Just the Three of Us

Dylan started school in September and we have had to find our new normal.  The half days didn't help as there didn't seem to be long enough either before school or during to get up to much, so we had another couple of weeks until we could create a routine that works for us.

Archie took a while to adjust to this huge change.  His big brother has been part of his life since he was born, and as soon as Dylan started preschool, I looked after a friend's son, so he had a playmate still every day.  He is a middle child, used to constant company and he loves having someone to share his play with.  He is happy to play alone, but he wants conversation as he does it and he would always pick playing together.  

Finn is laid back, and at six months the change didn't bother him so much.  At eight months now he is starting to play, to communicate, to entertain his brother and whilst he is no substitute for an imaginative four year old, Archie loves him.  Whilst Finn is still not particularly interested in moving, he wants to be part of his brother's games and he has the biggest smiles when he thinks he is being included.  He chats in his own language and Archie interprets him in some rather strange ways, but they are happy this way.

Our new routine is set between the hours of nine and three fifteen.  We have to make sure we are back at the schoolgates on time for their all important reunion.  It has been amazing watching the bond between my youngest two develop.  The big two are so close they are the best of friends and I want Archie to continue to have a friend.  Finn has a lot to learn but they are finding ways of playing together and poor Finn is always getting cuddled (unfortunately Archie has a tendency to cuddle with his arms around his neck).

I grew up with a brother and sister close in age and my memories are of the games we played.  I remember the arguments too of course - they are inevitable when any three people spend that much time together but mainly I remember how we played.  Obstacle courses in the gardens that we set up together and raced around competing.  Upturned tables that we hopped between as rabbits with hutches under chairs.  The playing pretend with schools and shops that I see my own children doing when they pack their Trunki and go on 'holiday' to their bedroom.  I still have a close relationship with my brother and sister and I hope that my boys carry on being friends as well as siblings.

Archie and Finn have two years to get used to each other, we have two years of our new routine, of it being the three of us every day.  I hope that they get closer as they spend more time just the three of us and as Finn gets more mobile and able.  I know crawling will change everything all over again, but once they are both walking and running, I imagine there will be no stopping them together.

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The Doona - Where we have used it

I was so excited when our Doona arrived just before the birth of Finn and I had no idea how much we would use it.  As a pair of non-drivers it wouldn't be part of our school run or nipping out at the petrol station which I know others find it useful for, but it has been brilliant all the same.

I wasn't expecting to have a poorly baby and after bringing Archie home less than four hours after giving birth I knew the Doona would be coming with us to the hospital.  I wasn't letting anyone else carry my baby out and those car seats are hard to carry even with an 8 pound baby in - especially one you have only just delivered!  The Doona would have given me the opportunity to still be the one carrying him, but without the stress on my body of actually carrying.

As it happened, Finn was 3 weeks old before we could bring him home and our stay in SCBU was mostly in isolation.  As he started doing better I was told that I could take him out in the private garden behind the ward for short periods, so long as I had a pushchair for him as he couldn't be carried out.  My room wasn't big of course and storing a pram would have taken up all the free space, but the Doona slotted perfectly under the table and gave me the freedom to enjoy some fresh air with him in the afternoons.

Taking Finn home from hospital certainly wasn't the end of our time there and we had three other stays before he hit six months as well as too many appointments to count.  Often I would get a lift into the hospital and find my own way home and I knew that taking the Doona meant I could jump in a taxi or use the bus.  I never had to wait in the rain either, as if the two pushchair spaces were full I could fold the Doona and have it on the seat next to me - something I appreciated a lot after a long day on the ward and rubbish weather outside.

The Doona was never going to be our main pushchair as babies shouldn't be in the car seat position for too long, but once Dylan started school and I started having more days out with friends, the Doona was perfect for going in their cars.  Their own buggies in the boot, I didn't need to take up any extra space and I had a pushchair ready to go as soon as we arrived.  I made sure I always took a sling to wear whilst we were out, but when I needed to put Finn down (or when I needed somewhere to store bits), I had the Doona with me.

Now that Finn is a little older and the bloke has a car, we are finding the Doona still makes life so much easier.  Meals out where he has fallen asleep on the way there mean he can finish his snooze whilst we start eating.  At 8 months he still has plenty of growing space and seems very comfy in there too.  We can fit it in the back seat of our Ford Mondeo alongside two other car seats and don't find the Doona takes up any more space than another infant car seat.

 Disclaimer : The Doona was sent to us for the purpose of a review.  Please be aware that whilst the straps may not look safe in all these pictures, they were always tightened, straightened and checked for safety before driving.

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Beaches - Ocho Rios

If you follow me on social media then you may have noticed last week my pictures were dominated by blue skies, golden sands and a rather chilled out looking small person.  Finn and I were whisked off to Jamaica to see first hand how stunning the Beaches resorts are.  Our first stop was Beaches Ocho Rios and after a ten hour flight with the most calm and smiley baby I was excited to settle in.

Montego Bay is the closest airport and our flight with Virgin Atlantic was smooth.  I do think that 8 months is a really easy age to fly with, especially if they can't move yet.  Finn sat and smiled at everyone, playing quietly with his toys and the only noise anyone heard from him was laughter.  Beaches describe themselves as being luxury included and this all begins when you arrive at the airport.  Our luggage was taken to be packed in the car and we had comfort and cold drinks whilst we prepared for our transfer.  Arriving at the hotel is like being greeted by old friends and every single member of staff from that first impression onwards went out of their way to make our stay special.  

Beaches Ocho Rios is set around a private bay meaning finding your way around is quite easy.  There are seven restaurants and three pools alongside the private beach that offers watersports (included of course).  There is an onsite water park with slides for big kids and little ones and a kids club that is open from 9am to 9pm

One of the first things to tick off my bucket list was a swim up bar.  Despite having travelled reasonably well, I had never sat in the water with the sun on my back as I drank a Pina Colada and that was soon rectified.  Serving a huge variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails alongisde any other drink you could possibly want, the swim up bar was a great way to stay hydrated in the sun.  Travelling in October during the 'rainy season', I wasn't expecting the skies to be so blue but the only rain we had all week was for about half an hour when we transferred between resorts.

As well as sampling the full range of drinks available, we managed to eat at most of the restaurants and I was really impressed at the speed of service.  There was never a queue, always plenty of space and fantastic views.  The main restaurant had a buffet for each meal which was both a good thing and a bad.  Eating four plates of breakfast because you can't quite decide whether you want the fresh smoked salmon, a proper fry up, delicious pastries or an omelette cooked in front of your eyes isn't the best start when you are likely to spend the rest of the day in a bikini!  The Bayside restaurant was perfectly designed for young families like mine with plenty of high chairs available and a section for young children where they can sit on their own tables.  There is a kids buffet where they can serve themselves and I know the independence would be something my elder two would really enjoy.

Neptunes had the best view and they served Mediterranean food from an a la carte menu.  My favourite place to stop of an afternoon had to be Josephine's creperie where you could have a fresh savoury or sweet crepe made up for you.  Located around a smaller pool with fantastic sea views and open until 10:30pm I know this would be a place that my big two littlies would love as well.

Neptunes as the sun rises

Seating around the pool outside the Creperie

Finn spent most of the week with me, and he absolutely loved being in the water.  He kicked his legs around the pools and in the sea with the biggest smile on his face and tried desperately to get sand in his mouth.  When I wanted to try out a watersport or the heat got too much for him, he went to have a play in the kids' camp.  Children from 0 - 17 are accommodated in a series of different rooms and the baby room had plenty of toys suitable for his age, a ball pit and a quiet room with cots for those all important naps.  He went happily in and I could pop in and out whenever I pleased.  There were no set sessions and all the staff are accredited by the American Nanny Association.  There were some great activities laid on for the slightly older kids and I know Dylan would have enjoyed cooking with cookie monster and science experiments with Grover!

Older children can enjoy the dedicated X-box room as well as exclusive access to the Liquid night club on site during their tweens and teens evenings. 

Everything about the kids club is bright, including the entrance

Whilst Finn was being looked after in the kids' club, I made sure I made the most of my time and had a go at paddle boarding, kayaking and on the banana boat.  I was really impressed that everything was part of the package and there was plenty of equipment.  Luxury included for Beaches means added inclusions rather than added charges and children can enjoy tennis or golf coaching as well as sailing lessons and other great activities for no additional cost.  

Our room was comfortable and spacious, relying on the natural light that poured through the french doors that led onto our private balcony,  My bed was huge and always sporting a wonderful towel animal and Finn had a proper wooden cot with a mattress - miles better than the plastic travel cots we are used to on holiday.  Every room comes with a mini fridge stocked with fizzy drinks, juice, bottled water and Red Stripe and there is wine and champagne next to the microwave and kettle.  Everything gets restocked daily.  Taking a bottle fed baby on holiday was much easier with a kettle, fridge and mircrowave in our room and if we came back with the big boys then the sofa you see in the right hand side of this picture pulls out to make two single beds.  There were many rooms that could accomodate 5 people as well as adjoining rooms for when the children are a bit bigger.  Travelling as a larger than average family isn't always easy, but Beaches had plenty of rooms designed for families like ours and bigger.

Travelling to Jamaica is a much bigger commitment than staying within Europe.  The flight is long haul and the prices reflect this but it is definitely somewhere I would love to go back to with all three of my children.  The five hour time difference meant we were awake to see every sunrise, but when you realise you can throw on a bikini, grab a bottle and watch it with your feet in the sea it doesn't seem quite as bad.  In fact once I realised that we could have a swim in the sea every morning before breakfast, I started looking forward to our early starts - not something you will ever find me saying at home!

Beaches  work closely with Sesame Street meaning you don't have to walk far before you see one of the characters from your childhood strutting towards you (and yes Jamaican characters definitely strut).  As well as designated activities, parades, shows and sessions, the characters walked around the resort.  We went along to a Sesame Street breakfast (extra cost) and had a chance to take our photos will all the characters as well as taking away a party bag with a cup and toy in.  Finn watched in awe as they came over and stroked their furry hands against his little face and both children and adults enjoyed the party.  As the characters danced around the room, Ernie doing a head wobble and Elmo showing off some real moves, you see a very different side of them to the show I remember.

Beaches Ocho Rios was an amazing resort with so much for families like mine.  Everything was easily accessible with a buggy, suitable for even the youngest of guests and nothing was too much for the staff.  I travelled with an eight month old and still felt like I had had a real holiday - not something I usually say when I go away with the children. 

If you want to see Beaches from a different perspective then check out the other bloggers on this trip, Sally and Trish

We were guests of Beaches for the purpose of this review.

Seven nights staying at Beaches Ocho Rios – A Spa, Golf & Waterpark Resort costs from £1,775 per adult and £899 per child. Price includes Luxury Included® (all-inclusive) accommodation in a Caribbean Deluxe Family Sized Room, return economy flights from London and resort transfers. Valid for travel dates 2^nd May – 24^th June 2016.

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What the Boys Wore - Growing Needs (Giveaway)

One of the best things about winter approaching is the clothes.  Finn's wardrobe is pretty comfy looking as it is, but when you add in some snuggly all in ones then I get pretty jealous!

This Frugi hooded snuggle suit came from Growing Needs and it is perfect for babywearing.  The same material and thickness of a hoodie but with the added benefit of legs too!  Frugi are a company I have bought since Dylan was born as their clothes are designed in Cornwall and cut for cloth nappies.  Growing Needs is an independent retailer run by the lovely Rebecca stocking ethical fashion and eco/organic baby products and toys.

Buying Ethical has become more and more important for me since having children, as has supporting small businesses and work at home mums.  As a work at home mum myself, I know how valuable it is being able to work around children, how hard we work to support our families and that buying from a small business means paying for a child's swimming lessons and school trips.

This giraffe suit is such great quality and perfect for this in between weather.  Over the winter we will layer up more, but as babies don't need as many layers in a sling, I know we will get so much use from this.  This is size 6-12 months on my 8 month old and it has got plenty of growing space, even with a full outfit underneath.

I have a fantastic giveaway today to win a £20 voucher for Growing Needs to spend on anything you like.  From beautiful dungarees to wooden toys and fluffy cloth nappies, it isn't easy to choose, but head over to Growing Needs and pick your favourite thing to enter the giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends on Sunday 15th November 2015 at 11:59pm.  UK entrants only, no bulk or third party entries. This giveaway is not endorsed by facebook.  Prize provided by Growing Needs.

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Little Bird SS16

Today I have visited the Mothercare Spring/Summer 16 press day and I loved checking out the new Little Bird range to hit the shops next February - April.  Think sailing boats, kites, turtles, fish and farms alongside their signature rainbows.  The colours are as vibrant as ever and there are some beautiful pieces in both the baby and child collection.  

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Just the Two of us

Every now and again an email lands in my inbox that I just can't say no to, and when I got offered a place on a blogger trip with Beaches to see their two Jamaican resorts, you can guess my answer.  The catch was that I could only take one child with me - something that isn't easy when you have three under fives.  After much thought and discussion, we decided that Finn and I should go - after a tough year together I was looking forward to spending some special time with him.

This is how I found myself doing a ten hour long haul flight alone with an eight month old - an experience not nearly as terrifying as I had imagined thank goodness, and made easier by the fact Finn has not mastered the art of crawling just yet.  

On a bright Sunday morning Finn and I boarded a Virgin Atlantic plane at Gatwick airport heading to Montego Bay.  He was an absolute angel all the way there and as we disembarked I had plenty of lovely comments from fellow passengers about how quiet and smiley my little buddy had been.

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Me and Mine October

This month I left the photo until the last minute, before realising that we would spend the end of the month apart and have no chance to get a photo. Luckily I had this one that my sister took of us earlier in the month in my parent's garden.  The bloke seems to be missing the top of his head, but this is us.

I think Dylan was holding on to my hand and jumping, Finn was busy eating his fingers and Archie has obviously seen something worth pointing at!  I am rocking a rather fetching pair of slippers that I keep at my parent's house.

October has seen Dylan start full time school and the little two and I have found a new routine.  The weather has become well and truly autumnal and the dinky one and I have escaped for some sun in the middle of it all.

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