A little piece of happy

01 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by in Seasonal, Well being

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Flowers in bloom

Doesn’t the sunshine just make everything better?

I found myself feeling properly relaxed for the first time in what seems like ages today. I’m pretty sure it’s mainly down to the weather and the fact I spent a couple of hours pottering in the garden. Then again, it could also be attributed to the small matter of my toddler’s mammoth two hour nap this afternoon.

The last couple of days have been productive, tinged with moments of indulgence. Mornings in the gardens, fields and woods at nursery have tired my almost-three year old out, leaving her snoring on the sofa within five minutes of arriving home.

With a bonus couple of hours that weren’t planned for, I’ve been able to clear the laundry (I’m one of those weird people that actually gets a sense of satisfaction at hanging out the washing and seeing it dry in the breeze), potter around the garden, clear some work deadlines and – yesterday – have a tiny nap. Continue reading »

Glammed up wheels

30 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by in Baby and toddler products, Play

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This time last year, my diva daughter was only just learning to walk. With hypermobile joints delaying her physical development, she had regular physiotherapy sessions to try and get her up and about. During those sessions we were encouraged to invest in a ride-on toy and, later, a balance bike (this year’s planned birthday present) as we were told these would be great activities to strengthen her overly flexible joints and hone her balancing skills.

I laughed at the physiotherapist back then, unable to dream of my non-walking toddler having the physical ability to even stand unaided, let alone scoot herself around on a Micro Scooter. But, today, I was taken right back to that room in the hospital one year ago, vividly reliving the memory of my bendy daughter trying to pull herself onto her feet like a gangly baby giraffe.

Micro Scooter Glam Continue reading »

Tips to help your child prepare for hospital

30 Tuesday Apr 2013

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Brought to you in association with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

While my daughter’s been lucky enough to avoid any major medical procedure so far, we have become closely acquainted with our local hospital, due to her ongoing hypermobile joint issues. When the appointments with the clinicians, physio and orthopeadic specialists started, my (then) almost two year old was clearly daunted by the the big and scary place. Just being there for a few hours was long enough, let alone the thought of being there overnight, in a different bed in an unfamiliar room.

As I journeyed home on the train from London on Sunday, I listened to a mum behind me discussing an upcoming hospital appointment with her daughter. They’d been into town to buy a new teddy to take with them, as the daughter was going to be having surgery and staying in for recovery time afterwards. She was about four years old and it seemed like a lovely way to help prepare the little girl for the most basic aspects of her hospital stay. Continue reading »

Unique gifts for a newborn

29 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in Baby and toddler products

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Review

Having a baby is better than Christmas, in present terms. You get showered with all sorts of new items that you never knew existed, many of which you won’t even get to take out of the wrapping. Having been the new mum with a million and one cuddly toys, there are a couple of items I look out for now when I buy a present to welcome a new baby into the world. I’ll always try to find unique gifts for a newborn, rather than something they may already have, no matter how cute it is.

Last Saturday I got to test my baby present giving skills to the maximum, as I met (and cuddled and got broody over) our lovely friends’ new baby girl. There was a moment when my two year old gave her “new baby friend” a cuddle, when I thought my heart might actually burst in two, leaving me with nothing but a mushy puddle on the floor. Luckily my heart is actually made of stone and I’ve lived to tell the tale.

So, new unique baby gifts… Continue reading »

New mum: you ARE doing it “right”

27 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by in Motherhood

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Parenting - no right wayI’ve lost count of how many pieces of advice I was given when I was pregnant. Eat this, don’t eat that, do this exercise, you shouldn’t over-exert yourself, have a birth like this, definitely don’t do labour like that… the pearls of wisdom came at a constant trickle, refusing to ebb.

And then I had my baby and that stream turned into a tidal wave.

From sleep positions to breastfeeding positions, the merits of the bottle to the best babygrows, my head was left spinning from the barrage of well-meant opinions sent my way. Whether it was an old lady in the street or the person taking my cash at the supermarket, everyone seemed to have something to offer me. It was like I was walking round with a huge placard above my head saying, “I AM A NEW MUM AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING, PLEASE HELP ME”. Continue reading »

My cure for feeling sorry for myself

25 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in Recipes, Weaning and eating

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Easy chicken noodle soupThe sun is shining, everyone’s enjoying themselves outside and I’m… ill.

I’ve been feeling sorry for myself all day today with blocked sinuses (ow) and a constantly streaming nose. Although I don’t remember my mum making me chicken noodle soup when I was poorly as a child, I do remember her making other soups. There’s nothing like the feeling of comfort from a homemade soup, even if it hasn’t been made by your mum.

Yesterday we had roast chicken with salad for tea. As I was feeling pretty rotten, I started off making a chicken soup for the following day, but ended up abandoning it in favour of my bed at 5.30pm. Continue reading »

My Perfect Girls’ Night In

25 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in pampering, Relationships

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Brought to you in association with Ladbrokes Bingo

It’s official: I am getting old. With four weddings on the cards this year and three hen dos, I have already been on rather a few nights out with the girls. And, while they were brilliant fun, they have also left me a little bit broken.

As I massage my sore feet (I’m not used to long periods in heels anymore) and mourn the loss of my stamina, I’m not surprised to see the results of a survey recently conducted by Ladbrokes Bingo, showing that 70% of women would prefer a night in with their friends to an evening out on the town. Continue reading »

Good parents throw birthday parties

22 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in Family, Motherhood, Play

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Birthday cupcakesWhen I became a mum, there was one aspect of motherhood that I was determined to succeed at: the throwing of a successful child’s birthday party. After all, good parents put on good parties, no?

It seems to me that the ability to plan and host a child’s birthday party is a staple part of being a good parent. From the carefully designed, hand-crafted invitations, right down to the unique and personalised gifts in the party bag, if you can’t do a good party you have failed at being a good parent. Continue reading »

Family holiday memories and family holiday plans

22 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in Travel

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Family holidays form some of my happiest childhood memories. With both parents working as teachers, we would often spend the entire summer away as a family. When I was little, it was my grandparents’ caravan in North Wales and then later, long summers in France camping and staying in rented cottages.

Thinking back to our summers in North Wales makes me smile, partly because of the nostalgia of it all and partly because I can picture my parents as I am now; going on the odd day trip to keep the kids happy. Even though it probably wouldn’t have been his first choice, my dad happily took us to the nearby Butlin’s where we would play for the entire day, ride rollercoasters as my mum watched and go swimming in the amazing outdoor water park. One time, we even bumped into the famous Walton sextuplets – incredibly exciting to find a gaggle of girls the same age as me to play with. Continue reading »

Products to help a busy working mum

18 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in Baby and toddler products, Motherhood, Play, Work

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There are a few products that have made my life as a busy working mum easier these past few weeks. These are new discoveries, that have either saved time, added a bit of luxury to an otherwise sparse day (my motto is “feel good, work better”) or just been handy toddler distraction techniques when I’ve needed a second to get something done.

In no particular order, they are:

Mia Tui picThis is my new Ella bag by Mia Tui. You wouldn’t know to look at it, but it’s actually a baby change bag. It has compartments for nappies, side pockets for baby wipes, an attachment to clip your keys to, pouches for bottles and a smaller handbag that slots inside, if you want to have a seperate bag for your own wallet and cards. Continue reading »