Review: Baba and Boo cloth nappie



The lovely Eve of Baba and Boo sent me one of her 'Limited edition' green spot nappy's, both of us keen to see my verdict following my previous review of their nappy's.

The Baba and Boo real nappy brand has just won ‘Best Reusable Nappy’ in the Loved By Parents awards and Eve came runner up in the 'Fab Woman' award. Also shortlisted for ‘Best Green Business’ in the Mumpreneur UK awards.

Fantastic work Eve!

I was very excited when i received my parcel as i had no idea what nappy was inclosed. I opened it up and was even more excited to find not only my favorite pattern of polka dots, but it was green also and we didn't have any green nappy's! The fabric is a printed poly/cotton with a waterproof lining that's soft on baby's bottom. The nappy came with two microfibre inserts, so only a few washes away from being worn :) 

This new nappy has been improved, now with extra poppers along the top of the legs to give a much better fit on baby. Being a one size nappy (10lbs-37lbs) it super easy to maintain and you never get the wrong size for your little one. Simply pop or un-pop up the front to get the correct height and the same along the top when on baby for the width.

My chunky thighed 19mths old wears hers on the highest setting with two poppers showing around the waist, still lots of room to left for her to grow into. She is now 28lbs and this will see her through to potty training.

Then its being passed on to her sister who is due in just over 10wks time. As a newborn/young baby she will wear it on the smallest setting with all the poppers fastened.

Being so stylish i was proud for Lydia to show it off, it became part of her outfit in the summer...

Let's just hope she grows out of flashing her knickers in public! :)

At £9.75 for a limited edition nappy and two inserts i think your onto a winner! And with so many other designs to choose from your baby's nappy's are going to be more stylish than your own knickers! You can also buy more than one at a time which offers you a lovely little saving, even better :)

I can safely say that i LOVE these nappy's, Thankyou Eve.

Baba and Boo offer so much more than nappy's and great value, have a browse around the online store and remember to visit the clearance page for some bargains.

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

A mother's work is never done....but surely she deserves a tea break?

On Friday the 12th of Novemeber we went on our first family holiday!

We went to Bath to stay with Justin's dad and his wife, in their gorgeous bungalow.

It was dark when we arrived after a 4-5hr car journey. We only had to stop twice, once to feed Lydia and give her legs a stretch from the carseat and secondly so i could wee! (Very daintily alongside the motorway,glamourous or what!?!) I also sucessfully managed to breastfeed Lydia twice whilst Justin was driving! Totally safely and both strapped in, i just leant into her. Thankfully i have huge boobs! Lol

We had a white Skoda Fabia hire car, small but perfect size for the three of us. I was so shocked at how much luggage such a small person needed (Lydia, not me!) and i was amazed that i managed to tetris style fit it all in the boot!

The car was comfortable once we worked out how to lower the seats, but in need of a good wash!

I was greatly amused by its registration number;

FOOK! (hehehe)

Julia had prepared us a lovely meal of beef stew, the first stew i have ever eaten! And i hadn't eaten beef for several years, but it was gorgeous! Since being home i have re-created it, but our beef was not as tender as the Bathonian Jasper the cow!

We washed it down with some yummy cava, a few bottles to be accurate!

So here was my break, finally! Peter and Julia were so lovely and would'nt let me lift a finger! Everytime my glass had a sip missing it was topped up, if my plate was empty i was offered more. If i needed or wanted for anything i was told to ask for it. They were so attentive to Lydia's needs and tuned in to moving all the hazzardous items away from her grasp! It felt quite alien to not do much, but bloody fantastic at the same time! It was lovely to find out that Peter fully supports and understands me for still breastfeeding Lydia, after all she is a baby and needs it! (had a not so nice comment from another family member so i am a bit touchy on the subject! lol )

With Lydia getting lots of attention from Peter & Julia, Justin and i managed to have a bit of 'us' time.

I felt really happy and fell in love all over again! Holding hands walking through the streets of beautiful Bath together, so romantic! We can't wait to go back, hopefully next year for longer :)

Justin & I at 'the circus' cresent

On the saturday we headed into Bath town centre, about 11miles from where we were.

We had a coffee to perk us up then all walked around Bath centre, the royal crescent, back streets, a few shops,the weir and stopped for lunch at Garefunkils. The weir is a beautiful sight, i'd imagine it to be a perfect picnic location during the summer.

That evening we went to Glastonbury! Not the concert though, thats in Pilton :p

It was a carnival for a childrens charity that they run for a few weeks a year, every year around the surrounding area/towns/villages.

Walking to the carnival through the main street was manic! It was so packed (think Lewe's on bonfire night and times it by five!) We were meeting a few of Julia's friends at the other end of the street, so we had to battle it through the crowd. We found a gap in the fence to get through so i asked the people stood there if we could pass. the response was, well.... less than polite! Lets just say they ruined our night before it had even started! The carnival was nearly 2hrs late in starting and we were all friggin freezing standing around waiting for it to start. Full of drunken kids smoking weed, it got to 9pm and we had only seen about 3 floats, it started to rain and we decided it was time to go home to wine and nibbles!

Lydia & Daddy at the carnival

Then sunday arrived, going home day :(
Lydia was a bit unsettled in the night,but nothing to major. Didn't have to bring her in with us, she was happy in her travel cot on loan from Chelle & Fizz. (Thankyou :) )

We met up with Julia's parents and went to the local pub (for local people, hehe) for a sunday roast.

The staff were very good at helping with my dietry requirements and checked things for my safety. I had roast chicken and Julia had roast pork, everyone else went for the beef. The beef was quite tough yet rather red inside? Julia complained and they couldn't appologise enough, offering a new meal and free tea/coffee's all round. Excellent service that you don't get down here that much.

 

Before we left Peter showed us around the bungalow and garden (1/3 acre!)

He picked an apple fresh of the tree and gave it to me! I'd love to able to have that. They have a huge vegetable patch, green house and several fruiting trees/bushes. I was given a bag of pink fleshed apples to cook with. They looked scary but tasted gorgeous in the apple pie i made :) yummy!

Then we had to leave for home :(

We were very sad to leave as we'd had a brilliant time with fantastic company. But we left smiling, knowing we were welcome back, and for longer next time.

The journey was quicker coming home as it was a late and dark sunday, and Lydia slept the whole way!
We stopped off to get a take-away curry and some cava to finish off our holiday with a bang! (more of a pop really! lol)

We still had the hire car until tuesday morning so we decided to make the most of it by having a day trip on monday. We went to Eastbourne :)

I finally brought myself something! (it was only a pair of leggings, but its something!) And managed to get quite a few christmas presents, yey!

We drove home via seven sisters, what a beautiful view!

Tuesday arrived and it really felt quiet somber, the real end to our holiday :(

We handed the car back and wandered aimlessly around Brighton.

Lydia loved having her daddy all day everyday for two whole weeks, she had been super clingy to him the whole time. I knew i'd have my work cut out when he returned to work.

And boy was i right! This week she's been teething so badly, waking a few times each night. Being un-consoleable and grumpy.

My tea break is well and truely over.....COME BACK DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its been so long....

Hello peeps! Sorry for being away so long. Its been a bit mental here.

Where do i start?

Lydia ~ She now has two gorgeous little and very long-awaited teeth! She can take up to 5steps at a time on her wooden baby walker. She's been trying to climb up the new kitchen cupboards! (yes you heard me,me finally have cupboards!!!!)
She has perfected her attention cry and 'the sad face' along with screaming/crying if we say no to anything! Wonderful,lol.

Home ~ Hooray,we finally have a completed kitchen!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can start getting back to normal and cooking up lots of lovely things for us three. So excited about just idea of it. And i can now relax without the fear of the landlady/builder coming in whilst i walk around my flat naked! hahaha

Work ~ Lydia is now my full-time job! I have quit work for a few reasons. Some being that i am still  breastfeeding, i don't want to miss a single thing that Lydia achieves and many more things. Money is going to be tight but we will manage as it is what works best for us.

Boob's ~ yup,they're still there! Well,i think we have finally shifted that evil nipple thrush now! In the end i had to have a steroid based cream. I was really worried about this affecting Lydia, but the doctor reassured me about it and its nearly totally gone now! I have also tried the cream on my dermatitis on my scalp, it seems to help if i use it everyday (but the cream smells and is bright yellow!)
Still breastfeeding, and still loving it! Lydia only has about 3-a-day now, more if shes teething or ill and less if she doesn't want it.

Crafting ~ I have been keeping myself sane in the evenings with a little light sewing whilst watching the TV. So far i have made 'LYDIA' and '0-9' in fabric from an old cotton summer dress that got ripped, and stuffed them with a pillow from the 99p shop. Simples!
Also made her a taggy blanket with the same fabric and various bits of ribbon sourced from around the flat. (including those annoying bits on the inside of dressing gowns)
Also been making a few more toy catchers for friends and their small people.

Social life ~ Some sad news, my baby club is moving to fair light school on Lewes road in November. To far to walk and to awkward for us to get to by bus, plus buses are so frigging expensive now :0( But the good side is that they're going to make a new one nearer me, unsure when but i hear its near the big church at the beginning of Preston park (go up the road the bus takes you into town, by the shops)
Also made a lovely new friend a few weeks ago. Cheryl who has Matteo (4days younger than Lydia)
Swimming on Fridays is still a good event that almost always happens, we even did it last week when it was pouring down! If you fancy joining us just let me know and i can tell you the details.

Love ~ Justin has got a promotion! Woo! He will start as a temporary manager in November and see how it goes,then hopefully next year it might be a full time new job! Yeah! Very exciting stuff!
We are going on our first holiday as a family in November,i am excited but a little scared. We will be getting a hire car and going to bath to stay with Justin's step-dad in his gorgeous bungalow. I am excited about going away somewhere for the first time in years, and as a family for the first time. But i am scared about taking Lydia away as its the first time, messing up her routine, strange place etc....
I think i just need to bite my tongue and get on with it otherwise I'll never be able to go anywhere if i cant even manage a family trip!!!

Finally i think i will post this now as Lydia has just woken up and is being a terror!

Pub, Love and Nipples!

PUB -

I escaped yesterday! I went to the pub!!!! Hehee!

I forgot what it was like to be me! Met up with my friend for a 'coffee' - shame that the pub was closer!

<---- TEMPTATION, it mostly always wins!

I went with Karen whilst we waited for her son, Sammy, to finish at nursery. It was great just being myself for a change. A 2hr break from being Mamma Dom! The longest that i have ever been away from Lydia. I had 2 drinks! Yes, 2 whole drinks!!! Half a pint of Bulmers and a small glass of red wine. What a bad mother i must be....

Lydia was at home with her daddy, playing and having her dinner. She was really good until i returned, then she threw a wobbly!

LOVE -

She woke 3times in the night, zombie mummy today. I wish these damn teeth would hurry up and make an appearance as i can't stay sleep deprived much longer! The last 2 previous nights she has settled with some teething gel/powders, but last night it took that with baby nurofen and a feed to settle her after nearly 2hrs of screaming!!!!!!! Oh joy!

Now i am a full-time SAHM (stay at home mum) i feel great! Knowing that i don't have to worry anymore about childcare, weaning her off the breast etc... is such a relief. I feel so much more relaxed now. Lydia is my job, fun, world! The thought of weaning her saddened me, now i am over-joyed that we can continue as we are. I am not ready to return to work or give up breastfeeding. I love Lydia so much!

NIPPLES -

On the other hand, i do not love my nipple's right now! Itchy, itchy, ow, ow!!! I still have nipple thrush! :0( boo! Its really itching now that its starting to heal up, but its a good thing i suppose.
I am really pleased with myself for sticking to it and not giving into it. I have survived the cracks, Itches, lumps and bumps!
The doctor said to me "More power to you my love,your doing great!" because it was one of the worst cases of nipple thrush that she'd seen! Luckily Lydia has not got it in her mouth (touch wood,she won't).

The most UN-glamorous part of it is the 'airing', letting your boobs 'air' as much as you can, this involves letting them hang out! So theres me sitting there with a road map for a belly  (stretch marks) and crusty granny boobs! So sexy, NOT!

You remind me of somebody ...

... Somebody like me

With those deep blue eyes,

Mysterious and dark like the sea.

I wonder what you think,

and what you will see?

Your my special someone,

someone that's just like me ...

Father's day

Today was Justin's first father's day.

Lydia (i) got him a 'daddy cool' t-shirt, apple Smirnoff, Bassetts, Kubrick toys x3, t-shirt for Lydia 'i love dad' (H&M), me-to-you 'daddy' bear and a beautiful photo frame with pictures of the two of them together. Two cards, one from me and one from little miss clever pants!

They both had they're new tops on (me left out? nah! he he)We went for a lovely walk around our local park, went in a few local shops and sat in the park with gluten free samosas,pakoras and some Dr Pepper (so miss-understood!lol)

I am treating the daddy to a Chinese take-away tonight as he doesn't want to go out for a meal? I don't mind, its yummy and cheaper!!!! Plus then i can have a small drink of his new vodka! Oooh cheeky mummy!

My dad got a Lorreal men set, Toblerone, Montezuma butterscotch, batten burg cake, picture frame with Lydia in it, and i took him for a coffee. He also had two cards, one from me and one from Lydia that said 'grandad' on it. (So sweet!)

How was fathers day for you?

Virgin blogger

Hello all and welcome to my first ever blog. I hear you chanting virgin at me! STOP IT! Lol

So the challenge of being a parent is ever growing like my love for Lydia. You can't fathom the immensity of love you have for you child when they're born, and it just keeps on growing and getting stronger.

Lydia will be 5months old on the 21st! How time flys when your having fun. Even when your not having fun its all worth while when you get a smile after hours of screaming.

At the moment i have my first 'mummy illness', Mastitis. Needless to say it is not fun! Very painfull and tiring to say the least when you have a very hungry,demanding baby to breastfeed! I have antibiotics from the doctor. He reassured me that only a very small amount, if any, will pass onto Lydia. And if it doe's it will only help her cough/cold/teething and sore bum problems anyway.

You could say she helped me write this, as she is led on my legs feeding as i write!

Well i hope you enjoywd my first ever blog, feel free to leave a comment. Thankyou for reading, and look out for post number 2.