Joe Browns Review and Giveaway

I don't very often get to shop for myself, and I have a tendency to head straight to the childrenswear department in any store, so I was happy to say yes when Joe Browns offered me the chance to choose something for myself.  I initially went for a lovely summer dress but unfortunately I found the sizing quite big and couldn't get a dress that fitted.  I had no problems choosing something else and went for a lovely blue tunic top and some sandals.

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The Beach Life

We are lucky enough to have a beach within walking distance from our house and this year we plan on making the most of it.  It will be our first proper summer as a family of four (as we spent most of last summer in hospital) and it has started well with sunshine, the sand to ourselves and a sneaky ice cream or two. These are a few photos from our week.

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Fathers Day Gift Ideas

Fathers day is very nearly upon us and if you haven't started shopping for the man in your life then you are not alone.  The bloke has very kindly offered to test a few fathers day gift ideas (it is really hard work living with a blogger sometimes), so check out his reviews below.

The Braun 380s-4 Electric Razor

What they say:

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The End of Something

It has been over three and a half years since my body felt truly my own, and it is strange to have it back.  After two pregnancies and two stints of breastfeeding, it doesn't come naturally to put on a pretty bra and a fitted dress.  Last week I breastfed Archie for the last time, without having a clue that it was to be the end and I suddenly find myself not 'needed' in the same way I have been for so long.

I knew I was going to miss one feed as I wouldn't be around at bedtime, but Archie chose the night before and after to sleep through the night, meaning I missed three feeds in a row and when he didn't seem bothered on the second night it felt right to bring things to an end.  It had been on the cards for a few weeks but I had no idea on that warm spring evening as we curled up together in the rocking chair that it would be our last breastfeed.

Our journey was relatively smooth and enjoyable.  I wanted to breastfeed for at least eight months but was sure I would finish by a year.  By eleven months we were only feeding at home but neither of us was ready to stop so we continued with no plan or goal in mind.  Archie is now fifteen months and an active, energetic toddler.  He is walking, talking, causing mischief wherever he goes and operating any machinery he can get close to.  He has had the best start in life that I could give him and I feel happy that we had what we had.

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Personalised Newborn Gifts

I love buying gifts for newborns and always have.  Before I had given motherhood a second thought, I would browse the aisles in Mothercare looking for the perfect little outfit for a new baby.  Now as a mother to two beautiful boys, I still get  excited when friends and family welcome new babies and I have an excuse to shop for a newborn.  I love personalised presents, and thought I would round up my top 5 personalised gifts for new babies.

My 1st Years

My 1st Years sell a range of personalised gifts suitable for newborns, but it is the summer romper that I love as a Newborn gift.  The romper comes beautifully packaged in their signature green box with white bow.  The material is light and strong and you can have any name embroidered on the front, with a choice of threads.  I love this as a gift for a new baby as it looks incredibly comfortable, easy to put on and good quality.  Most new parents end up with a huge amount of newborn clothes and not much in the bigger sizes, so this is a great gift all year round as you can plan ahead.

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Just the Three of Us

Our lives seem busy, without me really being able to explain why.  Playdates, play groups, picnics in the park, people to see and places to be.  For two days a week the boys are in childcare whilst I work and for at least one day every week we have an extra toddler whilst I look after a friend's little boy.  At the weekends we enjoy time as a family of four and it is lovely having two of us around to do the parenting.

That doesn't leave a whole lot of time with just the boys and I, and after an extended maternity leave where we spent nearly a year just the three of us, we are still adjusting to the changes.  The time I do spend with my children is all the more special because of this.

We don't do anything particularly exciting, and that is what I most enjoy.  No day trips, long journeys or big days out.  We stay close to home so that we can enjoy each other's company.  We play at the park, we walk into town to pick up some groceries and have a cake at our favourite tea rooms, we play with playdough on the dining room table or we have a picnic in the garden.  

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Playing Outdoors with Megablocks

I have noticed a direct correlation between how much of the day my children spend outdoors, and how well they sleep.  They are boys who love to be outside, who thrive on freedom, space and fresh air.  From the moment they wake up in the morning, Dylan is asking me where we are going, and Archie is making a pile of shoes at my feet in, letting me know in his not-so-subtle way that he is ready to get out.

Megabloks sent us some of their outdoor toys to help us get out to play and they were a huge hit with the boys.  I hadn't realised that the Megabloks range went further than the blocks we know and love, but their ride ons and trucks helped us take the toys outdoors and we have been having lots of fun in the garden.

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