The May Bank Holiday Weekend

The May bank holidays are very often hit or miss with the weather and I was so relieved to see the sun shining brightly over the recent weekend.  The bloke spent four days in Brussels and so the littles and I spent lots of time with their Grandma, Grandpa, Aunty and Uncle.  I always think of bank holidays as being about family time and this one was no exception.

We are incredibly lucky to live so close to the beach and after a quick pop to the shops and lunch in the garden we headed down to the seaside for sandcastles, shell sorting and sunbathing.  My parents have jumped straight into their role as grandparents and seem in their element playing with the boys.  They have so much time and love to give them, I just love to watch them together. With Dylan's ever improving vocabulary, he is so much fun and he absolutely adores his 'Manma' and 'Bumpa'.  Archie is still small but has enough cuddles for everyone.

You're so funny Grandma!

Archie had special smiles for the special people in his life and the sea air definitely did him good as we had the best night's sleep after our day outdoors.  Dylan also managed a glorious lie in on Tuesday morning which was much appreciated by all!

After a busy afternoon building sandcastles, collecting shells which were then washed and sorted, exploring, chatting, playing, snoozing, sunbathing, walking and laughing, we sat outside our beach hut for a good old fish and chips tea.  I took home two very exhausted boys and I can't say I had much more energy myself.  A beautiful bank holiday spent with some very beautiful people.

The boys were sent some clothes from Debenham's Childrenswear which they are wearing, Archie was in a gorgeous romper and Dylan in some lovely sail boat shorts.  I love the nautical theme and they were the perfect outfits for our beach day.

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Breastfeeding buddies

The only things that you NEED for breastfeeding are boobs and a baby.  There are however an amazing selection of products to make life easier for mother and baby at such an important time, and I wanted to share some of the products that we have been using on our breastfeeding journey

• A Good Nursing Bra

Your boobs will go on a journey all of their own during pregnancy and afterwards and it is well worth investing in some good support.  I was sent a couple of bras and a vest from Bravado and I can really feel the difference that a well fitted and supportive nursing bra makes.  They are easy to un-clip to feed discreetly which is very important to me because as proud as I am to be breastfeeding my son, I prefer to stay covered up.  I love the vest for sleeping in as it is easy access and the supported section keeps breastpads in place.

• Muslins

Muslins are my absolute most important baby accessory.  I use them as pram sheets, burping cloths, sun covers, makeshift bibs, nappy inserts and breastfeeding covers.  There are a lot of fancy covers out there but I have mastered the art of a muslin tucked into my bra strap and fanned out to cover my feeding baby.  They are thin and breathable and I have literally hundreds of them!  Over the winter (and spring/autumn) a scarf is also a great cover and looks so discreet.  Just use the tail to cover babies head and nobody will even notice what you are doing half the time!

• Nursing Clothes

I have a huge selection of cheap vests that I wear under everything so that I never have to expose that post baby bulge.  I pull my T-shirt up and the vest down meaning that nothing unnecessary is exposed.  There are some occassions though where I just want to wear a dress or something pretty so It is definitely worth investing in a few key pieces.  Keungzai do some gorgeous dresses that last through pregnancy, nursing and beyond and they are beautifully soft.  I was sent one at the end of my pregnancy and it still feels like new!

• Bottles

This may not make complete sense, but eventually you will want to leave your baby, even if it is for only a few hours and it is best to leave them something to drink incase they get hungry.  I have always found hand expressing easier than using a pump but I still need a steriliser and bottles for feeding the little man my expressed milk.  Tommee Tippee sent me their complete starter kit which has everything you need for bottle feeding and more than enough for breastfeeding.  Archie took a tommee tippee bottle last week straight away and the kit comes with the different flow teats so it will see him through to a sippy cup.

• Nursing Pillow

I never bothered with one of these with Dylan but have found it very helpful with the second baby.  It fits round my middle and I can rest Archie on there whilst I feed, meaning that my arms don't ache after a long feed with a heavy baby.  I have found it great if I need two hands to play with Dylan as I can rest Archie on the Mombo pillow and open a lid/do a puzzle/ read a book with my hands free.  The Mombo pillow has two sides, one firm for feeding and a softer one for play with a vibrate function too, so as Archie starts learning to sit, we will use it as a back support.  At the moment Dylan loves sitting in it to eat his lunch but hopefully Archie will get a go as well!

• Breastpads

Disposable or reusable, these are quite important for a breastfeeding mum, and I have gone down the reusable route this time, finding them more comfortable and much cheaper.  You need enough for everyday and everynight use for the first few months but I find that as time goes on I do need them less and less.

What are your 'must-have' buys for breastfeeding?


Disclaimer:  I  was sent some items that are featured in this post free of charge, however all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

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15 Things I Love

I love getting into a bed when the sheets have just been changed.  Especially if they are white.

I love watching Dylan dance

I love travelling on a train by myself, reading a good book, staring out the window and just being in my own company.

I love creme eggs, no matter what time of year.

I love long walks along the seafront.

I love having coca cola and cake  in our favourite cafe.

I love listening to Archie's perfect little laugh.

I love watching my babies interact with each other.

I love slippers (all year round) and have a pair in every room so I never have to search for them.

I love writing

I love making memories, and taking photographs in-case we ever forget those special little details.

I love to daydream

I love wearing Archie in a sling as I get to spend the whole day cuddling him.

I love the face Dylan pulls when you ask him to smile.

I love my slightly silly, ever so gorgeous and completely crazy family.

Linking up to the lovely Becky at the Ar Blog

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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!

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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. 

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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

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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.

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