or you can use the little extras that the company provides and put a letter outside the door that "welcomes" fairies and elves to use the doorway.

 

Or lastly, and this is my favourite, you could put it down without the children and wait for them to notice it. So they can have the wonder of noticing it and wondering where it came from. If I did this I think I would write a mini letter to the children informing them that we ("the fairies") will now be using the door (but only fairies can open the door with their magic of course).

 

All lovely ideas to capture a child's imagination!

 

We also had the great of idea of using it as a doorway for "Santa's Elves". Telling the girls that the Elves come through at night and make sure that you have been good and your rooms are tidy, and they tell Santa. 

 

At the risk of sounding manipulative (but lets be honest us parents need these tools) this is a great way to ensure that good behaviour that often occurs during the lead up to Christmas. Oh the perks of that glorious month of blackmailing using Santa and presents!

 

Anyway, I was really excited about this item and had to share it before I even got it! But I will also be writing a separate blog post once I have received it, letting you know how the girls got introduced to the doorway and the hit it will no doubt be!

 

Have a magical day!

 

Here is a link to The Magic Door Store.

Getting my baby Christmas Chic!

I know, I know, I go on about Christmas like a broken record. I am sorry if you are not a fan of Christmas but I am... so on this blog from now until the 25th of December there will be a lot of the C word.

I am sorry, but I am not really sorry about that. Everyone has there favourite time of year. Some love summer and all its bright, glorious sun... but I am a winter gal through and through. Give me long cosy nights, fireplaces, Yankee candles, mince pies, snow, Christmas markets, mulled wine any day!

I could go on and on... I often do. But I do have a reason behind this (long overdue, as I haven't done one in ages) blog post. I have been slowly but surely prepping my little boys "Christmas wardrobe".

From buying sale items from Next before Archie was even born, this January, to currently pestering my Husband on the importance of Christmas themed baby leggings. They are important!

As always, I wanted to share my little bits and bobs on here. Not only because I like to share things on my blog, but also because some of the best buys have been the cheapest. And I love to share a bargain. I am pretty sure most Mums, especially those with their babies first Christmas this year, are keen to have one or two cute and festive outfits this season.

Firstly one of the best places I have found for Christmas outfits/clothing at really great prices are charity shops. I have noticed that a lot of charity shops are currently making little "seasonal" rails in their shops. Several of the ones I have been into have had dedicated rails of baby and children's clothing that are Halloween or Christmas themed.

I have been pawing through these rails in my local shops and come up with some real gems, because as much as I love Christmas (and want to drive my Husband insane with Archie's Christmas clothes) I do appreciate that it is one month of the year, and spending a lot on these clothes would probably wasteful and frivolous.

I have also noticed that a lot of the seasonal clothes have been new or barely worn as well. I popped into one charity shop the other day and they had a large pile of £1 body suits (Christmas themed) in various sizes. They were end of the line items given to them by Tesco, from their F&F range and were brand new/unworn with the labels still on.

Here are pictures of the three body suits I picked up for £1 each...

In addition to the above I also recently purchased a onesie from a charity shop, it is a jumper fabric with penguins on. For less than a couple of pounds it will be a nice addition to his wardrobe, as well as being a warm outfit on those colder days.

As well as trawling through the charity shops I did start buying items back in January. Being the festive addict that I am I knew that I would want to get some Christmas jumpers for my baby, so I bought some Next jumpers in their January sale. Although it is probably too late for anyone wanting a sale priced Christmas jumper now, I would highly recommend looking next January for next Christmas. You can pick up some real bargains (just be sure to get the right size for your baby next Christmas).

Here is a little picture of the jumpers (and other items) I got in January...

As well as the bargain items, I have bought the odd full priced item. For instance I couldn't resist these Snowman leggings from Blade and Rose, having just ordered them they are on there way to me. I am really excited about Archie wearing these! I am a big fan of baby leggings. I have said it before and I will say it again, they are so much easier for nappy changes. If you know a Mama-to-be get her baby leggings. They are easier for washing, wiping sick off and changing a wriggling baby. They also last longer (usually being 6 month age ranges instead of the usual 3 months).

Picture from the Blade and Rose website

I also plan on buying the Reindeer leggings they currently have on their website because one pair of Christmas leggings is clearly not enough!

There is a link to the Blade and Rose website here.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed my little festive themed blog, have a great evening! :)
 

Why I weaned before 6 months...

Yes, some Mums may read this and be shocked and appalled, but I would hope you would read all that I write because you may be surprised.

Yes, I didnt wait until 6 months to wean. But that doesnt mean I didnt do a lot of research, talk to medical professionals and think hard before I decided to wean before the 6 month recommendation.

I think there is nothing wrong if you decide to wait until 6 months old, if you did then I am pleased for you and even congratulate you, but I also think there is another side to weaning. The side that considers not waiting until 6 months old.

I found weaning to be a real mine field when I was looking into it. There is no doubt that us modern Mums get a lot of conflicting advice. There is the "old school" view of weaning earlier (before 6 months) that you may often hear from older family members and friends, then there is the current recommendation of waiting until 6 months.

I thought the contention over natural birth and breast feeding was hard to navigate... Then there is/was sleeping through the night and now... Well, welcome to weaning...

My son turns 5 months soon. He is a hungry baby, he weighs the same as some 6 months old... But is tall too so it is all in proportion. Around the time I decided to start weaning, my son was almost strong enough to sit independently, has always had good head control, was showing an interest in food and was showing signs of having developed his tongue thrust motion. All these are signs he was ready for weaning before 6 months.

Therefore I was strongly considering it and decided to do some research into it.

As I mentioned, these days the advice is to wait 6 months. This left me feeling unsure about what to do, I didnt want to be a bad Mum but I had to read the signs my baby was giving me.

However, one think I was acutely aware of was the "weaning" dictators... do you know who I mean? I have read numerous forum posts/topics where one person is considering weaning before 6 months and they get a horrible put down from numerous other parents.

Firstly I think this public putting down of a fellow parent is unnecessary! Why do we insist on doing this to each other?! On a side note, I really think as parents we need to encourage each other and offer advice in a positive manner!

Secondly, upon doing research into weaning I have found that there is still medical contention over when is actually best to wean!

Several articles over the past few years highlight that there could arguably be issues with waiting to wean a baby.

I have read articles that say weaning too soon causes higher risks of potential diabetes in older age and allergies... But I have also read that waiting 6 months or longer can cause the same issues.

So while I am being informed 6 months is practically a must I don't really feel this offers a complete picture on when is best to wean, now that I have done my own research.

Furthermore, bare in mind that the 6 month recommendation comes from research done throughout the world. It takes into account developing countries where breast milk is often a lot more nutritional than the food they would offer a baby, as well as more sterile.

This frustrates me because not only do they not look at the needs of your baby on an individual level when it comes to milestones like weaning, but it seems the guidelines are overly generalised (and include variables which would never apply to my child).

I think we need to, as parents, remember that sometimes guidelines are just that. If you follow them too strictly you may miss key signals from your baby that they are ready for development.

It also seems that one of the reasons the recommendation is 6 months is because women often stop breastfeeding when they wean and these guidelines basically encourage women to breastfeed longer... I think there could be other ways to encourage longer breastfeeding.

Upon doing my research I found that a babies digestive system is usually fully developed around 4 months (which is I waited until after this to wean).

I genuinely feel it is important to consider the guidelines as just that; guidelines. I think as parents we need to be listening to the signals our babies give us. I know that these guidelines are useful tools to enable parents to make the best choices but as I mentioned these guidelines are not based on your child's needs as an individual. A part of me wishes that the NHS would take more time to help parents make informed decisions about subjects such as when to start weaning on a baby by baby basis.

Of course, this is just my opinion, and I always recommend getting the advice of a medical professional (like I did) and doing your own research. I also feel it is important to note that my sons solid food has not replaced any of the milk feeds he is getting, as I read that this is important. I am also not feeding him anything that could be considered an allergen until the recommended age. I found Annabel Karmel's books very useful for this information.

Goodbye Bake Off... Homage to Bake Off: White Chocolate Torte

The Great British Bake Off final is tonight, it is a bitter sweet moment. I can't wait to see who wins but it means the end until next year.

In a homage to Bake Off I have quickly whipped up some White Chocolate Tortes for me and my Husband tonight, to eat while watching it. This recipe was done in under 20 minutes and only uses 4 ingredients, so I felt like it was my moral obligation to share this simple and chocolatey recipe!

I dont really know if "torte" is the right word to describe this dessert, it is sort of like a creamy/chocolatey cheesecake, but doesnt have cheese in it... So I am just calling it a torte...

This recipe is one I have used over the years to make a variety of tortes. You can change the chocolate and the biscuit base to make a variety of styles (I once made a triple chocolate one, where I used the same method with the chocolate and cream but just used 3 different types: dark, milk and white chocolate. Then placed them in layers).

This recipe just makes 2 small ramekin dishes worth of dessert, but you can make a big one, or more smaller ones, by increasing the ingredient quantities.

I used Nice biscuits as I had some in cupboard that needed using and I thought the coconut in the biscuits would compliment the white chocolate.

Ingredients
50g of butter
120g of Nice biscuits
80g of white chocolate
200ml of double cream
You will also need 2 small ramekin dishes to put the dessert in. 


Method 
Firstly weigh out the butter and then melt it in the microwave.

Then mix up the biscuits in a food processor until you have a fine crumb mixture. Now mix the butter into the biscuit mix, making sure all the crumbs have a nice coating of the butter.

Now spoon the mixture into 2 ramekin dishes, half in each dish. Then push the mixture into the base with a spoon, and flatten it out, like so (see picture to right).

Now get the white chocolate and melt it in the microwave, put it on a low setting and be sure to watch it so the chocolate doesnt melt. Once the chocolate is melted place 2 tablespoons of the cream into the chocolate and mix it well (make sure the cream is room temperature otherwise it can make the chocolate harden again and difficult to work with).

Whip the rest of the cream until you have a slightly thicker consistency than before... It doesnt have to be stiff peaks, just enough to add a little air and thickness into the cream. Then add in the chocolate and cream mixture and mix together well.

Now pour the chocolate and cream mixture over the biscuit base. Your desserts should look like this:

Put the tortes in the fridge for at least 2 hours, to set, before eating.

Tip: if you have time and the inclination slicing up strawberries and placing them on top adds a nice touch. 

I hope you enjoy these if you make them. :)

GIVEAWAY! Bespoke Christmas Dungarees or Dress from Dolittle Dumplings!

I feel like a good squeal of excitement should be inserted here. I am super excited about this giveaway!

Since the last giveway with Dolittle Dumplings went so well, and resulted in this beautiful bespoke coat (see below), I felt I had to team up with Dolittle Dumplings again to offer something else... and naturally with Christmas coming I had to do something festive!

Coat that was special designed for winner of the last Dolittle Dumpling giveaway!

So, Mama Lucy is giving away some beautiful bespoke clothing from Dolittle Dumplings once again. And it is Christmas themed! You could win a Dolittle Dumplings Dress or a pair of Dungarees!

 

 

The winner of this giveaway will once again get to pick the Christmas fabric they want and whether they want a dress or a pair of dungarees. Sizes are available up to age 3 for this giveaway.

 

You could get your little one that cute Christmas day outfit all sorted with this giveaway!

To enter all you have to do is either comment on this blog post below or go the Mama Lucy page (click here) then like the Mama Lucy page, share the post about the giveaway and comment on the post as well (really important you comment!).
Make sure you do all three if you enter via facebook, so that you get entered into the prize draw!
Winner to be announced in 2 weeks time.

A big thank you once again to Dolittle Dumplings for teaming up with Mama Lucy, please take a moment to check out their beautiful clothing here.

Good luck everyone!

The images of the dresses and dungarees above are examples only, to showcase the designs that Dolittle Dumplings do. The dresses in the giveaway are A line pinafore style dresses and are fully reversible. The giveaway only includes sizes up to age 3.

Seasonal Chic: Baby on a Budget...

I am one of those Mums that can't resist a cute, themed piece of baby clothing.

Seeing all the baby outfits for Halloween and Christmas has me in Mummy lust. I have to stop myself buying clothing my son can only wear once or twice, as it is seasonal.

As much as I want the bespoke knitted pumpkin outfit for Halloween (with an adorable matching hat for around £20-£30 off Etsy or Notonthehighstreet.com) I am also a realist... One with a budget too.

But I have come up with a solution that can accommodate my crazy desire to see my son in cute themed outfits over the next few months but is kinder on my wallet: charity shops.

I always have a peek in charity shops, being a bargain hunter at heart, and have discovered that many currently have a great selections of Halloween and Christmas themed baby/kids clothing.

The only downside on this is that you have to filter through them to find suitable sized clothing you like but it has produced a few lovely items for my son.

The other day I found this lovely knitted/jumper style all in one for Archie, for Christmas. For £2.00 and with the original labels still on (so I assume unworn) it is a bargain. As I said, it satisfies my need for cute festive outfits but is a bargain.

I also found this lovely Superman themed onesie for £2.00. Again original labels still on. It is perfect for those colder days as it is fleecey inside.

I haven't managed to find something for Halloween yet, despite the abundance of choice in charity shops. But Archie was given this adorable bib for Halloween, which I believe was £1 from B&M.

What do you mean I am too young for trick or treating?

I highly recommend charity shops for anyone looking for cute outfits over the next few months. Happy bargain hunting!

Mama's Chicken Pie

With the nights getting longer and the days getting cooler I am starting to crave those warming, filling British foods that are best enjoyed during autumn & winter.

The salad days of summer are gone, with a lonely lettuce wilting in my fridge... And instead I feel a craving for a family favourite: my Mums chicken pie recipe! This recipe is sacred to me.

It is quick to make, easy to prepare and is also a great crowd pleaser. I also suspect that my Husband married me purely based on this pie/recipe. He loves it and it is his favourite meal... So ladies, I am giving you the recipe that may get your man to finally propose. Use this recipe wisely ;)

Anyway here it is, super yummy, super simple!

Sorry the recipe and quantities are vague. It isn't written down anywhere I just go off memory. The good thing is that it is a really flexible recipe...

Ingredients:
Puff pastry (yes, I use the pre-made, pre-rolled stuff)
3 chicken breasts
1.5 cups of double cream
1 cup of chicken stock
1 leek
Handful of mushrooms (add as many or as few as you want, load up the dish if you fancy it)
1 cup of cheddar cheese (grated)
Knob of butter

Method:
Firstly cut the chicken into cubes and fry off until thoroughly cooked. Add into the frying pan the leek and mushrooms, cut up, with knob of butter. Cook until leeks have wilted a bit.

Place the chicken, mushrooms and leek into a pie dish. Then pour over the cream and chicken stock. Add in the grated cheese and mix in the dish.

Place the puff pastry over the top and place in the oven for 30 minutes at 200C.

Best coffee in S11

I read a blog post today that says how parenting doesn't get easier... 10 years down the line and this Mum is honestly writing about how it isn't easier. Sob

I appreciate the honesty, but as a Mum of only a 4 month old I sometimes want the sugar coated version. Isn't the next ten years just all about beautiful milestones, family vacations and memories? No?! It seems not.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that it isn't always easy but it seems like it doesn't get easier than what I am experiencing right now. And currently I am clinging to a coffee for dear life after my baby had a fussy day followed by a restless night...

Well, I did want a baby so I best pull up my socks and prepare for the bumpy ride! Luckily I have found a local haunt that serves up a brilliant coffee, and something tells me that coffee and I will be intimately acquainted over the next 18 years (until the day my son goes off to University leaving me a sobbing wreck).

The Seven Hills bakery, I have discovered, makes a pretty amazing coffee. Just a few moments from my home it is perfectly situated to accommodate my parenting induced coffee addiction.

It feels really relaxed, so I can pop in with my hair wet from the shower and no make up on, and just sit enjoying a peaceful coffee while Archie sleeps off his restless night (lucky him).

I love the big windows looking out onto the street, you can do some great people watching. The tables are big and communal, and the whole atmosphere is really one of blissfully watching the world pass you by, and I really needed that this morning. To step out of the pace of life and just watch cars go by and cats roam the streets.

You can tell they take their coffee seriously, it comes in a cute glass with pretty swirls on top, as well as being an all around great coffee. It is strong but creamy! (I know that description sounds like a bad singles seeking advert but I am working on 3 hours sleep here).

In addition to the coffee they offer some delicious pain au chocolats. Seriously... Melt in the mouth, flaky, chocolatey goodness! I may have had a second one... Don't judge, I need the energy. :)

I shouldn't be surprised that the pastries are so good as they are a bakery after all. They also offer local and organic produce.

So anyone in S11 I strongly recommend popping to Seven Hills Bakery for coffee, baked goods and groceries. But especially for the coffee!

They are based on Sharrowvale Road: 232 Sharrow Vale Road open 9am-5:30pm Mon-Sat.

Government for Parents!

As usual the news is all about politics. It got me thinking, if I ran for government what would I change?

I know, if I became Prime Minister it would probably signal the beginning of the end for humanity, but indulge me.

Anyway, I think I would stand for parents, Mums especially, if I ran for government.

What would I change I hear you ask? (Well you probably aren't asking that, but bare with me...)

Well I made up my Mama Lucy Legislation for my Mum-overnment! (Bare in mind this is a bit tongue in cheek)...

Fines and prison sentences for people that give funny looks or tut over breastfeeding Mums in public.
I may not have been lucky enough to successfully breastfed but if I had then I think the threat of funny looks over breastfeeding in public would have made me anxious. Even though breast is best is so heavily pushed by the Government it isn't backed up with normalising breastfeeding in public! So I think anyone who tuts or discourages public breastfeeding in anyway should get a fine and one night in prison. Yes breastfeeding jail would happen under my rule... and all they would get given for food would be bread.... and milk! ;)

Free coffee for new parents.
Government funded coffee from Starbucks for all new parents. We are nurturing tomorrow's leaders, doctors and teachers... We deserve coffee to make it through the sleepless nights.

Midnight feed hotline.
We parents need support through those sleepless nights. We need a service that connects us to other parents during the wee hours of the morning. We could do with someone to moan to who understands the utter exhaustion and can be sympathetic. I needed someone to say "dont kill your snoring Husband as he blissfully sleeps through another night time feed, because one day you will like him again... maybe not now, but one day, when your baby sleeps through the night..."

1 day of free nursery care, per month, for the first 3 months.
The first 3 months of parenting I only got one thing done well: keeping my baby alive and well. And that is pretty great, but the washing, cleaning and my hair barely got done. I would give all parents one free day of nursery each month for the first 3 months. So that parents can get the essentials done. Hell, use the day to sleep because we all know you won't be getting much of that.

Free washing powder for parents with weaning babies.
By the time weaning comes along you probably don't have one item of clothing without a baby related, permanent, stain on it. But when you wean, nothing stays unstained/clean. Between weaning nappies (just don't ask if you aren't there yet) and baby food stains then you won't have one thing in your whole house without a stain on it. I would give all parents free washing powder for the first month of weaning... And just generally wish you luck.

Free back massage 3 months after giving birth.
By the time you have hit three months post partum you have a healthy sized baby, not a teeny tiny new born as light as air. Nope, if you are like me, you have a heavy baby boy that wiggles constantly. Picking him up is like lifting weights all day. It is killing my back! I am sure I am not the only one, so under Mama Lucy legislation all Mums get a free 1 hour massage three months after giving birth. Preferably by a sexy hunk called Sven...

Special on call doctor helpline for neurotic new mums.
I cant count the number of times I could have done with a hotline about one silly concern or another during the first 3 months... I think having a medical hotline specifically for new Mums may actually free up a lot more Doctor appointments.

Source: fowllanguagecomics.com

Free cooked meals delivered to your door for a week after giving birth... oh and maid service.
I think that anyone that goes through labour and then has to get used to looking after a new baby deserve some help. So under my rule all new parents get a weeks worth of maid service and prepared food for free! I might even get Jamie Oliver preparing the meals.

Fines for people who ring doorbells on sleeping babies.
Finally got that baby to sleep and some family member comes over wanting a hug... they ring the doorbell and the baby is awake again. Screaming. Well I say report them and they get fined for such evil acts against parents!

The genius behind my plans are that the costs of these services are paid for by the fines I introduce and I plan to tax cakes... Yes, this may sound crazy. Why would I tax cakes?
Well as a Mum I eat a lot of cake. Like. A. Lot... So I would be happy to pay a bit more on cake in order to get all the perks above...
Anyone with me? Should I run for government?

A true tale of parenting...

Today was a day that started off well, just like every other day... September sun created a lovely feel to what promised to be a lazy mummy/baby day. Little did I know that my charming little bundle of love may reduce me to tears of laughter in the baby changing room at my Doctors!

I have been dealing with teething nappies lately. Generally gross and a bit explosive! But today I was subjected to the mother of all uncontrollable, explosive nappies! Just as I was about to be called in by the Health Visitor for Archie's monthly weigh in.

I heard what can only be described as a worryingly massive fart come from Archie's nappy while sitting in the waiting room and it put the fear of God in me. I knew... Just knew, that this was not gonna be pretty!

So I explained to the Reception, who promptly gave me a dirty look before going into the baby changing room... to discover my fate.

Yes, my son had created a poonarmy for me. Everywhere doesn't even begin to cover it. I promptly had to strip him out of his soiled clothes (and quickly as I could hear the Health Visitor calling me in)...

But in my haste Archie managed to pull the nappy bag (containing the dirty nappy) onto his head... Ekkk! You know it is a bad mummy day when your baby gets poo in his hair! I promptly cleaned it off while a naked baby wriggled around the changing mat like it was a game...

After I cleaned up one mess he had managed to roll onto his stomach before promptly peeing on the changing mat.

He managed to create a little pee puddle that he was splashing around in... Oh the shame! Not my proudest parenting moment!

I was reduced to tears of laughter because you just can't make up this stuff (and frankly it is better to laugh than cry over the situation)! I had to attempt to wash him in the hand sink in the end. Naturally I couldn't use the hot tap in case it scolded him, so Archie screamed away as I tried to wash him in cold water... I think the people in the waiting room thought I was torturing him.

I just had to share this... Because this is the reality of parenting!

Autumn Update...

The start of September and the start of Autumn has bought a lot of changes and trials as a Mama... firstly I have returned to work which has been fun but also difficult as we try to settle into a new routine, and adjust. I am enjoying the challenge of work again but I have started feeling a little upset when I leave Archie at nursery.

I didnt get upset the first week when I took him to nursery, I think I was really focused on settling back into work. But now I am settled into work again I have had a few moments of "Mummy sadness" after I have dropped him at nursery. Between dropping him off at nursery and starting work I do miss him, before I get too busy at work to miss him.

In addition to the above I have also had a bout of food poisoning and a bad back to contend with.

The past week has been a bit of a bad one for me ol' body... Carrying around a heavy baby has started taking its toll on my back. This doesn't surprise me with all the baby stuff we Mums have to carry... Carrying the pram base, car seat, baby and changing bag in one go happens an awful lot.

Then there was a nasty bout of food poisoning my husband and I got last week. I only feel like a human again today. Nothing tests your resilience as a parent than being horribly ill while dealing with a teething baby. We had three days that was just about surviving. I don't think any of us changed out of our PJs or had a bath for 3 days! We didn't open the curtains for fear we may scare the neighbours, we both looked that terrible!

Between that and trying to get the hang of working with a baby it has meant I haven't blogged as much as I like to.

But with all the new challenges to overcome there has been great new developments, especially when it comes to Archie!

He is now as long as his carry cot for his pram... He was getting a bit squished in it so he has been promoted to the pushchair part of his Cosatto Giggle 2 travel system. I just can't believe how quickly he is growing! The great thing about the pushchair part of the pram is that it has different settings; so he can lay flat on his back or sit more upright.

Having the ability to sit him upright a bit more means he can see a lot more, and he seems to be enjoying his walks in the park a lot more.

Generally he has become so much more interactive with the world, and his toys. He has started showing a preference for certain toys and teddies... he has a real passion for biting teddies. Even his nursery key worker noted it on his nursery "report card"... Yes, Archie is a baby Hannibal to teddies... So proud :/

Important meeting with his advisers!

Plus Archie and I are loving Autumn! Our walks in the park are so lovely now that it is a bit cooler! We can wrap up warm...

Though Archie's coat may be a bit to big for him still...

I can whip out my Hunter wellies... *sigh of autumn contentedness*

 
And we can generally enjoy the lovely, relaxing walks in the local parks!

I am really enjoying Archie at this stage of his development and really enjoying being a Mum during this time of year. I am also really excited about the coming months!

I am now off to continue enjoying a lovely relaxing Sunday... after a nice long walk in the park this morning we enjoyed a coffee and cake before returning home... we have the fireplace on and a roast in the oven! A pretty perfect autumnal Sunday!

Preparing for Nursery...

My little boy has officially started nursery now and it has been a strange experience.

The reality hasn't really met with my expectations, especially emotionally.

A part of me expected to be really emotional about the whole thing, and I did have a few "moments" where I felt a bit anxious but overall it has been absolutely fine... and not the tear inducing event I had foreseen.

Part of me wonders if I am just a strange Mum that isn't feeling the "right" emotional response.

However, I am hoping that the real reason I haven't been a sobbing wreck each time I drop my baby off at nursery is because I prepared myself emotional and mentally.

I have taken the point of view that nursery will be a positive experience for my baby. He doesn't currently have any siblings, and after 35 hours in labour and a C section I am not in any real rush to repeat childbirth just yet... so I think that nursery will teach him important skills like sharing until, maybe, a sibling does come along.

It will also teach him valuable life and social skills from a young age.

He also seems to love nursery too, he hasn't really had any bad days where they have struggled with him being upset. He seems to be quite popular and gets lots of cuddles. In fact he doesn't even seem upset when I leave... he kind of has an expression that says "well bye, what you waiting for? You can leave now..." when I am waving goodbye for the day... dragging out the goodbye.

As well as preparing myself emotionally, with positive thoughts about why it is good for him, I have had to do all the practical preparation... babies seem to need an entirely separate wardrobe for nursery.

Here is a list of what he needs (in case anyone is wondering what a tiny person requires for nursery):

• Coat
• Hat for Sunny Days
• Hat for Cold Days
• Jumpers
• Bibs & Muslin Squares
• Spare Clothing
• Shoes (yes, he may only be 4 months old but he needs shoes for outdoor play apparently?!)
• Suncream for Sunny Days
• Comforters (dummies, blanket etc)
• Bottles
• Formula

And of course everything has to be labelled, I have been glued to my sewing machine, sewing in name labels to any baby clothes I come across.

I also have to change the spare clothes, coat, hats and shoes as he grows out of them... told you, an entirely separate wardrobe for nursery. It is a good job I have a coat addiction and he already has too many because he is going to need them!

So that is my emotional and practical preparation for nursery. I can appreciate how stressful sending your child to nursery can be, but if you think about all the good it will do them then hopefully it will be a bit easier.

Also, I would advise looking at a few nurseries, do your research and pick the one you feel happy with. Being happy with who is looking after your baby makes a big difference. We picked one that was really on the ball when we visited and the whole nursery has a great atmosphere.

In addition to this, always remember that a good nursery will follow your routine and instructions on looking after your little one.

On a side note I am really looking forward to my first bit of "baby art" from nursery, made by the chubby hands of my little one!

7 little white lies I tell (as a parent)...

I don't know about other parents but I sometimes feel that I am keeping things together by a very thin thread.

Those day to day activities that I did without even thinking before I had my baby have now turned into massive tasks, that I feel require planning on an military level in order to achieve them to a decent level.

In addition to this I was never great, before having a baby, at keeping on top of day to day things (like the washing pile) but I have now become pretty useless.

Cleaning and washing has been happening on a "need" basis:

Has everyone got clean pants for tomorrow? Nope... Well best do some washing before I go to bed...

Have I got a clean cup for a cuppa? Nope... best clean a cup then...

With this in mind there are a few white lies I tell people, to make myself feel better about this...

1. Sorry the house is a mess, I haven't had a chance to clean this morning.
Hahaha... clean today? I wont clean today! My teething baby wont let me put him down and I have no intention of using the small amount of time he naps to clean. I am going to have a cuppa and mindlessly watch daytime TV! This mess has accumulated over 3 days and will probably be here another 3... but for the purposes of this white lie I clean regularly, and this mess is merely the product of this morning.

2. The washing pile isn't usually that big, our wash day is tomorrow.
Wash day? Yeah right. I will clean what I need when I need it. If you are lucky! The pile trying to give Mount Everest a run for its money will be there next week.

3. Oh you caught me at a bad time I was just about to do my hair.
I had no intention of doing my hair at all today. Up in a pony tail it goes, and that is just to avoid scaring the baby with my frizzy mop trying to do a Medusa impression.

4. Sorry I don't have any biscuits to offer you with your tea, I haven't had a chance do a food shop this week.
Lies, all lies!!! I did the food shop yesterday but ate all the cookies in 1 day as it was the only thing that got me through the day with a teething baby. I NEEDED the sugar for energy!

5. He is teething...
I don't know if anyone else has similar days, when your baby is just fussy. It could be teething, but you don't really know... It probably isn't, it is just a blue moon and your baby is grumpy (hey even adults have bad days)... but to make myself feel less like a failure I just blame teething. 

6. The body suit couldn't be saved.
Yes, one of THOSE explosive nappies has happened. It is everywhere. You don't even know how it got into some places on your child... It is covering his onesie/bodysuit/clothes... Well there have been times when I just say I cant save the clothing and (carefully) just cut the clothing off him. Rather than wash it and try and get the poo covered clothing over his head... Now if I am honest I probably could carefully remove the clothing and wash it. But, sod it, I can not be bothered to have that level of commitment to a piece of clothing he will grow out of in a week.

7. I put Frozen on for the baby... He likes the bright colours and music.
Again, just lies. I love Disney films and put them on for me. Now I am a Mum I just have a good excuse to put them on. For instance, Archie is currently asleep and Frozen is playing while I type this... but it is on for him of course. :)

I will miss those midnight feeds?!?!

I know I have mentioned being tired a few times, what Mum doesn't mention it every now and then. The midnight feeds have really been getting to me.

However I realised something last night. I will miss them! (I know, I think I may have lost the plot, but bare with me).

I can already tell that my son is growing quickly. My tiny newborn who was unable to do anything is now a thriving three, almost four, month old. He can roll over, hold up is own head, giggle and smile, can see better and is starting to grab things.

It is likely that at some point in the next three months that he will start sleeping through the night.

And I will lose those these precious moments of comforting and his sweet smiles. He often wakes up fussing but the moment I go to him he gives me the biggest smile! How can I not love that? It feels like those cheeky midnight smiles and giggles are our little secret.

I find it really funny, even at 3am in the morning, when he is smiling behind the teat of his bottle. Big eyes beaming full of mischief.

So while I complain about these midnight feeds, that seem to take forever, I also secretly cherish these moments.

Either that or sleepless night have caused me to slowly go insane...

Deliveroo: Good food straight to your door!

Have you ever had a day where you want something good to eat, but you don't want to cook and you don't want the typical take away? But going out seems like a big task. Especially if you are a parent!

As a new parent date nights are few and far between. Venturing out for a meal seems like an indulgent fantasy sometimes!

But after a day where a teething baby has terrorised me relentlessly sometimes I can't face cooking and a salad just isn't going to cut it. But I know that going out to eat, with a 3 month old baby, requires a level of preparation and dedication that I don't have the energy for.

Well, I may have received the answer to my prayers in the form of a flyer through my door.

A flyer from a company called Deliveroo!

This company delivers food from restaurants throughout Sheffield. (They also do this in other locations too including Manchester, London, Brighton and more. For details visit their website here). As I live in Sheffield I am going to focus on the Sheffield based restaurants they deliver from.

Deliveroo proves that not all "takeaways" are created equally, especially when they are offering delivery from restaurants such as the Wig & Pen, Milestone, Craft & Dough, Smoke and more!

I convinced my Hubby, after one pretty tiring day, that we should try out Deliveroo... for research purposes of course! We ordered burgers and a sharing platter from The Common Room.

The food was with us within 30 minutes, the delivery guy was professional and nice and the food was d.e.licious!

I was really impressed with the idea, service and generally the idea of what Deliveroo is offering. This autumn and winter I can eat delicious, restaurant quality food while watching Strictly Come Dancing in my onesie!

And with that in mind I had to share it on here, because there may be other parents out there that need this like I do. :)

This is not a sponsored post, image from http://techview.me/

My hardest day so far (as a parent)...

Today has been a pretty hard day so far. It is my last day of maternity leave before I return to work tomorrow. I am only going back to work part time so I didn't expect to be so emotional about it. I am generally a pretty practical person.

When my son has his injections I don't get upset, because I know they may save his life.

When he had his introduction sessions at nursery I didn't cry, because I believe the social environment and many toys would be great for his development.

But today I have been teary. I know that nursery will be good for my baby and that returning to work will be fun and provide more financial stability... But part of me is really going to miss this special time, which has been just me and my son.

The time I have had on maternity leave hasn't been all amazing, it hasn't been full with excitement every day... There are days when I haven't really changed out of my PJs, days where Archie hasn't stopped crying, days when I have been exhausted.

What has made this time special is my son. Today has really made me realise that your children are only little once and how important it is to cherish the time with them. At the risk of sounding completely emotional (and making the post way to soppy) he really is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I could happily spend every day with him (no matter how uneventful).... Until he turns 14, because I have heard that 14 is the age that all children become horrible.

It also feels like the end of an era, yes I know I sound way too over the top. But I can't help it. This signifies the end of a time with my son that will never be repeated. When we have children in the future, and I have time off, I will be pregnant or have another baby to look after. So it won't be the same. This is truly a period of time that won't happen again and it does make me sad thinking that one precious stage of his life is already finished.

But I also have to remember that with this stage finishing that other exciting moments and stages are coming up. While I am an emotional wreck over it being the end of my maternity leave I can also appreciate that it is an exciting start to something else.

It feels like we are really starting family life now I am going back to work. Getting into that routine of balancing work and family, and while that is daunting (as I have no semblance of a routine at present) it is also pretty exciting to contemplate. I loved my childhood in many ways. All because of family life, the things that stick out to me are Sunday roasts, time with my siblings after school, school days and lazy weekends. All just time with my family, nothing really special but unique and memorable for their routine. Sometimes the things that we love are the simple things.

No memory makes me happier than thinking of those reliable Sunday roasts, watching Time Team as a family and wishing Monday (and school) wouldn't come around too quickly.

I feel like this is the stage we, my little family, are now entering... And I am really looking forward to every moment.

In the meantime, today I plan on doing nothing except cuddling my little boy, watching him sleep, maybe crying a little and generally soaking up every last moment of my maternity leave (and one on one time with my baby).

Mummy Haul

I love doing "haul" posts, I think it is a lot of fun to share the things I have recently bought and am loving.

I have now done a few baby hauls but I now fancy doing one for myself. I have had to buy a few things for myself lately, just for practical reasons.

The first 2 things I wanted to share are my new jeans. Unfortunately I am not one of the lucky few whose post pregnancy tummy shrank back down immediately after giving birth. I am getting there but slowly... My old jeans fit but come with a muffin top that make me look like a home baked loaf of bread, and sadly my maternity jeans (which I have been wearing a lot) have now got a hole in them.

Salted Wash Skinny Jeans

So I had a nosey on the online Next clearance section and found a couple of jeans I purchased. They are still maternity jeans but instead of the large over the bump panel they have a smaller panel or adjustable side panels (like the shorts I got for my holiday, link to my blog about them is here).

I got some light blue jeans with the adjustable side panel in the "pocket area". I love these because I can make them tighter as I lose the pregnancy weight. I am 5 foot 3 inches so bought them in the short size. When I tried them on I did think I could have gotten away with the regular length size but I really like that they aren't really long skinny jeans. They remind me a bit of Capri pants, but not that short. These are going to be perfect for wearing with boots in autumn and winter. They are also very comfortable. They are only £12 on the Next website too.

Blue/Black Narrow Band Boot Cut Jeans

Link to the Next website here. Pictures are from the Next website.

In addition to these jeans I also treated myself to another pair. These are in regular size and were a perfect fit, length wise. Again they feel so comfortable and they are going to be great for wearing over boots.

The design says boot cut but they do flare ever so slightly. The band across the belly means it is stretchy but it is quite tight. So I will be able to use them even when my tummy goes back to pre-pregnancy size (fingers crossed!). They are only £14 as well.

I highly recommend the Next jeans for maternity wear. These designs would be great for the earlier stages of pregnancy. I find the in later stages, when your tummy is bigger that the large over the tummy band is better. But the great thing about getting these, if you get them while pregnant, is that they will also be handy for after pregnancy while you get your tummy/figure back. Or, like me, they are just great for post pregnancy.

Sorry they are only website pictures, but I have neither the legs or tummy to be modelling them and do them justice. :)

I also had to buy myself some black, flat shoes as I go back to work this week. :(
I am going to miss being on maternity leave so much but I am lucky that I am only going back to work part time and will still get lots of cuddle time with my little boy!

Black, flat shoes may be a pretty boring purchase but I have to share these as they are a great buy/tip. I always, always buy black Crocs for work. My job involves standing and walking around for 8 hours a day so comfortable shoes are an absolute must. My shoes must be smart though, so I buy the Crocs shoes that look like work shoes.. Like these which I recently bought...

Me modelling the shoes... Future foot model? Maybe not...

They are the Women’s Adrina III Flat. They are currently £19 on the Cloggs website.

They do have a pattern on them which is cut out but when I wear these with tights they aren't noticeable and look smart. What makes me love using Crocs for my work shoes is that they are so comfortable. As they are made of that "jelly style" material they mold to your feet instantly so I never get any blisters from wearing them in. They feel very supportive and are washable. They also last for ages. I have a pair of black, flat Crocs that I have had for years and they are still going strong.
Now on an indulgent level, I have started selling Avon and decided to buy some of their products for myself. It was nice to treat myself to some beauty products after 3 months! I bought some items because they are good products and well priced, but I also feel that if I sell the products then I should have tried them myself and be happy to recommend them.

My first order is yet to arrive but I really wanted to share it on the blog as I am really excited about what I have ordered.

Firstly I got some Argan Oil Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave in Treatment. Argan Oil seems to be really popular at the moment so I thought I would give it a try, and my hair is always in need of a good nourishing hair care set!

When I looked up the benefits of Argan Oil I discovered it is meant to be very moisturising, so great for skin and hair. It is also good for a styling agent (it helps reduce frizz... which I definitely need with the damp days of autumn approaching!).

In addition to this I also bought a few nail products. Including 2 new nail varnishes. Their Desire and Tender colours from their Nailwear Pro+ collection. These are 2 of the 3 new colours they are currently promoting which are only £3.00. I love these colours because they are really autumnal and will be great to wear with so many things!

The Avon website also showed this great way of using them...








I definitely want to try something similar with the colours! The full details and tutorial is here.

I also treated myself to some press on nails, for the days I am feeling too lazy to paint my nails but still want to make some effort. I bought the pink set and the floral set on the pictures below. They are currently only £5!

I really liked the smell of their new fragrance Attraction as well. It also comes with a free gift this month. For only £15. I am a sucker for a free gift so bought the fragrance and free gift. I really like that in the brochures they have a lot of rub and smell tabs so you can smell them before you buy!

And speaking of free gifts I am going to buy the new mascara they have out in the current brochure. It is waterproof and is only £8.50 and comes with 4 free items: 2 eyeliners, 1 brow brush and a eyeshadow pen. Told you... a sucker for a free gift! :)

All Avon product pictures are from their brochure/website. If you want to view the current brochure you can do here: http://www.avon.uk.com/PRSuite/custonlineOrderEBrochure.page?acNo=Mzc2NDUwMzE=&source=RFlNQ1VSTA==&custRepOrdr=1

I hope you enjoyed the blog post. Have a lovely day! :)

Product Review: Summer Infant 3 Stage Super Seat

http://www.summerinfant.com

Archie was recently bought the Summer Infant 3 Stage Super Seat to use when we are at his Grandparents. I felt like I had to review it on here because I was so impressed with it!

When we were at my Husband's parents last weekend we were looking at getting a Bumbo for Archie to have at his Grandparents. He has gotten to the stage where he hates to lie down and it would come in useful when we start weaning him in a couple of months. Plus having a seat at Archie's grandparents meant we wouldn't have to take the one we have back and forth (taking up boot space).

We were keen to get one that weekend. However, I couldn't find anywhere local that had a good deal on Bumbos. I didn't want to pay more that £25-£30, which you can get a Bumbo for when they are on offer (which they often are).

As we couldn't find a decent priced Bumbo I started looking at alternatives. The Mamas and Papas Snug looked good, but was more expensive and didn't have any local places with it in stock.

A search on Argos bought up the Summer Infant 3 Stage Super Seat and we decided to buy it.

On bringing it home it was really easy to assemble and we immediately placed Archie in it. He loves it! The great thing about this seat is that the tray on the front rotas 360 degrees and it has a tray area for feeding and a tray area with toys on.

I really like that it is so much more than just a seat, it is interactive with the toys and it has really encouraged Archie to start playing.

In addition to the toys and tray that it comes with it also has great safety features. It has a harness to strap in the baby and a harness to secure it to a seat (so it becomes a booster seat). It also has a "lip" around the base which gives it extra stability. Making it less like to topple over if the baby leans, an issue that has become obvious with the Bumbo (something I discovered online when searching for details on Bumbos).
The seat is made of materials easy to clean/wipe down.

It also has an orange insert that comes out for when your baby gets bigger, meaning it will last a lot longer than the popular Bumbo.

Also, although I am sure it isn't recommended by the manufacturer we used it to wash Archie (I wouldn't advise it either, it is just a way we are happy to use it). My Husbands parent's house doesn't have a bath, which has become an issue now Archie is too big to wash in the sink. But we can place him in the Summer Infant 3 Stage Super Seat in the shower and wash him using the shower head.

We do have a Bumbo at our own house, that someone has kindly let us borrow and it is a good product. But if we hadn't been lent the Bumbo then I would be getting a Summer Infant 3 Stage Super Seat over a Bumbo.

Argos currently has it on offer at £29.99.

Here is a link the Summer Infant website: http://www.summerinfant.com

Slugs & Snails: Tights for Boys

http://www.slugsandsnails.ie/

You may have noticed I am a big fan of baby leggings for my little boy. I find them so much easier to put on/take off during a nappy change... and a lot of the brands I love last longer than most age ranges. Usually the sizes come in 6 month and 1 year age ranges (so longer than most 3 month age ranges you find in baby clothes). I believe this is because of stretchy materials they use.

I also find that leggings are often in bright colours and make lovely baby clothes. 

While on a recent wander into one of my favourite baby stores in Sheffield, b.biscuit (link to their website here) I came across some tights they sell, by Slugs & Snails.

Well, I am now in love with these tights!

When I looked into the company it seems that it was started by a couple that needed tights for their own little boy during cold Irish winters. But they struggled to find designs suitable for a little boy. They now sell unisex tights and their bright designs really are suitable for boys and girls.

I couldnt resist getting a pair. So now Archie is sporting the "Hoot" design with cute owls all over the tights.

They also have other designs that I think are beautiful and bright...

http://www.slugsandsnails.ie/

Some of the designs include penguins, jigsaw puzzles, mushrooms and an autumn themed one with squirrels and acorns on.

I really like the autumn themed tights and definitely want to buy a set of penguin tights for Christmas!

I love the quality and they have non-slip wording on the feet which will be useful for older babies that are starting to walk/are walking.

Here is a link to the Slugs & Snails website: http://www.slugsandsnails.ie/

Babies first hotel break!

It is my last week of maternity leave so the Hubby and I decided to make the most of it and enjoy some family time. As well as visiting family we booked a 1 night stay in North Wales, returning to a hotel we really enjoyed before becoming parents: Ruthin Castle.

I was a bit apprehensive about staying in a hotel with a 3 month old baby. Although Archie is overall a good baby I was conscious about managing any fussy moments he had, midnight feeds and eating in a restaurant with a small baby (he is still too small for a highchair).

I needn't have been worried. Archie was very well behaved and the hotel were amazing.

Castle Grounds & Peacocks

The Hotel & Rooms
The hotel itself is steeped in history, with a castle being recorded on the site in 1277. The grounds are just beautiful and we always enjoy lazing around on the terrace while the peacocks wander around us. We have visited three times now, every time in the summer, and have been lucky enough to always get good weather. So we always take a few hours to relax in the grounds, walking around or enjoying a cream tea or drink on the Terrace.

The rooms are designed in keeping with the history of the castle, with a lovely mix of old and modern. On this occasion we stayed in a Castle Room but on previous stays we upgraded to a Suite. Our personal favourite out of the rooms we have stayed in is the Suite in the "tower" over looking the gardens... I can't remember the name, but I think it was the Patsy or Jennie Suite.

In addition to the above, the beds are all amazingly comfortable and we always get a good nights sleep.

Staying with a Baby
The hotel were great about us staying with a baby. When I called to book I made sure that it would be okay to bring Archie and take him to dinner as well. I did tell them he was a good baby, which he quickly proved me wrong about by screaming as we checked in (luckily he was good for the rest of the stay). The lady I booked with even said if we needed any help while having dinner to let them know. I thought this was a lovely gesture.

We also decided to request a cot in the room, to save on boot space, and they had that all nicely set up for him. It was comfortable and when I booked they made sure to place us in a room that could comfortably accommodate a cot.

At dinner we took Archie with us, we dined in their Bertie's Restaurant, and all the staff were great about us having a baby with us. As he isn't big enough for a high chair we took him in his car seat. The relaxed setting, with gentle music and lighting was perfect for putting Archie to sleep. So we managed to enjoy a meal while Archie slept. One of only 2 meals since he was born that I have been able to eat without having to interrupt the meal with mum duties.

Archie was also a big fan of bath time in the large roll top bath!

Cream Tea on the Terrace, Baby Cot & Dinner

The Food
We always really enjoy eating at the Bertie's Restaurant at the hotel. The food is lovely, I really enjoyed my goats cheese and asparagus starter on this occasion. But what really makes this restaurant great is how attentive the staff are, the perfect mix of friendly and professional.

Things To Do
The hotel is perfectly located for visiting lots of local attractions but we always like to go north and spend some time by the seaside. About 40 minutes away are some of the best Welsh beaches; Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Gwynedd. On this occasion we spent time on Llandudno beach to dip Archie's toes in the sea... Needless to say he wasn't a big fan of paddling in the sea.

The hotel also has a spa on site, which I have used in the past, but I didn't get a chance to use this time. I am hoping that on future visits that I can sneak a massage while the Hubby is on "baby duty".

I am so glad we had a short break away as a family before I return to work, and staying at Ruthin Castle has put my mind at ease about hotel breaks with a baby!

Here is a link to Ruthin Castle's website: http://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/

This is not a sponsored post.