Thursday 31 October 2013

Happy Halloween


Happy Halloween from my little pumpkins and I!

We are off on a trick or treat trail later round some local shops and will be sporting skeleton onesies and devil horns.  Have a spooktacular day!
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Wednesday 30 October 2013

Halloween Party for Toddlers

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.


I have always loved Halloween; the excuse to dress up and eat lots of sweet treats, and although the boys are still too young to really appreciate it, I decided to throw a little party for them and a few of their friends.  It seemed a great excuse to get them together and a lovely Sunday afternoon activity.

A trip to Tescos for supplies and a few home-made touches, and here are the final results.


I made hanging white ghosts using
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Buggy Snuggle

With winter on its way, my priority is keeping my beautiful babies warm.  We love to be out an about come snow or sun and so a footmuff is an essential.

I have previously bought the footmuffs that go with our pushchairs but as Dylan has grown, he has grown out of some and we also have a few new pushchairs since last winter, so I have been looking for some universal footmuffs that we can transfer between double and single.  




Buggysnuggle are known for their funky designs and adaptable footmuffs and we were not dissapointed.  I went for the same print but in different colours and I love how they look in the double buggy.
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Tuesday 29 October 2013

Personalised Book Bundle Giveaway

My children have a lot of books.  They have them in their playroom, in their bedrooms and in the nappy bag for trips out.  I loved books as a child (I still do) and I really want to instil in them a love of reading, an imagination and an appreciation of the written word.

A book can transport you to a magical place, it can give you time away from reality, it can teach you, it can show you how to express your feelings.  We have books that have been read to death, with bent corners and tatty covers, and books that live on the top shelf as they are special, ones that come out only for bedtime stories.


I have a wonderful giveaway for you this week, to win your choice of personalised story as well as a bundle of themed books to go with it.  What's more, is that the winner will get their books in plenty of time for Christmas - the perfect present for a special little person.
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Monday 28 October 2013

Aunties

I am lucky enough to have lots of amazing aunties in my life.  I grew up in a very close family and I want the same for my boys.  I want them to have relatives to play with, learn from and turn to and they are very lucky to have a special Aunty in my little sister.


Aunty NatNat loves
the boys and they love her too. She doesn't live close by any more but we love an excuse to go and visit her, and when she comes down here for a few days.
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Saturday 26 October 2013

Pampers and Unicef

This month I got to tick something else off of my bucket list.  I got to meet a real life spice girl!

Yep, that's right, I met Emma Bunton and she is quite possibly the most down to earth celebrity I have ever met!

Emma is an ambassador for Unicef and they have teemed up with pampers for their 1 pack, 1 vaccine campaign.  For every pack of pampers bought, they will donate one vaccine to protect against maternal and newborn tetanus to a country that desperately needs it.  Newborn tetanus should have been wiped out already, but poor access to healthcare means it is still a killer in far too many countries.

Although I am primarily a cloth nappy user, we do still use disposables on occasion and this is a campaign I fully believe in.  As a mother, my instinct is to protect my children, and I will do everything in my power to keep them safe and well.  Knowing that other mothers can't do this for their children and are helplessly watching them suffer is absolutely heartbreaking.

Since the campaign began 8 years ago, they have successfully eliminated maternal and newborn tetanus in 10 countries, helping to protect 100 million women from the deadly disease.  There is so much more that can still be done though.

Not only are pampers donating one vaccine for every pack sold, they are also donating a vaccine for every view of this video, so if you have a minute, then please take a look





Disclaimer:  I was invited along to an even with Pampers to learn more about this campaign
but I have chosen to write this post as it is a campaign I really believe in.


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Wednesday 23 October 2013

The Toadstool - Haba Toys Review

With Christmas looming, I think we are all starting to think about what to buy the little people in our lives.  As both our boys are still so young, we have decided not to go overboard this year and choose a few special things to buy.  I know they will be spoilt by family and friends but I love choosing things that I know they will love and I have been keeping an eye out for the perfect gifts.

As Toadstool Toy Testers, we were sent something to review for each of the boys and they have both enjoyed their wooden toys.  Dylan is puzzle mad and always have been, and this wooden pirate puzzle from Haba is exactly the kind of thing I will be getting him for Christmas this year.  He has progressed from the wooden board puzzles, but often the next stage puzzles are flimsy and easily broken (especially with a teething baby around).  This puzzle features 9 wooden pieces which are much more robust and can handle a little chew now and again (although we will be much more vigilant once Archie gets some teeth!)

haba puzzles, the toadstool, wooden pirate puzzle, wooden 9 piece puzzle, puzzles for two year olds

Dylan loves all things pirate so this was an immediate hit.  The puzzle says suitable for ages  2+, and at 26 months this is perfect for my little man.  He is particularly interested in puzzles though so I would say that this would be a perfect present for a 2.5/3 year old this Christmas.  The pieces are easy to slot together and once you have the puzzle mastered, you can play spot the difference between the completed puzzle and the image on the board.


 What I really love though, is that as the puzzle fits into the board it is easy to store, with no loose pieces or bulky boxes.  The puzzle is a great price at £8 which I think is very reasonable as this is a puzzle that will last through several children.  For parents like myself that want to choose a few special gifts, I would highly recommend this.

haba wooden puzzle, toddler puzzle, pirate ship puzzle for toddlers

Archie is well into teething territory yet his smile is still gummy.  Every toy is thoroughly explored with his eyes, hands and mouth and he has been testing a  toot toot clutching toy from Haba.

haba clutching toy, the toadstool, wooden baby toy, wooden car baby toy

This wooden ring features cars and signs and has a little bell that rings when it is shaken (or thrown as he has a tendency to do).  Archie seems fascinated with it and it is not exciting enough for his big brother to decide he 'needs' it as soon as it comes out to play.


It is an easy toy to pop in the changing bag and great for little gums.  I really love wooden toys and this is no exception.  I have no idea how it will hold up once teeth are added into the equation but we haven't had to worry about that yet.


If you are looking for inspiration for the little people in your life, then these wooden toys are beautiful and well made and I certainly prefer them to their plastic equivalents.


Disclaimer:  We were sent these products for the purpose of this review as part of our role as Toadstool Toy Testers
 but all thoughts, opinions and photos are completely my own.











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Monday 21 October 2013

8 Months In

Archie has reached 8 months old and he seems on a mission to grow up.  Although he is not yet crawling, he is mobile enough to get to what he wants one way or another.

He rolls, wiggles and pushes on his legs to propel himself in all directions and is busy exploring.  Unlike his brother who was more than happy sat still at this age, Archie is desperate to be on the go and he will chew anything that gets in his way.  He is happiest on his tummy and now always sleeps on it.  I was putting him down on his side, but he immediately rolls now to get comfy.

Archie is teething rather badly, and when I took his amber anklet off for a couple of days I could really tell.  I don't know if it is co-incidence but as soon as it went back on he was like a different baby, smilier, happier and much better at sleeping!  He still hasn't got any teeth and I love the gummy baby grin but I know that it won't be long at all now.


Archie is eating three meals a day now, porridge or cereal for breakfast on a spoon and then he feeds himself lunch and dinner.  His appetite seems to be growing and he is loving trying new foods.  He seems to prefer savoury to sweet at the moment and would rather chomp on courgette than strawberry (certainly not like his mother!)

We are still breastfeeding, and despite preparing to stop at this stage with Dylan and slowly introducing bottles, I know that Archie and I are not ready to end our feeding journey just yet.  I don't really have any expectations of how long we will carry on for, but I think I will know when the time is right and it certainly isn't now.  He still feeds quite often in the day and has one or two feeds in the night as well. He usually ends up coming into bed with me at around 6am as he is hard to settle but in all honesty, I love the cuddles and will be a little sad when he starts lasting all night in his cot.


Archie and Dylan seem to be getting on better than ever and they are beautiful to watch together.  When they are in the double pushchair and Dylan is tired, he wants to hold Archie's hand and I love watching them sit like that.  When Archie gets tired or has a little winge, Dylan looks up at me and says 'I make it better', and then sings Archie Twinkle twinkle little star.  Archie loves his big brother singing to him and instantly calms down and it melts my heart to see them being so sweet together.  

Archie is still growing well and is going into his 9-12 month wardrobe now.  He weighs just over 19lb and is still very long for his age.  Dylan looks an awful lot like his Daddy but it is very easy to see my side of the family in Archie.  I think you can tell that they are brothers, but they look so different from each other still in so many ways too.


8 months into our adventures as a family of four and things are only getting better!




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Sunday 20 October 2013

20 Facts about Me

I love recording our lives and writing all about my beautiful boys, but the lovely Sarah shared 20 facts about herself and tagged me to do the same and I liked the challenge.  It wasn't easy and I can't promise all or even any will be particularly interesting, but here are 20 facts about me.


1. Despite being made to mime in my primary school choir, I sang for a couple of years in my local church choir.

2. I had my nose pierced for a couple of years in my early twenties but had to take it out for work reasons.  I still have my ears, my belly and my tongue pierced though.

3. My degree is in English Literature but I also studied modules in Psychology and Greek Mythology.

4. I am a bit like Joey from freinds when it comes to food - I am terrible at sharing.

5. My hair has been every colour under the sun, red, blue, blonde, black . . . but I haven't seen its natural colour for well over 10 years now.

6. I love to travel and have so many places I still want to see.  Top of the list at the moment is doing the Trans-Siberian through Russia.



7. I love having cosy feet and like to have a pair of slippers in every room of the house so I never have to hunt for them.

8. My favourite Christmas film of all time is Miracle on 34th Street - we watched it every year when I was growing up and I can't wait to introduce my boys to it.

9. I always have the TV on an odd number for volume.  It drives my sister crazy (she is all about the evens) but I have to have it on an odd.

10. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I would put everything into storage and go travelling for a year with my boys.  I would love to show them the world, and why not now?

11. I love a cheesy chick flick and my favourite movie is 10 things I hate about you.

12. I never wear my socks in pairs (unless it is a complete accident).  Life is too short to waste time pairing up socks.

13. I don't have a driving licence despite hundreds of lessons and several tests*

14. My favourite colour is red.

15. I had both my boys in the same hospital that I was born in.

16. I have only ever ridden a horse once and that was on a cattle ranch in the Australian outback.



17. I love cheese in every form, especially cheesecake.

18. Before my buggy obsession started, it was all about the heels and I have several bookcases full of shoes in my house.

19. I am incredibly messy - If there are ever photos of inside my house on this blog then I probably tidied up especially for them.

20. When I was younger, my mum used to take me to musicals as a birthday treat and I still have a huge love for them.

So there we have it, Me in 20 facts.  If you fancy joining in then let me know!




*More than 5, less than 8 - some people should just not be on the road and I am clearly one of them!


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Saturday 19 October 2013

Mamas and Papas Kid's Clothes Review

I am pretty sure that Dylan boasts a better wardrobe than me, and he is turning into quite a trendy little toddler.  Mamas and Papas have recently sent us an outfit each for both Dylan and Archie and we have been busy testing their new togs.


Dylan was sent a shirt, bow tie and skinny jeans (which are now in the sale).  The shirt and bow tie are not something I would usually choose for him, but the jeans I just love.


The shirt is well made and the material is lovely, but I will be teaming it with an open neck, rolled up sleeves and a white T-shirt for the little man as it seems more practical for everyday wear.  It is perfect for smart occasions though with the funky bow tie and I know it will get worn as it is meant for parties and special occasions.  The jeans are wonderfully soft and stretchy and perfect for an active toddler.  I love the material and Dylan has been getting a lot of use out of these.  I will definitely be looking in Mamas and Papas for his jeans in future as the stretchy waistband and cut means they are a great fit.


I love Archie is sleepsuits and I think with the colder weather he can get away with them still as day wear for those lazy days.  This velour sleepsuit looks very neat from the front as the poppers are all on the back.  This is really comfy for Archie as he tends to play either sitting up or lying on his tummy and sleeps on his tummy too.  I love the contrast on the bottom of the feet and the orange stripes look really funky. This is not something I would have probably chosen off the shelf but it is lovely and cosy and Archie has been wearing it lots.  I can see it will be perfect over the winter and easy to put a snowsuit over the top of whilst keeping Archie as comfy as possible.  We have used it at night and it is thicker than our other sleepsuits, but I think it is too nice to be kept hidden away so it is mainly used as daywear.


The quality of the Mamas and Papas clothes is amazing, they feel durable, comfortable and soft, and I think both outfits look great. 

Disclaimer:  We were sent these items free of charge for the purpose of this review 
but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.



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Wednesday 16 October 2013

A Big Camera

You may have noticed that I take photos of my boys .  .  . a lot.

While I don't pretend to know what I am doing, I love recording their childhoods and I see their beauty in each and every picture of them.  I have been relying on my trusty camera phone until now though, but this week I took the plunge and invested in a DSLR - a 'proper' camera.

I am pretty sure that I will be using it in Auto settings for quite some time, but I am really enjoying having a play around and hopefully you will see my photography improve over the coming months.  

I thought I would share some photos from the first two days with my new camera so that hopefully I can look back in a few months and see some improvements:

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Tuesday 15 October 2013

The Ultimate Baby Bag - Review

I have been through several changing bags in the 2 years since my first child was born, some that have looked like baby bags and a couple that disguised it well.  Having two children in nappies, two that require snacks and sippy cups and two sets of spare clothes means that I will be carrying a baby bag for quite some time.


Nova Harley, ultimate baby bag, leather changing bag, changing bag review

We were sent a bag from Nova Harley to review,
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Monday 14 October 2013

Simple Pleasures

I can give my toddler all the shiny plastic toys in the world, but at the end of the day, the thing that makes him happiest is the great outdoors.  He has always preferred being outside, since his newborn days and come rain, snow or shine - if he is given a choice, he will be in the garden.


We can spend half an hour in the park enjoying the swings and the slides, and then
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Sunday 13 October 2013

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Toy Review

Dylan's favourite TV programme is currently Disney Junior's Jake and the Neverland Pirates, although he has always reffered to it as Yo Ho! We were recently sent some character toys to review from Fisher Price and the little dude has been loving trying them out.

We were sent two bath toy sets; A Pirate boat complete with characters and a set of three themed squirter toys.  They immediately got mixed up together and have led to hours of bath time fun.


The boat attaches to the side of the bath with two sucker pads and seems very sturdy.  There are two places where you can pour water in, and it falls down through the boat via several little holes.  Dylan had fun scooping water up with the little boat and pouring it, watching it run down the slide and back into the bath.  He also had fun making the smaller Jake slide down the slide and into the bath.

Jake and the neverland pirates, bath toy, pirate ship bath toy, fisher price bath toys

The squirting toys are a good size and hold plenty of water.  The Tic Toc Crocodile was a favourite and fited in well with the ducks, frogs and various bath toys we already own.  The bath toys are easy to play with, encouraging of imagination and not too fiddly.  There is nothing to put together and they are ready to go straight from the box.




We were also sent a pirate rock guitar to review.  Dylan's favourite aspect of the show is the music so I was interested to see how he would get on with the guitar.  I do think that he is slightly too young for this toy although it is marketed at slightly older children (aged 3+) so that is no surprise.  The yellow plastic 'strings' can be strummed and the white cross bones can be moved up and down, both of these actions resulting in short bursts of music or pirate phrases.

jake and the neverland pirates guitar, toddler guitar, fisher price guitar, pirate rock guitar

Dylan does love the music and has a mini boogie everytime it plays but he hasn't been reaching for this toy as much as I expected him too.  It is limited in is functions but I think an older child would have much more fun being creative with it (Dylan has only just turned 2).  I was impressed that batteries were included and it could be used as soon as it was out of the box.  I do think this is a good toy, the sound quality is really impressive, and the guitar is easy to use, even for toddlers, but I do think the optimum age for this is around 3 years old. Alternatively, the bloke had a lot of fun with this, and highly recommends it so maybe it would be a perfect Christmas present for the 29 year old in your life?



We have had great fun testing these toys and I think the pirate ship bath toy is our favourite.  I think they would make great Christmas presents for a little Jake and the Neverland Pirates fan.

Disclaimer:  We were sent these products free of charge for the purpose of this review 
but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
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Wednesday 9 October 2013

Exploring Autumn with a Toddler

I love Autumn and this year I wanted to show Dylan exactly why.  I had a think about some different activities we could do to really explore the season at it's best and then invited along a few of his friends as well for some Autumn activities in the park.

Last Sunday, we met under the bandstand in the park and I had set up a few little stations with things for the toddlers to do.  15 children and their parents came along to explore with us.

Using some of the leftover Dulux paint charts from my Easter egg hunt, I made scavenger hunt cards.  Each piece of cardboard had six coloured cards on, and the children had to find something in the park for each of the colours.  I thought this would be a great way to get the toddlers talking and they soon filled their bags with red leaves, yellow flowers and white feathers.


We then used the findings of our hunt to make pictures, and the little ones loved being let loose with a glue stick and some colouring pens.
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Fisher Price High Chair

You may have seen that we have been testing some lovely Fisher Price toys recently, and we have been very impressed with them all.  Well we have also been sent their new Evolve high chair and it has really been put to the test with our little Archie and some baby led weaning.

fisher price evolve, fisher price high chair, grow with me high chair, easy clean high chair

The high chair was really simple to put together, and I managed it with only a toddler to help out (or hinder).  The height is adjustable via small buttons on the feet, so the high chair is always the right height for the table.  

The tray is detatchable and easy to clean, and the orange back panel is also easy to remove and can be stuck through the washing machine (on a cold hand wash cycle) which is very useful as my little man causes quite a mess! We have been using the chair for a few weeks and the orange panel has been washed 3 times before these photos were taken - it scrubs up pretty well!  There is no recline on this chair but the seat cushion keeps baby in a great position and as it is not advised to start weaning until they can sit unaided it isn't really an issue.

fisher price evolve high chair, easy clean high chair, baby to toddler high chair

This high chair is really easy to clean which I have realised is actually my top priority when searching for baby gear.  With the seat pad removed, it can be wiped down and there are no crevices for food to get stuck in.  

The seat has a 5 point harness for strapping your little person in, but I have to admit to being really lazy at using it as I know that Archie doesn't even attempt to escape, so I find it very useful that the tray has a support between the legs to stop the little one sliding through.


What I also love about this seat is that it grows with your child.  The seat can be removed and used as a booster seat on a normal dining chair.  The orange cover is removed and the high back also comes off to create the perfect boost for a toddler.  This change does involve a screwdriver and is not one we have attempted yet but I will be doing an update in a couple of months to show you how the seat copes with a toddler.

I do find that even folded, the high chair is rather bulky.  This isn't a problem as we use it several times a day but if you are short on space then do have a think.

baby led weaning high chair, fisher price evolve

The highchair retails at around £80 which I think is a reasonable price considering that the seat grows with your baby. It is an investment and the chair seems good quality so I think it would certainly last well.


Disclaimer:  We were sent this highchair free of charge for the purpose of this review 
but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
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Monday 7 October 2013

My 26 Month Old

My big little man is now 26 months old and his little character is coming out more and more every single day.  He is cheeky, funny, sweet and beautiful.  He is lively, chatty and desperate to learn about the world around him.  I want to take a mental snapshot of this wonderful age.

He is growing up, and always hungry.  Despite eating a breakfast the same size as mine, as soon as he has eaten the last mouthful, he insists on asking for lunch, dinner and a snack as he is still hungry.  He could probably talk about food all day long and he loves zooming round the house on his skuttlebug going to the 'shops' for bananas and apples.


He is losing the baby talk (although still needs a translator sometimes), but my favourite word he says is crocodile, I don't know why, but it just sounds so cute! His vocabulary gives us a peek into his imagination and I can already see what a magical place it is.

He is having a few issues between you and me which can get confusing when he is desperate for 'you do it' and I am not sure quite which 'you' he means.  Things are often 'mine' instead of 'my' which just sounds a little German when he is shouting 'Mine Biscuit!'

He loves looking at photos, but if the photo is of himself from more than a few months ago he is convinced it is Archie instead. We can spend ages going through photo albums though and he loves going round the house looking at photos on the wall and letting me know who is in them.

He is a big boy and going into some of his 3-4 year clothing.  He is slimming down as he gets more active but still has very much a toddler figure.

He loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates and In The Night Garden and suddenly has found a real interest in TV, although he still won't sit still to watch it.  He likes anything with a good catchy song and is really starting to recognise things, even if he has only seen them once or twice before.

Despite breaking his leg this summer and having only been walking again for around 6 weeks, he is back to normal and has been learning to climb better at the park.  He still has a little catching up to do but I am so proud of how well he is doing.  He is really trying to jump but as yet can't get both feet off the floor together.


His favourite toys are puzzles and his pushchair.  He has moved on to 6,9 and 12 piece floor puzzles now although still needs help for some of the trickier ones.  He loves pushing Mickey Mouse around in his little blue buggy and asks to take it with him everytime we go out.

We have taken the sides off of Dylan's cot now, and he is loving his new found freedom.  He comes into our room in the morning and sits on the bed reading books whilst he waits for us to wake up and take him down stairs.  He doesn't seem particularly bothered by it at all and when he slept in a cot at my parent's house, he didn't mind at all.

He is cheeky, energetic and full of life.  A whirlwind who loves to crash, plane spot and eat biscuits and a fantastic big brother.  My 26 month old is my little buddy and I am enjoying watching him grow into such a beautiful little boy.








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Saturday 5 October 2013

So Big, yet So Small

At 7 months, I thought Dylan was so big, and in so many ways he was.  He was comfortably sitting, dressed in his 12-18 month jeans and T-shirt and eating three big meals a day.  He looked older than his months and compared to that helpless little newborn, he had come so far.  I moved him from his infant car seat to his group 1 as he was far too tall and well over the weight requirements for his 'big boy seat', and I watched him take in everything in awe and wonder.

Everything is different the second time around.  Rather than comparing Archie to the tiny baby he once was, I compare him to his older brother, who walks and talks and is a little boy not afraid to speak his mind.  Compared to him, Archie is still so small and so fragile still.  He is not yet crawling and his smile is still gummy.  He hasn't mastered any sounds other than blowing raspberries and he is as reliant on me as ever.


Although the months are flying by, and all the signs show me how much Archie is growing, I am reluctant to let go of the baby mentality.  Archie is still nursed to sleep, he still wears sleepsuits all day long when we are having a quiet day and his porridge in the mornings is still fed to him on a spoon.  I am ignoring the fact that the 6-9 month vests are slowly being packed away as the 9-12 month hoodies come out of storage.  I am ignoring the fact that Archie is quite content to feed himself, and is busy mastering his pincer grip.

I am ignoring the fact that today I noticed a change in his laugh.  It no longer sounds like that newborn giggle that I loved for so long, but it is now the big belly laugh of a small child.  It is louder, longer and just as beautiful but it is different and bigger and more grown up.

Archie still needs me and there is something so heartwarming about being needed that much, even if it is hard to remember that during the night feeds.  When he cuddles into me in the dark to fall back asleep, he is just so tiny and so fragile that I bring my knees up to warm him and protect him as a natural instinct.  

My little man is so big in so many ways, 7 months have seen so many changes and so many milestones but he is still so little, so precious and my baby boy.




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Friday 4 October 2013

Name It Clothing Review

I love boy's fashion and blogging has introduced me to so many amazing brands that I had previously never heard of.  There will always be space in the boy's wardrobes for some supermarket bargains but I love finding them something different which usually involves online shopping. 

I discovered the Swedish brand 'Name It' through Zalando earlier in the year and brought the boys some adorable fire engine vests.  When Name It contacted me a few weeks later, I couldn't wait to see what they would send me and I wasn't disappointed.  


Dylan was sent a pair of swimming shorts, some blue turn-up trousers and a checked shirt.  Archie has a pair of pyjamas, a blue T-shirt and a pair of jeans.  The quality of all the items is superb and they are really not that expensive at all - the same prices as you would pay at many high street stores.  


The pyjamas are soft and stretchy and I love Archie in them.  They wash well and haven't lost any of their shape.  The T-shirt is bright and the print is saying on perfectly.  The jeans are not the style I usually go for with Archie and they wouldn't fit a cloth nappy underneath but they are a great fit in a disposable.


Dylan's shirt and trousers look really smart and he wore them recently to a friend's wedding.  The shirt is soft and washes well and the trousers are perfect for this weather as they are quite thin yet seem hardwearing (as I need them to be with a toddler!)  The swimming shorts are a great fit and got plenty of use this summer at the beach.

I am really impressed with all of the items, they are great quality, wash well and the boys love wearing them.  Name It have some lovely stuff on their website and I am eyeing up a rocket tee an these gorgeous cord dungarees for their winter wardrobes.




Disclaimer:  I was sent these clothes free of charge for the purpose of this review,
but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
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Wednesday 2 October 2013

Little Dates with my Big Boy

Since Archie arrived and turned our little three into a family of four, I haven't had much time to spend with Dylan.  After 18 months of having my sole attention, he now has to share it with a rather deamanding little brother.  Considering what a huge change this is, he has coped so amazingly well, but I miss the little things that we used to do together.


Archie, being both breastfed and quite clingy has not made it easy for me to leave him, but we are finally at that stage where a little independence is welcome and I am looking forward to lots of little dates with my big boy over the winter.  


This weekend, I managed to get a couple of hours alone with my toddler and it was liberating to leave the buggy and the changing bag at home and head to the park for some one on one time.  We walked and we talked, we climbed, we swung, we slid and we did plenty of giggling.  We enjoyed each others company and we made the most of it.


It may only be a couple of hours every once in a while, but I loved spending time with my wonderful toddler with no distractions and I could see that he loved it too.


I love my boys and our family of four, but I think it is so important to give them all that special attention too.  

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Boob Breastfeeding Bras

I exceeded my expectations by several months when I breastfed Dylan, and I knew that when my little baby squish was born, I would feed him too.  When Archie entered the world, he latched on to feed like it was something he had always done, and I was lucky enough not to have any issues with breastfeeding.

I knew that I wanted to feed Archie for at least as long as I fed his brother, 9 months and so this time round, rather than surviving on cheap bras as I wasn't sure how long I would continue for, I was more than happy to spend money on well fitted, comfortable and good looking underwear as I knew that I would be in it for quite some time. 

Boob contacted me about reviewing their Boob nursing bras, and I was more than happy to oblige and see if this was a product that would work well for us.  Their nursing bras look great and are much more fun than many of the high street alternatives.  

Nursing Bra Fast Food - Dotted

This may well be one of the most comfortable bras I have ever worn and I have slept in it more times that I can recount.  The back is well padded, the cups are stretchy enough to accommodate growth in the early days and between feeds and the material is lovely and soft.

One thing I found particularly great, especially in the summer months is that when you unclip the bra to feed, your whole boob is not exposed as with some nursing bras.  This is great when I am just in a vest or strappy dress as I can feed much more discreetly without having to cover my baby's head.

I did find that despite the bra giving me a seamless silhouette, I do prefer a bit more shape to my underwear and it didn't give me quite the same boost as some.  This isn't to say that it was not incredibly supportive, but I have found that I use the bra more for sleeping in (as it is so comfortable) than I do under clothes in the day.

The Boob nursing bra is priced at £45 which I do find quite steep for a nursing bra, yet after a few months of use, it still looks and feels like new, and it is hard to put a price on comfort in those first few months.  The bra is incredibly practical, looks great and feels so comfortable.  For me personally, its main use is as a night bra but you can check out some other reviews here:


Archie is now 7.5 months and I know that I won't be stopping breastfeeding in the near future.  For a bra that will be worn so much for so long, I think it is really important to invest in one that you find comfortable.


Disclaimer:  I was sent this product free of charge for the purpose of this review 
but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
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