My Top Five Products for a Feeding Mum

I have been the mum that would try breastfeeding with no pressure. I have been the mum hiding in a toilet, worried about breastfeeding in public.  I have been the mum that weaned onto bottles.  I have been the mum who knew she would breastfeed before her baby was even born.  I have been the mum proudly breastfeeding.  I have been the mum who breastfed a toddler.  I have been the mum that cup fed.  I have been the mum that bottlefeeds.  I have been the mum that does her very best for her babies, and makes sure they are fed, happy and growing.

I have breastfed, cup fed and bottle fed, and whilst there are some products brilliantly designed for a certain way of feeding, there are also a lot of products that are just fantastic for those mums that regularly feed their children.  Here are my top 5

-Muslins.

Muslins are genius things, so simple, so underated until you have a baby to feed, and then you realise their worth.  I used them as a light cover when I felt nervous feeding in public, I have used them as a burping cloth, and as a makeshift bib for a baby with reflux.  However I feed my baby, I make sure I have a muslin close at hand.

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10 Reasons I Love being a Mummy

Being a parent is one of the hardest, yet possibly the most rewarding jobs in the world and I could spend all day coming up with reasons why I love it.  Here are my top ten reasons that I love being a Mum:


Morning Smiles

Somehow, all the tired tantrums of the day before and the constant night feeds are forgotten and forgiven when I see those cheeky little grins in the morning. I can't think of a better way to start the day.

Newborn Snuggles

A newborn baby curled up asleep on your tummy is one of the best feelings in the world.  Falling asleep with them cuddled up is priceless and now that I know how fast these early days go, I am enjoying my snuggles with Archie even more

Breastfeeding

Some people hate it, some people do it purely for the health benefits and some just love it.  I am in the latter category and I love the closeness, the cuddles and the fact that only I can fulfil this need for my baby boy.  Breastfeeding also burns 500 calories per day which is a giant bonus!

The Excuse to be a Big Kid

Suddenly it is completely acceptable to splash in puddles, roll down a hill and spend the day building sandcastles.  There is an inner child in me that has never grown up and I love being able to be silly, sporadic and  get messy with the boys.

The Pride

No matter where we are going, I feel myself standing taller when I push my gorgeous children around.  I am so proud of the beautiful babies that I made and I love to show the world.

Watching the Bloke
Not only do I get to be a mummy to two beautiful boys, I get to share the journey with my best friend and watch him become a father.  I get to witness the bond between him and his sons and see them learning about each other every day.

Pushchairs

Now I know this isn't for everyone, but I appear to have a bit of a buggy obsession, and I love checking out the gorgeous new designs.  Even if you are not a fan of pushchair shopping, you can't help but admit it is lovely not to have to carry shopping bags anymore!

Seeing the World in a New Way

Dylan's excited squeals of 'WOWEE' at everything from an ant on the floor to a biscuit helps me see the wonders of the world through fresh eyes.  This morning we stopped walking to watch and giggle at the leaves blowing down the street in the wind  - something I never would have noticed had it not been for the toddler by my side.  Seeing the world through fresh eyes is invigorating.

A Purpose

Before having Dylan I hadn't quite worked out who I was, what I wanted to do and where I was going. I found out I was pregnant and suddenly I had a purpose.  A direction.  Suddenly my life had a meaning that it didn't have before and I have so many more reasons to follow my dreams.

Grandchildren
I get to give my parents two beautiful grandsons and hopefully one day my boys will give me some grandchildren too.

So those are my ten, what would you add to the list?

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Spring

The start of spring brings new life, new colours and the return of my beloved flip flops.  With the weather finally warming up though, I have been remembering all the things I love about this new season:

Washing drying on the line.  There is something really satisfying about a line of clean washing drying in the breeze and it always smells so fresh and feels so soft.

Not wearing a coat! After picking out outfits all winter and then hiding them under a coat it is nice to have a bit more freedom and a lot less bulk finally.

Walks along the Prom.  Living so close to the sea, spring gives us the perfect excuse to stretch our legs as we can go for long strolls along the sea front with an ice cream as a reward when we get to the end.

Messy play in the garden.  I may not be the most house proud, but I am not confident getting messy inside, so with a bit less chill in the air, we can go outdoors for painting and getting dirty and I am much less worried!

Eating Al Fresco.  There is something about eating outdoors that makes me pick healthier options and this can only be a good thing! There is nothing quite like sitting outdoors and enjoying a lovely meal with a beautiful view.

Getting my flip flops back out.  I love being barefoot and the next best thing is simple sandals.  As soon as the risk of frostbite has gone, I am in my flip flops and the boots don't come back out until I really have no choice!

Painting my toenails.  With the return of sandals, comes the nail varnish.  I love painting my toenails in every shade of bright and showing them off.

Fresh flowers. Suddenly gardens and parks are awash with colour and it can't help but brighten my day to see the flowers blossoming.  Dylan is already getting excited when he spots a daffodil so I can't wait for more to bloom.

Not spending a Penny. With the beach within walking distance of my house, we don't need to spend any money to have a lovely day out and Dylan is entertained for hours with a bucket and spade and somewhere to run around!

The light. Earlier mornings and later evenings mean there is so much more natural light and this makes taking a good picture much easier. I rely on my smart phone for a camera and so sunlight is definitely my friend.

Picnics in the park. As a breastfeeding mummy,  there is only so long I can spend in the park when it is chilly but with the spring sunshine we can spend all day outside.



 It may not be as warm as I would like yet, but spring is definitely on the way, and I can't wait!  What do you love about spring?

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Listography - Top 5 things I love about kids

This month's listography is titled 'Top 5 things I love about kids'.  Not necessarily your own, but what we love about the little people in general, so here are mine.

1)  I love how the smallest thing can become so magical.  The very best toy I can give Dylan is not an expensive all singing, all dancing computerised whatsit, it is something I use.  When we get on the bus, it is the bus ticket that he wants, and it will entertain him all the way home.  He is just so excited to have something that I play with too!  The sheer joy on his face when we get out a pot of bubbles is priceless.

2)  I love what they can get away with wearing.  I would never get away with a tutu and wellies but on a 3 year old?  Simply adorable.  Put me in an all in one tigger suit and I am ready for fancy dress but put a baby in one and he is ready for a day out!  Grown-up clothes are so boring and tame in comparison.

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10 Reasons Why I Love My Little Boy

So whilst slightly tipsy and very much missing my boy I started this and now sober with him in bed I have finished it.  10 reasons why I love my little boy.



1) He has learnt to wave, albeit not at the right times.  He tends to wave at me when I change his nappy, or show him a teddy he loves.  But lately, when he wakes me up in the morning I come into his room, look down into the cot and say 'hiya' and he gives me a huge cheeky grin and waves at me.  Simply adorable.

2) He has many different smiles, and I know them all.  There is the teething grimace which is a little smily but rather odd looking to be honest, there is the big open mouth smile which is pure delight.  There is his geeky little grin when he is enjoying his food, and there is the smile that says I have my mummy and I don't need anything else

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Slugs, Snails and Puppydog Tails

At the 20 week gender scan we found out that our little bundle of joy was going to be a boy.  I didn't have the patience, or the will-power to not find out the gender, and we prepared a lovely blue bedroom, stocked up on blue vests, sleepsuits and blankets, and thought about what we would name our little man.  

One year on, and it is his turn to make the discovery.  The baby has discovered his manhood.  Mr George bear  has been replaced as favourite toy.  He grabs it, pulls it and holds it.  The moment the nappy comes off it is in his hand, and I don't expect this fascination to end anytime soon ever.  He is a boy after all.

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Listography- April Goals

As it is the beginning of a shiny new month, Kate Takes 5 has started a Listography of April goals.  Here are mine in no particular order;

1) I am not known for having a spotless house, in fact it is quite the opposite.  I find it very hard to get anything done when the baby is awake, and when he is asleep I have the blog to write, facebook to keep up with and a lunch to eat without fear of it being snatched away.  My first April goal is therefore to clear my bedroom floor. I said it.  Now I guess I have to do it.  But as I need 5, I shall put it off for just a little longer.

NOT my actual bedroom

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Why I couldn't be a midwife

After much careful deliberation, I have decided that midwifery could never be the career from me.  After watching a lot of One Born Every Minute, I have decided my favourite part of the job is the cups of tea and biscuits that seem common in the staff room.  I am in awe of real life midwifes, but it is not the job for me, and here is why;

1)  I would be an emotional wreck.
 I cry at every single episode of OBEM- I cannot imagaine how I would be in real life.  Babies have a way of turning to me into mush, which has only got worse since having one.

2) I don't do bodily fluids.

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Welcome to our world

Hello and welcome to our world.


      We- in this case- is myself, Bex and my son Dylan who is 25 weeks old ( 6 months next Thursday).  Dylan entered the world on 2nd August 2011 and turned my life upside down- although I think of it more as him turning it the right way up.  




     From the moment he entered the world I was in love, and even with feeds every two hours in the night, nappies that stink the house out and the terrible state of my roots ( now that I feel Dylan is too old to sit in the buggy for 3 hours whilst I get my hair done) I very rarely feel otherwise.




     I love writing lists, and not the practical 'to do' lists (I write them, but 6 months later I still haven't finished everything on my list for that day).  I like writing any lists, and pregnancy gave me many opportunities from 'baby names', 'things we need for a newborn' and 'Books I want my son to own', to 'names that don't need a surname' (like Thor, and Caesar) and 'what colour buggies I am allowed that aren't too girly' (we ended up with mulberry).




This blog is very likely therefore, to contain many lists both relevant and irrelevant to parenthood, and to start with here is a list of things Dylan and I DO NOT agree on:




1.  When acceptable mealtimes are.  Other than when you are drunk and the kebabs are calling, 3am has never been snack time- especially not every night!


2. That there is a time and a place.  When the extended family is all sat round the dinner time for a special meal, farting so loudly you wake yourself up- although highly amusing, is not general table manners.  It was however extremely funny and as he was only a few weeks old I shall give him time to learn this one.


3.  What tastes nice:  The floor does not.  Mummy's hair does not.  Towels do not.  Teddies do not.  In his defence he hasn't tried chocolate fudge cake yet, but still . . .!


4.  Where his mouth is.  He insists on trying to feed himself but combines it with face painting, highchair painting and floor painting at the same time.  Mummy can get it straight in there nice and neatly, but that's no fun!




Things that we DO agree on:




1. That napping should be part of everyday life.  I could quite easily nap everyday, and probably for longer than he can!


2. Being fed every two hours is nice, but I prefer something more exciting than milk every time.


3.  The importance of cuddles.


4. That the only way I am getting out of bed at 6am is if I get LOTS of smiles, and even then I will find it very hard to reciprocate.

Well hopefully you will come back and enjoy the journey with us!
Bex and Dylan

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