Wednesday, 4 December 2013

The Nappy Myth

The memories of Dylan's birth are fading, and although I remember the details, it is not as clear as it once was.  I still remember this screaming, red baby being placed on my chest though, the overwhelming feelings of love and panic setting in at the same time.

I loved this tiny baby more than I had ever loved anything in my life.  I had a connection with him, a desire to protect him and a knowledge that life was just about to begin.  I also realised that I had been so wrapped up in pregnancy and birth, that I hadn't considered the fact that I would actually have a baby to look after.  I had never changed a nappy before, I wasn't entirely sure how often he would need feeding and as for fitting a little sleepsuit on this fragile little thing - well I was just clueless!

With a little help from the internet, a lot of help from my mum, and following my instinct, I think I have done ok.  I have raised a confident, healthy and happy toddler who amazes me every single day.  I am on a constant learning journey though, and everyday I discover more about children, about my child and about myself.


Along the way, I learnt about choices, and just how out of date some ideas are.  My new baby had stacks of nappies waiting for him at home. I did have the dilemma of choosing between two leading brands, but in the end I bought a few packets of each.  A couple of months down the line though, I realised there was an even bigger choice, and that nappies didn't have to be thrown away, contain chemicals or have to be bought every week.

I was at a breastfeeding support group at my local Children's Centre when I discovered that cloth nappies had come out of the dark ages.  I noticed a baby not much bigger than my own 2 month old, sporting a rather stunning blue nappy covered in stars. I had to know more and I was sold there and then.  Cloth nappies are now slimmer, easier to use, faster to dry and much more convenient than the terry nappies our parents and grandparents used.  They come in colours and patterns that  I hate to hide under clothes and they don't add thousands of tons of rubbish onto landfills every year.  They don't have to cost the earth and on that cold wet morning when you realise you are down to your last one, it isn't a frantic dash to the supermarket, but a quick wash that can be done without ever taking off your slippers.

It is amazing quite how many myths there are surrounding parenting, and how fast things move, from the best advice on baby's sleep to the technology in buggies, to the development of breast pumps.  Things changed so much even between my two boys and there are only 18 months between their births!

CanParent are looking to bust those parenting myths, provide high quality information and run classes to support parenting skills of prospective and new mothers and fathers.



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Tuesday, 3 December 2013

Mark Warner Mums

Three years ago, the bloke and I were planning an adventure, one that would take us to foreign lands, feed us the weird and wonderful and leave us with stories we would be recounting for years to come.  It turned out life had a very different adventure for us - fewer foreign lands for sure, although we may have tasted some rather odd dishes along the way (Raspberry and spinach puree anyone?).
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Sunday, 1 December 2013

Top Toddler Gifts for Christmas

With a two year old toddler in the house, we are on the look out for the perfect Christmas gifts and we have been busy testing some top toys that will be hitting wish lists this year.  I am delighted to share with you some lovely gift ideas that we have personally tested, and I would love to hear what you would add to this list? Here are our top ten . . .


Rocket Tent
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Christmas Clubcard Boosts

Christmas is an expensive time of year and I am using every trick I can find to save a few pounds.  We are making our own cards, have wrapping paper from last year's January sales and I have been keeping an eye out all year for bargains as I know how difficult December can be.  I am entering competitions left right and centre and have now discovered that I can put my Tesco points to good use with their new boost scheme.

Clubcard boost is the new exchange system and as well as all the usual tokens, you can also use your hard earned points on Christmas goodies for family and friends.  With such a great toy department, I have the boys already sorted! £5 of points gets you £10 to spend on stocking fillers, main presents and maybe the odd gift to yourself (you did earn it after all!)  Take a look here to see which departments are included and get shopping! You can print your own tokens if you wish to use them instore, so no waiting for the postie when he is already overworked, and if you are using them online then it is even easier!

Christmas wishlist
Our wishlist


The bloke often needs a bit of a helping hand at this time of year, and it is really easy to make a wishlist to give the menfolk a clue as to what you would like santa to bring (a camera tripod if anyone is reading this!) You can share it on twitter and facebook or via email so get wishing!


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Saturday, 30 November 2013

Cardboard Christmas Cutouts

December is so so close now and I can't wait to get our house looking all festive and break into the glitter.  I *may* have a festive soundtrack on as I type despite promising myself I would wait until the 1st of December.  This week, I have been doing a lovely little craft with the boys that involves a large cardboard box (and we co-incidentally got a lovely delivery in a huge box this week from My Layabout)


I opened out the box, laid the children down and (with a little help from someone to distract them) drew round them.  Their silhouette then became a festive character using some paint, some gloopy glue and some trusty tissue paper.  



A friend has made Santa and an Elf with her two boys but Dylan knew he wanted to be a snowman and Archie was the perfect shape for a gingerbread man.  Dylan loves seeing it, and the cardboard figures will be decorating our living room for the next month.


I am undecided on whether to cut out our figures, or weather to paint the background now so any ideas would be greatly appreciated.



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Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Bundle Me

With the weather dropping and the return of the eternally runny nose, my priority out and about is keeping the boys warm and we were sent a Bundle Me from JJ Cole to do just that.


This universal footmuff comes in three different colours and is perfect for babies from around 9 months until 3 years (there is a smaller version for younger babies that is great in infant car seats).  The inside is a super soft faux sheepskin and the outer is an equally soft thermaplush.  I absolutely love the feel of this footmuff and if they did one in adult sized I would be first in the queue!
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Tuesday, 26 November 2013

Festive Fashion

The boys have plenty of Christmas parties lined up over the next month so we have been searching for the perfect Party outfits for them both.

It needs to be Smart,

It needs to be comfortable,



It  must be practical, well fitting and warm.

.

It should be a little trendy,


Protective whatever the weather,


And the boys need to look great separately and together.


Most of all it should be easy to wear, and they should love it as much as I do.



We were sent a £50 voucher for F & F at Tesco and managed to get all of this, with a little spare change


Archie:
T-shirt and Dungaree set (9-12 months) - £12

Dylan:
White Thermal T-shirt (from pack of 2) (3-4 years) - £6
Checked hooded shirt (3-4 years)- £8
Jeans (3-4 years) - £9
Brown Boots (size 7) - £13



There are some wonderfully smart outfits on there, but I wanted something practical for us and I think these outfits are just the right balance of smart, comfortable and Toddler-worthy.  I managed to dress both the boys for the party season, and still have a couple of pounds change which I was really impressed with.

We have already put the clothes to the test at a birthday party last weekend and the boys looked great, had no problems getting stuck in and had lots of fun.





What do you think? 


Disclaimer:  We were sent a £50 voucher for F&F kids parywear and this post is entry into a competition to win a further voucher (us mums need partywear too don't you know!  All thoughts, photos and opinons are my own













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