Santall photography were at Lydia's birthday!

As you all know my lovely Lydia has just turned one! We had a little 'pub lunch' party for her at The park view pub, by Preston park.

Amongst our friends were Ian, Jiab & Jasmine. The family behind Santall photography.

Ian very kindly offered to take a few photo's of the birthday girl and her friends. We were very grateful and got on with the posing for the camera! The kids loved it, as you can see....

 Above - birthday girl with Justin (daddy and his mum).

Right - Me, Justin & birthday girl.

Left - Me and my youngest niece Inara.

Right - Lydia's friend  George.

Below - My niece Inara.

Above - Sammy posing and then getting into party mode!

                                             

Below - Birthday girl :)

 

I found the whole experience was good fun, friendly and yet professional. If your in need of a photographer for a special event, then go and have a look on their website. They have lots more beautiful pictures on there. And various packages to suit weddings, birthdays, pregnancy's etc.....

My favorite picture of my little family! :)

We have been given a CD with all the pictures on, making it easy to share them and look at them in full size on the TV or PS3. Its so lovely that we can cherish these photos forever, this has to be one of the best gifts! Thankyou :)

Now you're 1, and other kinds of fun!

Sorry its been a-while since i last did a personal blog post. I've been rather manic and stressed out what with your birthday and all!

I can't believe its been 1 year and 1 week since i became a Mumma!

We had a little party for you and your friends. Pub lunch! (yes,it was for me really! hehe)

Thankyou to all who joined us, and we missed those who couldn't make it.

Your birthday cake, i made it all by myself :)

The time has just rushed by in the blink of an eye. I look back at photo's and it makes me sad to see how big and independent you've become, but happy that I've made you into a fit/happy and healthy boddler! (not a baby, but not quite yet a toddler!)

Being cheeky & posing for the camera

Your taking up to 8-10steps in a row now, trying to talk properly with the odd clear word coming out. You're very cheeky,independent and nosey. Off in your own little world like i was as a child :)

<--- Your first shoes 

 Off for a walk! --->

Today is the 6yr anniversary of me & daddy (Justin).

                                     I was (un-knowingly after 9mths of ttc) 4wks pregnant here :)

Jac-Jac & Grandad (mum&dad) are going to look after you tonight so me & daddy can go out for a nice romantic meal :) Our first proper 'date-night' in well over 2yrs!!!

I am really excited about it :) Hopefully we can have a nice stroll around the pavilion gardens, where we first kissed :) But its SUPER freezing out there tonight, lots of hugs and kisses on order me thinks!
Give you your last milk of the day then i can drink some pink cava to celebrate!

Now your growing up i am getting rather broody! Seeing teeny baby's in coffee shops and hearing tiny crys...I feel you need a brother or sister, a 2yr age gap would be nice :) Not to close but not to far apart either, and NO i am NOT pregnant at the moment!

We are still going strong with breastfeeding, a few weeks back i thought i may have to give-in...but we battled through the pains and we are back on track. Your teething got in the way, i had/have very sore painful and cracked nipples, and you were biting! You cut your first top four teeth all within 2days of each other!!! I had/have a cut that was bleeding, and my eczema was flaring up like crazy!?!

Since using some homeopathic remedies it has eased both of our pains and feelings of anxiety. I hope to continue our breastfeeding journey with less discomfort from now onwards :)

Anyways, i must go and make myself gorgeous to go out....erm....how do i do that again????

Review; Organix Goodies toddler snacks 12mths+

The lovely Sarah over at Organix sent us a box of goodies to review. The box contained lots of yummy 12mths+ snacks for my daughters 1st birthday party. There were between 10-15 children aged between 3mths-3yrs. But don't worry, only the 11mths+ children were eating the food :)
The items were from their Goodies range, which is aimed at 12mths+. The brightly coloured packaging was easily recognisable to the older children at the party.

The toddlers (18mths+) instantly saw the cereal bars, grabbed them and ran off. We had 1 of each flavour, (the cocoa & raisin being least popular, i was told it tasted like a very strong fig roll and it was spat out :( )

The bars were a favorite amongst the mums also. The no junk promise makes them very appealing as the kids think they're getting a treat, and the mums know its good for them. As they contain no additives, whole oats and are an excellent source of fibre :)

I would love to see a gluten-free version of these made, as i am a Coeliac and my daughter also has to follow my diet until she's been diagnosed.

These come in packs of 6x 30g bars at £2.25.

The favourite item had to of been the infamous mini gingerbread men! Great size to snugly fit into little hands. No sooner were these opened they were gone! A subtle hint of ginger, sweetened with grape juice, and no sugar. Another hit with the mums!

Again, i would like to see a gluten free alternative to these.

Available in 3 pack sizes ~ 135g for £1.99, 5packs of 25g for £1.99 or the limited edition tin pack containing 135g for £3.99.

The next exciting item were two Squeezy's! We had the blueberry, blackcurrant and pear flavour. These are super easy to use and so tasty (i had a sneaky sip of Lydia's!). The pouch and screw top lid makes them fantastic for on the go. And being 100% organic fruit there's no shame in giving them to your little ones as a quick and tasty treat :)

 Available in four different flavour variety's at a reasonable 89p each.

And to wash all of that down we had four fruit water's, 2 blackcurrant & apple, 2 apple/peach & apricot. Made with only water and real fruit juice (NOT from concentrate) these are a fantastic healthy juice-drink option for mums to go for, and kids love them! The traditional blackcurrant & apple flavour was a hit and the more unusual apple/peach & apricot was a new but loved flavour!

 Both yummy flavours are available to buy at 89p each, for 200ml.

You could re-use the bottles as they have a screw top lid and sports cap.

All of these items have the Organix 'No Junk Promise', which means no artificial colours,flavours or additives. Just nutritious, healthy and tasty products! And are aimed at 12mths+ supervised children. For more information on the Goodies range please visit the website. Where you can also meet the characters on the packaging :)

We love Organix food and will continue to. I hope to see lots more yummy products in the future, including more gluten-free items.

So if your having a toddler party, or simply just want your toddler to eat well, then these are some great ideas for food & drinks to keep them satisfied.

The Organix website has a fun & games section where you can get ideas for party games, recipes and more!

Don't forget to collect your barcodes and jar-codes!

Organix products can be brought direct from Organix online shop or from stores such as; Boots, Sainsburys, Health food shops. Until the end of February you can get free delivery at the online shop by quoting 'freedel2' at the checkout :)

Thankyou for reading, i hope you enjoy some tasty healthy Organix snacks soon :)

Review: YummyMummy Materity wear, Mama-licious Feed Me Long Sleeve Nursing Top (Green Floral)

The lovely Zoe from Yummy Mummy Maternity in Hove, sent me one of their long sleeve nursing tops (in green floral) to review. They do nursing and maternity wear.

I first saw this top on their website and thought how lovely it looked, then it arrived and i was not let down. Its GORGEOUS! Normally i don't wear anything floral or green, but this was so different and lovely.

It arrived wrapped up nice and neatly, displaying the product well and keeping it clean & safe. I particually loved the tag thats says '' FEED ME'', very cute and funny :)

The only off-putting thing was that is says 'XL' on the packaging.
Yummy Mummy's 'XL' is sized for 14/16, the UK's average womans size, so its not really a huge size at all? Lol :)

I found this size fit me perfectly, roomy enough around my 'mum-tum' and snug enough around my boobs for a great fit and chance for a bit of cheeky cleavage!
I am usually around a 14 for tops, but with these huge 36G milkers this top was an amazing fit! I felt very comfortable, trendy and like a yummy mummy in it :) If in doubt over sizing and ordering online, go for the next size up to ensure enough space for nursing sized boobs!

This top has pull-down flaps for nursing access, which allows just enough 'boob' to be out to feed comfortably and descretly (if baby does'nt pull it down like mine, see picture below! lol ). It pulls back up and into shape after feeding without leaving the top saggy or misshapen in that area. Just what every yummy mummy aims for :)

I loved the softness of the fabric and the versatile sleeve's. I like to push my long sleeve tops upto my elbows when busy, trying to feed my daughter lunch for example (picture below). The sleeve's have beautiful detailing around the wrists that tailor it slightly, however leave enough room to gather up comfortably.
The length of the body was also fantastic. I have found that some nursing tops are to short and gather up at the back when sitting/nursing. This has a bit of extra length that covers any sign of 'muffin-top' or 'builders-bum!' (talking about myself here!) Its just great!

As you can tell, i loved reviewing this top and i'm going to wear it to death!

So if you or someone you know are looking for some comfy, descrete, stylish yet affordable nursing tops then i highly reccomend this one.

Also i have some good news for you! The lovely Zoe has shared some discount codes with me, that i can pass onto you to buy this top, similar tops or some of the other gorgeous items from YummyMummy's online shop! (or direct telephone orders on 0844 8094424)

NN10 - will give you £10 off a £25 spend (excluding Sale items)

~~~ Or ~~~

AMB10 - will give you 10% off of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!!! (any order, any amount,including Sale items)


Or you can visit the shop in Hove and see what other lovely things they have! Open 10am-5pm, daily (aprt from Sundays when they're closed)

Yummy Mummy Maternity

161a Portland Road
Hove
East Sussex
BN3 5QJ

Telephone: 01273 327892
Thankyou for reading my review, and i hope you treat yourself to something gorgeous from Yummy Mummy soon!

Review: Nuby no spill Mega flip-it sippy cup 14oz/420ml

We have been reviewing a Nuby 14oz/420ml Mega Flip-it sippy cup, in colours green and pink. On the packaging it states 12mths+, however the website states 9mths+. If a supervised 9mth old can use it then great! But for independent use i think 12mths is more apt.

I was worried that Lydia wouldn't understand how to suck the straw-like nozzle, but she had mastered it in only a few hours! She only drinks water or breastmilk, so the sippy was filled with water.
I was a bit concerned about other children using it for juice based drinks, as when you suck a straw your gums pull back and the liquid gets onto your teeth/gums. With a lot of use would it encourage tooth problems?

Notice the concentration on her face! Hehe

I love the fact that its no-spill, my monkey loves to shake her other sippy cups around and i usually get soaked! It didn't even leak when she had it upside down flicking the nozzle (cheeky baby).

The lovely bright colours kept attracting Lydia towards it, i noticed that over the day she had drank more than normal. Which is great! The fantastic design of the bottle made it very easy for her small hands to grasp and use with ease.

Sometimes when you flip the lid up you get splattered with a little water which has collected in the nozzle end, this was much to Lydia's amusement that she kept doing it over and over! The lid has very easy access, which is great for small fingers. The little bobble handle was the right size for her to push with a finger, and for me to open with a pinch.

Having a good swig!

You can buy replacement lids/spots/straws from Nuby, which is great when you have a cheeky monkey who empties your cupboards and hides things! I did find the spout quite tricky to clean, i think the best way would be to soak them in a bowl/sink of hot soapy water. And then rinse them through whilst squeezing the spout.

I found the thing as a whole was easy to put together and use. The lid screwed on safely, tight enough not to let little one in but loose enough that Mumma won't struggle.

They come in loads of gorgeous colours, how will you choose?
You can buy yours from many retailers. Can't wait? Get yours online, they're only £5.99 with free shipping from Amazon here.

Lydia's Birth story

1yr ago on the 11th January 2010, i was due to have Lydia! She decided that it was to cold and snowy outside, and to stay in for another 10days!
Finally she arrived on the 21st, 2days after a sweep and 2days before an induction!
The birth was not simple to say the least! Three hospitals, 21hrs40mins, episotomy and ventouse delivery later she was born!

Labour started at around 3pm on the Wednesday, i was sat on the birthing ball watching the TV and i felt a sudden sharp twinge. I looked at Justin and his face dropped ''What is it?'' i smiled and jumped up and put his hand on my belly and said ''She's finally on her way!'' :)
After that the contractions were hourly then every 1/2hr, then they dropped to 10mins and 5mins. Meanwhile i tided up the flat, had a bath, double checked my hospital bags and phoned my parents. When they were 5mins apart i phoned the hospital to warn them that i might be arriving in a few hours.
''Ooh were really busy tonight, ring back when the contractions are 2mins apart and we will see?'' said the midwife at Brighton hospital.
We attempted to watch Ferris Bluer's day off, but my contractions were speeding up really quickly and they got to 2.5mins apart by the end of the film. I phoned the hospital again, ''Nope,we can't take you here. Unless you want to have your baby in the hallway?'' said the midwife. Nothing like that to reassure a first time mum! I asked what i should do, i was told that i needed to make my own way to Hayward's heath hospital to be checked over. Hayward's fecking Heath!?! at 9pm with 2min contractions!?! They said they don't send out ambulances, wtf??? Your a hospital!?!
Dad came and drove us (me,mum and Justin) the 40min drive to Hayward's heath, only for them to take a brief look at me and say ''Your only 4-5cm dilated,go home'' I asked if i could wait in the waiting room or anything and she just said no and that i had to leave! Now i was told that you get admitted after 4cm? Not there apparently.
So by the time we got back home the contractions were 1min apart! I phoned (useless) Brighton again. ''No,we can't help you. Go to Worthing'' wtf??? Another 40min journey!?!
Dad took us again. I thought i was going to have her in the car as we went over a bump! Oucho! We arrived and i was bundled into a wheelchair as i couldn't move my legs or think, let alone speak!
They got me into the delivery room and had a look. ''Your ready to push!'' said a really nice midwife (finally)
After pushing for an eternity i was offered G&A which did nothing so i gave it back, they popped my waters for me to see if that'd hurry things along. Nothing! Just a slight dribble!

Me posing just as i was given the G&A



About 6 midwifes and doctors had now came to check me out/shift changes etc... Then they decided to put me on a monitor to check baby's heartbeat. I wasn't allowed to listen as they said she was in distress and needed to come out in the next 1/2hr or I'd have to have a caeserian!
That was it for me, determination kicked in! We were all on the brink of tears at the thought of me being cut open. Mum and Justin either side of me mopping my brow, giving me sips of water and hand holding :) Thankyou. Dad passing in and out of the room seeing if things were needed, thankyou :)
I had to sign a waver form for the caeserian, i desperately asked if there was anything, ANYTHING, else they could try. The midwife Ali (at this point) said she'd go and see if the 'special eqiptment' was available. Wtf is that i thought? Then she returned with a doctor who explained to me what a ventouse delivery was, i agreed and was prepared for surgery.
In the theatre i had to wait whilst they prepared everything, Justin was taken away to put some scrubs on. I felt so alone and frightened, i begged Ali to stay next to me and hold my hand. The surgeon said i needed to stay still so he could give me a spinal block, I'm in labour and i FUCKING hurts you try and stay still!!!! Is what i thought. I actually didn't even swear once, at all!!! Would you believe it!
The spinal block kicked in and i felt numb from the waist down, amazing! They had a screen up so i couldn't see the 'special equiptment', i kept asking for reassurance that they weren't cutting me. Justin came back in and they said they could see her head! :) The surgeon said the vonteuse didn't work and i had to have a c-sect,i begged for one more try and he agreed. It worked, Ali was feeling my belly for contractions and getting me to push. As i was numb it just felt like i was making silly faces whilst having a poo! Hehehe. Three pushes later a scrunched up bloody and bruised, very big baby was handed to me! I cried and looked at Justin, he was mesmerised and in shock. He looked like he'd seen a ghost :) Lydia arrived on Thursday the 21st at 12.40, lunch time. I was starving!
I had the injection to ease my placenta out and they stitched me up, Justin was told to go and wait next door with my parents whilst they did that. I just led there staring at my gorgeous newborn daughter!

Lydia's first cuddle with Daddy

They wheeled me next door where my new life as a mum began! Ali offered to go and fetch Lydia a bottle of milk, i refused and said ''She's my baby, I'm going to feed her'' So i put her to my left breast as she was rooting for it, she knew what to do and was instantly happy. It felt amazing and so right that i had chosen to breastfeed her. I immediately felt the closeness of our bond, a massive rush of love.
After that i was taken to the ward. That night when everyone had to leave i cried, i didn't want to be alone. The other lady's on the ward comforted me, along with some lovely nurse's.
I bleed loads and hemorrhaged so i had to stay in for 4days, they offered me longer but i needed to be at home now. I needed to sleep!!!


1yr later.....Its so crazy how quickly the year has passed by. We are still going strong with breastfeeding, I'm amazed at how big,strong and healthy she is because of me! I keep getting really teary at the thought of my baby turning into a toddler. She's attempting her first few steps at the moment, and I'm planning her 1st birthday party! :'( xxxxx I love you my baby xxxxx

Lydia with Daddy, 1st Christmas 

Thankyou for reading this, please feel free to share yours :) I do have other bits to add but I've just used the important bits :) xxxx

Any animal lovers?

Animals lovers all over the land, i introduce you to my wonderful cousin Sharon!

She's an animal behaviour graduate who is just getting started in her career. Her profound love of animals (favouring the primates)  has driven her into a pursuit for a career with them. Being a vegetarian and wannabe vegan, she really doe's have the animals best interests at heart :)

Also a fantastic amateur photographer with many thousands of beautiful images. She captures animals, nature and life in all its awe!

Please make her welcome in the blogging world and show her some love! :) xxx

Happy new year!

Hello folks :) Lydia and i would like to say ''Happy new year!'' to you all, and thankyou for reading :)

How are we all getting on with the resolutions? Anyone broken theirs yet?
Mine are going OK,i must admit that the re-cycling could improve! So far I've only remembered to hold back one bottle and one cardboard box! Two things are preventing my success, one is the flat is teeny and secondly i honestly keep forgetting! Bad habits (throwing it straight in the bin) are hard to shift.
I think i should add another resolution to my 7, to not use EBay as much!!! Its ridiculous now, constantly bidding (I'm sure that's a form of gabbling somehow?) Lydia so well dressed but i have nothing and I'm skint!

The tidying up more is going well, i am very pleased with my efforts! Before it was a nightmare as i had to entertain Lydia when she was awake and when she napped i could eat/rest. Now we making cleaning fun, her favorite game is throwing all the socks around whilst i try to pair them :)

Lydia is helping me have more fun and forget about the little (unnecessary) things in life.....

Me & Lydia on Christmas Eve'10

I am loving my life, enjoying everything i have got, and looking forward to the future. Watching Lydia grow, and hopefully expanding my family a bit more :)

Lydia & Justin (Daddy) on Christmas morning'10

Today Lydia has learnt how to climb up the furniture! Eek,now we're in trouble! Bookshelf, CD racks and TV stand - your all in trouble now!

She's had bad nappie rash and nothing has been helping. I tried several branded creams/lotions etc... I the end i asked the ladies over at The Leaky Boob for help. They suggested to use some good old...breastmilk!!!

So for a day now i have hand pumped about 2ml and dabbed it onto her affected areas at bum change time. And its working!!! So amazed by it, i thought the wetness of it wouldn't help but i was so wrong. All the redness/soreness and lumps have settled down and its nearly all gone :) so pleased with myself. Justin was also amazed when i told him how it'd improved so drastically that quick.

Breastfeeding is still going well, she seems to have had an increase in feeds again which i don't mind. We are still happy :)

Lydia's hair is growing, shes finally got hair all over her head (no bald spots,like daddy!hahahaha) Its golden blond with a small patch of brown at the back :) Just like how mine was as a baby.

I'm going to end this blog with a funny family picture. Hope you all have a great 2011!!! :) xxx