You’re pregnant?! Did you know / don’t buy this / have that / remember to….
February 26, 2010 at 10:25 pm | Posted in Daily Life, General Advice, New Born, Pregnancy | 8 CommentsTags: Newborn, parenting help, Pregnancy, pregnany advice
We had a fantastic dinner with some close and recently friends who we haven’t seen for absolutely ages this week. Husband even went as far as finding a Jamie Oliver recipe and did all the prep for what turned out to be a gorgeous beef and ale pie.
I knew before our guests arrived that the conversation would revolve around pregnancy, childbirth and raising a small and demanding baby, but what of it? It was to be expected really, and there is nothing wrong with being a baby bore.
Me 7 1/2 months pregnant at our wedding anniversary BBQ
But what is it about having children that gives us that burning desire to impart little nuggets of wisdom on our soon to be new parents? We act like we’re the only person on the planet that they know who has ever had a baby. And we act like without our expert advice, they might quite possibly fail completely at being responsible parents.
During the course of the evening I animatedly:
- Approved their choice of buggy
- Instructed them to have the baby in the hospital – not at home with any new fangled water birth ideas, or at a cottage hospital with gas and air as the only pain relief options.
- Explained the importance of a good bedtime routine…I think I repeated myself about 18 times in reiterating that we put the bear down in his moses basket with Classic fm from the age of three weeks.
- Detailed the best ways of getting a baby used to sleeping away from home and possibly wrote down the make and model of our travel cot.
- Described the pros and cons of NCT classes, and warned against attending whilst emotionally unstable with pregnancy hormones having just pranged the new £17,000 car.
- Debated the healthy amount of television for a child to watch and the effects on their speech and development, condoning Waybaloo and In the Night Garden as thoroughly therapeutic (for mum).
I think I thought I was Mary Poppins or something. But it happens every time I encounter someone pregnant with their first child. They must see me coming and try to hide. If I saw myself on video I would hope to hell that the ground swallowed me up and saved me from myself.
Is this normal behaviour or have I become baby mad?! For these are not the rules, just my personal experiences. I don’t for a second think I’m an amazing mum, there’s just something about having been through something this life changing, that a friend is yet to experience that makes you want to share it all.
Please tell me this has happened to you….right?!
Its a wrap
February 21, 2010 at 2:55 pm | Posted in General Advice, New Born | 1 CommentTags: baby carrier;, Baby Sling, Baby Soleil, Moby Wrap
A review from guest blogger Lisa…
I got my Moby Wrap whilst I was still pregnant with lil’ Romeo and I finally get to use it!
Baby is just 6 weeks old and someone had given me a baby bjorn for my baby shower so I was spoilt for choice. The last thing on your mind after giving birth and after those sleepless nights (ouch) is trying to work out how to wrap a 10 foot piece of cloth around you and make sure that your tiny bundle doesnt slip from beneath you.
Needless to say the first thing I reached for was the bjorn which anyone can easily figure out with a few clicks and straps. The moby is not for the faint hearted of sling lovers. Even armed with the instructions I still needed a video demo online to guide me through how to tie it up. Once on properly the Moby felt much more comfortable than the bjorn. My only concern was that Romeo’s feet were inside it properly but with a little readjusting I soon got the hang of it. The first time I tried the wrap I was at home and Romeo fell asleep straight away so I kept it on and did a few light house chores and made myself some lunch!
The best thing about the Moby Wrap is that it allows you to hold and carry your baby closer to your body which works wonders for breastfeeding mums like me. My only concern was mastering it and getting the baby in the correct position but once you have sussed it out its a wrap!
Lisa
p.s We did just notice that there is a video you can download to show you how to use the Moby Wrap!!
The Moby Wrap was kindly given to us to review by Baby Soleil. We stick to the bloggers with integrity code to only promote products that we truly, truly love.
Have you got a smelly washing machine?!
February 6, 2010 at 11:16 am | Posted in Daily Life, General Advice | 1 CommentTags: espares, espares tutorial videos, fix domestic appliances, smelly washing machine, washing machine repair
Somehow espares found out about my slightly OCD tendencies towards cleaning…how did I not know about this website before?!
Any-hoooo, I just spent the last 36 minutes cleaning my washing machine. Yes it’s Saturday, yes the bear is asleep – I could be watching trash or clothes shopping on line. But no. I choose to clean the washing machine, I’m happy with my decision.
I followed the espares video tutorial and am now feeling super smug about my cleansed washing machine.
Although I failed to find the filter – bet mine doesn’t even have one or something, and Google drew a blank. Even unscrewed the back to find it. No luck.
So the floor is very slightly soggy, and I really should have changed into a slightly less mummy off to lunch and more cinders type outfit, but I am feeling super pleased with myself, and wondering what else I can restore to it’s former self.
Espares has spare parts for domestic appliances and lots of help and advice. So rather than spending £60 on a call out fee next time something breaks down (usually washing machine day before holiday or lawn mower on first first sunny day of the year), then espares is a pretty good shout if you fancy being a bit handy.
My first meme – the life plan
January 20, 2010 at 9:55 pm | Posted in Daily Life, General Advice, Mummy Bloggers | 8 CommentsTags: Baby Baby, blue peter, Mellow Mummy, Mummy Bloggers, New Mummy, the life plan
So, I want to have a go at a meme. I hadn’t considered it until recently and I saw a couple and thought it tied in nicely to a post I’ve been meaning to write for ages (since a thought provoking episode of Hollyoaks since you ask…if there is such a thing).
I would describe a meme as a story, view, list or concept that you can share, and then pass on to others to write their version.
The life plan
The theme of my meme is the life plan and I’ve chosen to tag brilliant mummy bloggers Sandy Calico of Baby Baby, Emma of Mellow Mummy and Caroljs of New Mummy. So, you’re it I guess! Anyone else who wants to join in please do, I’d love it if you did, the more the merrier!
Here’s the theme….
When I was five the life plan was to be a journalist. I spent Saturday and Sunday mornings lying on my parents bedroom floor while they read the papers, copying the articles out of the supplements, word for word.
When I was nine the plan was to be the popular girl…or at least be the best friend of the popular girl…or just be in the cool gang. Oh, and to copy articles from the supplements using my typewriter, rather than by hand…and join the Blue Peter press pack club.
When I was 12 the plan was to get taller, much taller, get straight teeth and get a boyfriend.
According to a little book called ‘most invaluable things in the world’ which I wrote in on leaving school at 16, I listed friends, family and fun to be most important to me, with a later addition made for drinking, parties, boys, kissing, life and love (I think I was out-cooled and had to keep up with those who wrote sex and pot were considered most important).
When I was 18 my life plan was to get a real job, get married and have children, all as quickly as possible.
When I was 21 my life plan was to get a better job, get married and have children, but not with my current partner.
When I was 24 my plan was to use my experience to date to finally get a job in PR, marry and have children with the Mr Right I had finally met.
When I was 25 my life plan was to run my own business and live happily ever after with my family (I am sucker for the fairy tale ending).
When I was 26, 27 and 28 my life plan was to have children.
I met with someone recently who I consider a mentor when it comes to my job and he said you can’t just do a three or five year business plan when you have a family, you have to have a life plan. Business goals and targets that take family, new arrivals, holidays and tummy bugs into consideration. I’d never realised before how closely work and life overlap. And that it’s ok when they do.
So, age 30 I am married to the man I met and decided was Mr Right. We have a beautiful son and I run my own (small) PR company. My work life balance is crap but I know it is and I try every day to do something about it.
Looking back I have fond and not so fond memories of how I got here. I kissed a few (strange) frogs, made a few bad decisions (dropping out of university), lost a few and made a few friends.
What I’ve come to realise from doing this is that I knew what I wanted out of life when I was five years old. So how it took 25 years to get here is beyond me!
The best bit out of those 30 years – the man I married. It took until I met him age 24 to really find myself. Curb my temper, let go of not so nice friends, feel happy in my own skin, and get on with enjoying life, believe I could be the boss, and know I could have children.
So over to you, my tagged blogger friends – what was your life plan over the years, and how does life now compare?
x
p.s. My top teeth are straight, my bottom ones are still wonky – I guess that’s a little bit like life, some bits look nice and neat while others are a bit of a mess…
29 things to do before you have a baby – how many can you tick?
January 10, 2010 at 9:04 pm | Posted in General Advice | Leave a commentTags: Having a baby, Levonelle One Step, things to do before you have a baby, travelling the world
Levonelle® One Step the emergency contraceptive pill has published a definitive list of things to do before you have a baby. Why 29? Apparently that’s the average age for a woman in the UK to have a baby. Apparently that makes me average then.
Top of the list is travelling the world, which beat buying a house or getting a career off the ground. I am average yet again.
Here’s the full run down.
| 1 | Travel the world | 16 | Achieve goal weight |
| 2 | Buy a house | 17 | Live or work abroad |
| 3 | Get married | 18 | Learn to play an instrument |
| 4 | Establish a good career | 19 | Get fit |
| 5 | Pay off their debts | 20 | Learn to swim |
| 6 | Become fully qualified in a profession | 21 | Run a marathon |
| 7 | Pass their driving test | 22 | Set up or run their own business |
| 8 | Establish financial security | 23 | Move to a new location |
| 9 | Save money | 24 | Teach at home or abroad |
| 10 | Take part in an extreme sport | 25 | Learn to horse ride |
| 11 | Own a car | 26 | Learn to ride a motorbike |
| 12 | Renovate a house | 27 | Publish a book |
| 13 | Fall in love | 28 | Learn to deep-sea dive |
| 14 | Learn another language | 29 | Climb a mountain |
| 15 | Establish a good social life |
I’ve had a quick add up and can tick 15 of the 29 off the list. Although, again I am average because travelling the world was the main one we made a decision to do before starting a family – I ended up coming home up the duff – believe me Thai cuisine – not great at 8 weeks pregnant. Nor was the 13 hour flight home from Bangkok.
So, not sure what to put on my list next. Not keen on extreme sports. Husband forced me to join in and play volley ball in Fiji. I hate team sports. The ball hit me in the back of the head so I walked off sulking and went beach combing, alone, instead.
I have absolutely no natural rhythm, and whilst I love music, learning to play an instrument just isn’t me.
I think I’ll try my hand at saving money (must not shop, must not shop), and maybe have a second stab at establishing financial security….I’ll sleep on it.
Girl Power! I can do snow, so far anyway!
January 7, 2010 at 11:24 pm | Posted in General Advice | 2 CommentsTags: Oxford snow stories, Snow stories, Ugg boots
I love the snow! To be fair I love anything out of the ordinary, anything not planned for. If there’s a possibility of a crisis, I feel like I could be the one to save the day (is that normal?!!).
Anyway, it’s snowed hasn’t it.
Snow is far better than any other freak weather condition. Especially rain, as our estate has a tendancy to flood. I feel it’s far safer to be snowed in that flooded. My heart absolutely goes out to those who have ever been flooded – or have been stuck in cars/airports/shopping centres during the snow. However, as a Southern softie, I am quietly impressed with my snow mole efforts so far.
This morning I awoke slightly disappointed that it hadn’t snowed more overnight, but also quite pleased that husband had made it to work and that me and the bear had to fend for ourselves. I was ready to prove something!
Step one, breakfast, dressed and ready for the day. I contemplated going out to assess the snowy scene in my new heated hair rollers but decided I need to wait another 20-25 years before this is acceptable. I did however compile torch, blanket and flask – just in case.
Hmmm, am aware of the length of this post already and haven’t even come on to my triumphs, so I’ll cut to the chase.
The bear and I got togged up – no ear muffs for me today, can’t squash the Cheryl Cole curls. No gloves for the bear – he has a hatred going on for gloves.
We ventured to the car on the drive way and I wedged the little man into some fresh deep snow while I tried to get into the car. Slight issue in that I couldn’t even open the car doors. I must add at this point the reason for the car situation. I had two meetings today and being self employed I was absolutely determined to prove myself as a confident capable woman, able to conduct business come hell or high water (or high snow).
So, the door thing was a bit of a sticking point. I also wanted to get the shovel from the garage to clear the snow. Garage padlock frozen well and truly shut.
Back inside for cup of tea and re-think. Back to car and sheer force opens the door. The bear planted in passenger seat with kitchen brochures from door pocket. I am now making progress and the remainder of my day consisted of….
- Husband has taken scraper in his car. Clear snow from car with tea tray.
- Remember something about not going in first gear so settle on second and make it out of our ice rink of an estate, trying not to be distracted and take photos of tallest snowman you’ve ever seen.
- Made it to parents 8 miles away remembering not to brake hard and slowing uber carefully for junctions.
- Travel in tracksuit and Uggs, taking suit trousers and heels to slip into at the absolute last moment.
- Make it to both meetings, albeit the first one 30 minutes late and the second an hour late, but still.
So I feel I have made a mini achievement today. I can do snow….so far anyway, I here there is a lot more to come? I have milk and bread, I am ready! And wine, of course.
Share your lady snow stories, have you dug out your car? Taken groceries to a pensioner? Do you know if tomorrow is the same I would really like a sledge.
I want it all
January 3, 2010 at 8:13 pm | Posted in General Advice | 1 CommentTags: baby clothes, baby gadgets, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, spoilt children, Veruca Salt
There’s something a little worrying about one trait I seem to have developed since having children – the urgent, sweat inducing, must have ‘stuff’ syndrome. And it’s become worse over Christmas.
I’ll start at the beginning.
In the age of online shopping, when the bear arrived, it was soon winter, short, cold days which limited trips out and about. So what do you do – explore the bright and enticing world of shopping for baby stuff on the world wide web.
Because we didn’t know if we were having a pink or blue baby, we didn’t buy anything except the essentials before the stork made its delivery.
Ever since he arrived nearly 18 months ago I’ve tripped happily from one online baby boutique to another – clothes (shoes and hats in particular), toys, games, books, gadgets, recipe books, crockery sets, bath time goodies..you name it, I need it.
It’s different to the ‘I NEED that pair of Jimmy Choo shoes’ feeling. It’s deeper. Can retail therapy be deeper you ask? Yes, I think it can,
The fact is, when it comes to your children, you want the best for them. Of course health, family life, education and so on are the most important ‘bests’, but I think parents see this extending to material things also.
Veruca Salt’s father was a silly man but ultimately he wanted the absolute best for his daughter. Granted, he stuffed it up royally and bred a spoilt little brat, which none of us want – but we do want to create a truly magical childhood for our offspring.
Now, we had a lovely village upbringing where we could run off and play all day – safely (those were the days). We built igloos and go karts, we invented games like tied to the tree, and risked our lives on pulley slides lurching from the tallest trees. None of these special memories cost huge amounts of money, just the love and time of our parents.
So what is it that makes us feel like we have to buy so much stuff for our children? I guess it’s a fear to overcome – a fear that if our children aren’t the best dressed, don’t have the coolest toys or enjoy the nicest foods, then they won’t grow up to be happy, healthy, popular, rounded, successful people.
It’s odd. And like I said, it’s become worse over Christmas. On viewing each present the bear opened, it sparked thoughts of other things he would really love, enjoy, treasure, eventually wreck – but have great fun with.
I am at the moment resisting buying a pair of very funky silver high top trainers for the bear. He’ll grow out of them in 8 weeks, and really Clarks are better for developing feet….but they are so cute…and my mummy friends will think they’re awesome….
So is it about our self image? What our friends think? Rather than making our children happy?
If I’m really honest, my main aim is for my children to be happy and healthy…but it’s more fun if you look cute while you’re doing it. Right?! Or wrong?
The (not so) big Mummy Blogger Survey results!
January 1, 2010 at 5:44 pm | Posted in General Advice | 2 CommentsTags: about mummy bloggers, British Mummy Bloggers, mummy blogger poll, Mummy blogger survey, mums who blog, parent bloggers
Hi All
So, a few weeks ago I posted a quick survey to give us mummy bloggers an insight into what we’re all about. And here are the eagerly awaited results.
There have only been about 50 replies so far, and knowing from the BMB website that we are now in our hundreds, please tweet and re-tweet this link to get as many people as poss to complete the survey to give us the big picture on mummy bloggers.
Without further a do..
How long?
The majority of mummy bloggers have been at it for 3 months – 1 year.
Why?
60% of you blog because you simply love to write. 30% do it to keep a record of family life and 30% because they feel lonely or isolated.
Age?
The age split was pretty even across a range from 21 to 45.
How many children?
The majority of mummy bloggers have one or two children.
Children’s ages
The majority of children are over 1, up to the age of 3. 12% have teenagers.
Lots of us blog about funny stories
What do you blog about?
Over half of us blog about day to day life and whatever comes to mind. A third blog about funny stories and milestones/development.
Hobby or job?
Over half of those surveyed see blogging as a nice hobby. 20% see it as a hobby with perks such as free products, 15% as a job and 9% as a hobby that could become a job.
Most popular
Top three most popular blogs to come in final survey results…
What would you change?
When asked what you would change about blogging, 56% said they would like more readers, and 53% would like to be able to write more often. 34% would like more comments, and 25% would like to be funnier.
Home life
1/4 of us work part time employed, and 1/4 part time self employed. 22% are full time mummies, 9% work full time, 6% work full time running their own businesses, and 6% study full time / 6% study part time.
I think the results are really interesting – it would be great to get a bigger sample size so do share the link!!
Full results when we have at least 100 replies!
Hooked on My Buggy Buddy
December 30, 2009 at 10:42 pm | Posted in General Advice | Leave a commentTags: bag hook, buggy hook, My buggy buddy, pram hook
Hi all, and Happy New Year! My resolution for 2010; to try and blog more regularly! Not easy, but there must be a way, tips welcome!
Just a quick one, you know I love a new gadget! A few months ago I came across (and was lucky to be given!) one of the new buggy buddy locking hooks.
A simple concept; a d hook with a combination lock. It acts as a strong hook to hang your shopping from your buggy, and locks as well, meaning you can be sure that no one will pinch your bag while you’re dashing after an escaped toddler in Mothercare who is emptying the bargain bucket of left of Christmas bibs….
I’ve been meaning to write a quick post about this for ages, as it’s fab. I used to have some plastic hooks but one snapped and I left the other on the trolley at Ikea. I’m a little more precious about this new one as it’s indestructible, holds handbag and several large (think the biggest Primark variety) shopping bags.
You can also use the hook to lock your buggy up to something…clever!
Note to self – buggy will tip up when overloaded with many sales purchases when removing baby from buggy. Second note to self – it is very hard to get buggy back up to standing position with baby under one arm to avoid another escape mission across busy carpark.
Available from http://www.mybuggybuddy.co.uk
The Buggy Buddy clip was kindly given to us by My Buggy Buddy. We stick to the bloggers with integrity code to only promote products that we truly, truly love.
A Christmas Centipede?!
December 24, 2009 at 4:23 pm | Posted in Family Holidays, General Advice | Leave a commentTags: buffet trolley, Christmas, Christmas centrepiece, Christmas dinner, Christmas traditions, family traditions, sprout ball
Well it’s Christmas Eve already and the chaos is about to start. I’m really excited because we’re hosting this year for the first time; we’ve never had the space before, but having moved in the summer, everyone is coming to us for Christmas and Boxing Day.
We’ve had a really lovely week lead up to Christmas. Making cards and decorations at Baby Cafe, seeing all of the bear’s Christmas paintings that he did at nursery when he brought them home yesterday, and a trip to see Santa today – although only just; apparently Santa is only allowed to work until 1pm on Christmas Eve – trading laws!! Being there at five past the hour meant a slightly less formal chat and photo outside the grotto.
I’ve just about crossed everything off my to do list, hence having a few minutes spare to write this. On looking down my list I realised how much of the preparation is based around long standing family Christmas traditions.
I thought I’d share a few….writing them down, they’re pretty funny. Have a brilliant Christmas everyone.
Sprout Ball
We don’t buy sprouts in our family as a vegetable that accompanies the turkey dinner. We buy them for the Christmas day team event of sprout ball.
When played at my parents house this takes place in the kitchen, and crockery takes its chances. Our kitchen isn’t quite as big so unfortunately we may have to wrap up warm and take to the streets.
Sprout ball is a rounders like affair and uses an empty Coke bottle (decorated with tinsel) as a bat. You require a batter, bowler, fielders – and then the game begins.
A trophy is awarded for the team with the most runs.
The buffet trolley
I don’t remember when this began, however it has always been my responsibility to stock and manage the buffet trolley. I’ve just finished getting out all of the snacks – crisps, dips, nuts, satsumas, biscuits and so on, and checking I have enough bowls. Everything is loaded onto the wooden hostess trolley and wheeled around the house for people to enjoy a nibble or two during present opening in the morning. Champagne accompanies this little feast.
Christmas Centipede
Stemming from confusion as to why I wanted to create a 100 legged decoration for the dinner table, I also have a role to play in the Christmas centrepiece. An extravagant affair, this year I picked out some bright and exotic flowers from Wyevale which we were there to see Santa. I also have some spangly silver robins and a glittery reindeer to add to the display. Must make sure there’s room for the turkey on the table…and remember to get it in the oven in amongst the flower arranging.
Leave a comment if you have any quirky family traditions….have fun.
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