A Little Cup of Perfection

I couldn't resist taking Archie for a newborn photo shoot and I also can't resist sharing my favourite snap with you here. 

This is my beautiful baby at 8 days old as photographed by the very lovely and very talented Kidz-Unlimited

This is why we had such a problem choosing a name other than 'Squish'  - Look at those gorgeous squishy cheeks!

3 Months In

3 months does not sound long, but it is already a quarter of a year and compared to the squishy little newborn we brought home from the hospital, my beautiful son is growing so fast.

Archie is awake for most of the day, having a few 30 minute cat-naps to see him through, although he does sleep better if we are out in the pushchair or sling.  He will still only settle on his tummy, even in the pram and as the weather has been warming up and the pram apron coming off he does get some funny looks as he passes with his little bum in the air.  Archie still likes to sleep like a newborn and curls his arms and legs underneath him and tucks his head in.  He really loves to feel secure and is happiest in a sling where he can indulge his nosey side whilst staying wrapped up tight with mummy.

Dylan and Archie are still getting on so well and I love watching Dylan lie down next to 'Bubba' to hold his hand and give him kisses.  He loves to help wash his little brother when they share a bath and helps out during nappy changes too.  Dylan isn't always gentle with Archie but it is more through excitement than anything else and Archie watches on without making a fuss.  It is lovely to see them together and I can already see that Archie is desperate to join in with play and be on the move like his big brother.

Archie is growing so fast and his height is constantly commented on.  He is nearly out of his 3-6 month clothes because of his length although I am desperately hanging on.. 

Our nights this month have been all over the place, with a week of Archie sleeping 7-4 without waking, followed by a week of him waking at 2am and refusing to go back to sleep until 6am (incredibly tiring!).  This last week has seen him sleep from 7 until around 12:30 and then be up multiple times before ending up in bed with me from around 4am, as the only way to keep him asleep is to have him constantly latched on.  It is at 3 months that Dylan found his thumb and his sleep started to improve so I am keeping my fingers crossed that Archie will discover that magic digit soon.

Archie has really worked out how to use his hands now and loves to sit in his bouncer and play with the toys.  He can play the music and loves to grab and push the animals. He still loves to look at my face more than anything else and loves to have a chat with me.  He cooes away with a big smile on his face when we get a bit of quiet time alone and it is lovely watching him learn to interact.  I think I am going to have another chatterbox on my hands!

3 months in to life as a family of four and having two under two is certainly getting easier as we have all adjusted to the changes. 

Grown Up Style

I have spent a busy weekend sorting out my wardrobe, and painful as it was, I now have several bags of clothes to take to the charity shop.  It turns out that the last time I cleared out my wardrobe was quite some time ago and as well as having two children in those years, I have also changed body size, body shape and style.  I am no longer a carefree student but a mother of two.

I don't believe that being a parent should change the way I dress, but it does.  Some things just aren't practical any more and some things I just feel far too old for.  Although I still love to throw on a pair of baggy jeans and a slogan T-shirt, or a little summer skirt and vest, I now have to check that what I wear is easy to breastfeed in and is practical for running round after a toddler and bending down to pick him up.

My staple winter wardrobe appears to be skinny jeans, vest, and baggy jumper and whilst it is certainly comfortable, the 'me' of five years ago would have found it incredibly boring.  My summer style is looking to be pretty summer dresses with cropped leggings or vests and shorts, so that I can happily keep up with my troublesome duo.

It is inevitable that our style will change as we grow up, and sadly my days of cropped tops are long gone ( thanks to the two 8lb+ babies I carried!)  but I am determined not to dress old before my time.  My wardrobe now resembles something more fitting for my lifestyle rather than looking like I am still at Uni, and I am wondering whether I should buy a few bits to fill all the empty hangars now?!

Have you found your style has naturally evolved since becoming a parent or do you still dress the same as ever?

Disclaimer: Sponsored Post

JJ Cole Changing Bag Review

With a double pushchair not always being practical, my love of babywearing has grown and I often take a single pushchair and alternate between Archie in a sling and Dylan walking.  As Dylan can go further and further on foot, we occasionally venture out hands free and it feels quite liberating to not have a pushchair with me.  

It does mean I have nowhere to hang the bags though and finding a bag that is compatible with babywearing is not always easy.  I have recently been sent the JJ Cole Mode bag to review and it is the perfect answer.  

It comes with 3 options, a long cross body strap, two clips to attach onto the pushchair (an option I love for single handle buggies as the bag doesn't slide down), and two long shoulder straps, that are significantly longer than other handbags I have used.  These longer straps are perfect for babywearing as you don't end up with the bag uncomfortably tight under your shoulder.

The bag has plenty of compartments for all your needs (12 in fact), and a changing mat and is made of a very handy wipe-clean canvas material.  As well as being incredibly practical, it also looks fantastic and comes in a gorgeous grey woodland design.

I highly recommend this changing bag as it looks and feels high quality and has enough pockets to stay organised even with two little ones in nappies!  The bag retails at £45 and you can buy it here.

Disclaimer:  I was provided with this bag for the purpose of a review but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

'That Mum'

 I am 'that mum'. 

The one who dresses her children in silly outfits for her own pleasure.  I know full well that by the time they reach their teens they may hate me for all the photos, but I am hoping that it gives me a bit of levarage when we are battling about homework to threaten to expose the picture of them as a baby in bunny ears.

I doesn't help that there are so many gorgeous little outfits out there nowadays.  

If we were not supposed to dress our babies up then they really shouldn't sell these things!

What are your views on babies in silly outfits?

A Mile in Memory of Matilda Mae

This weekend we visited the Rare Breeds Centre in Kent to join in on a sponsored walk in memory of a beautiful little girl, Matilda Mae who was found sleeping at only 9 months old.

We Joined Matilda's family and friends to walk a mile in memory through the beautiful bluebell lined paths around the park and it was wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate a life.  We helped raise money for the Lullaby trust who provide support for families affected by cot death.

Dylan walked with Grandma and Grandpa

The rain held off and after our mile, we blew bubbles up to Matilda.  We met the animals on the farms, we played in the park and we enjoyed a family day out. The only thing missing was Matilda Mae.

If you would like to donate, you can do so on  Matilda Mae's just giving page 

Aldi Mamia

I have to admit that until recently, I had never shopped in Aldi.  There is no particular reason for this, I have heard nothing good or bad about the supermarket and it is just as local as the other major competitors.  I was invited along to an event to have a look at the Aldi Mamia range and I was curious to see exactly how their products would compare to the major brands.

Aldi sell