Toddler Sleep Problems

Getting a toddler to sleep. Such fun! This picture is the from the first night of when we began to resolve our problems!

Here's what happened tonight. We had a bath, mostly stress free, although he loves to splash me at the moment so the bathroom ends up SOAKED! He did not want to get in his jammies (the sign he wasn't going down easy). Then it was story time, he was not listening at all just pottered around the room whilst I read. After the first story he brought me a different one, sat on my lap and listened really nicely cuddled up to me and rubbed his eyes trying not to fall asleep. Here I'm like, 'wahoo he's going to sleep easy tonight'. So wrong!

I then put him in bed and he sort of stayed put. Now normally I will sit and read my book whilst he falls off to sleep but I had forgotten to bring it in. I could see he wasn't going off quickly so I asked him to stay put whilst I went and got it. Stay put he did not! He got out of bed shut the door behind me and got back in bed. That seemed like quite clear message so I left him to it. About five minutes later I could hear a lot of crashing around. I went up to tell him to get into bed but he refused to stay put so I left him again. Within five minutes he was crying my name. I went up again and stayed outside the room, I told him I would come and sit with him if he got in bed and refused to come in until he got into bed. Once he was in, I sat down and read my book, he was asleep very quickly and I stayed reading for ages because it was a good bit!

Now it may not sound like it but that felt like a success! I didn't need to stress, I could tell when things were going to work and what he would listen to.

Why is bedtime such a chore?!

It started when we got back from Antigua. Before that it was story, in the cot, leave the room, never go back! Whilst we were away we were either in the room or he fell asleep in the buggy. There was no routine at all. When we got back bedtime became hell!

After 10 days of fighting he told us quite clearly that the cot was the problem. So right there and then we took the sides off and turned it into his big boy bed! The first few nights were fine but after that it became a fight again. We couldn't get him to stay in bed and it was just more fight than we could handle. After much reading online we decided to put a stair gate across his door so we could just leave him to sort himself out.

Now it's a juggle each night figuring what kind of mood he is in. He does go to sleep easier if we sit in with him whilst he drifts off, but some nights we can just tell it will be easier to leave him to it. I actually love sitting in with him. Watching that kid fall asleep is one of my all time favourite things to do, but also how can I complain about getting to read every night! In the last week whilst Thomas has been studying hard I've been on bedtime duty and read half a book!

Does anyone else have any bed time nightmares? Fears of moving from a cot to a bed? Would love to hear your stories.

Bx

And I'm back!

Photo taken on holiday in Antigua last month

What's that? Can you hear it? Yup, that's the cheers and applause for my return. Possibly. Yes I have finally got over myself and come back to you my beloved (or something like that) readers. I do apologise for my absence, and I have had a lot of people saying how much they missed reading it, so here I am!

You see, at first I thought I had a little writers block, that I was doing anything interesting worth writing about. Then I just decided I just didn't want to write down what I had to say. The last thing I wanted was for this blog to become some kind of pathetic 'dear diary....' situation where I air all my troubles and constantly whinge and moan! I hate whinging and moaning. So I steered clear of writing anything.

Then I was just being lazy!

I am, however, back and back to stay. A little recap of what was going on though and why I just needed to (wo)man up!

We still hadn't managed to make a baby and I was feeling pretty fed up about it. Then a very wise and wonderful family friend told me; "I firmly believe that your body wont get pregnant again until it is ready to". That pretty much kicked me right where it needed to! I just said you know what yeah! I wasn't in a great place emotionally and surgery and whatnot is pretty traumatic on the body. So even if the doctors say it's fine, your body may have other ideas. That helped me calm my thoughts a lot, although I still dedicated myself more to charting my cycles so I could take a more logical rather than emotional view on what was going on.

The other reason that not being pregnant was getting me down was that I had never intended to go back to work for so long. I was quite happy to take a step down in responsibility when it was only temporary, but as the time went on I began to feel that I was wasting my time. Topping it off with work being a pretty unhappy place at the moment, with staff who are not good enough, lots of bitching and moaning and general frustrations, I just never ever wanted to go in. In my decision to let baby stuff happen when it happens, I also decided to focus on what job I would rather be doing instead. I have told work that I would like to be a manager again, but that will just happen if a store comes up and I am suitable so it could be a long time. I've started a manager workbook to get my mind working again anyway. I am also looking elsewhere, I know Nero isn't in my forever, everyone needs a change sometimes! I just have no idea what. So I have been looking else where for interesting sounding vacancies (although this isn't really a thing for someone with no qualifications) and there is the prospect of an interesting joint business venture with a friend!

Other things that were bothering me were an awful lodger who was tearing at Thomas and my relationship, he is now gone and we are very happy again. Also we were going on a big family holiday/wedding which I was dreading. The idea of taking Noah away was completely stressing me out, but it was brilliant, hard but nowhere near as bad as I had prepared myself for! As you can see from the picture above there were lots of smiles.

So now things are on the up. I recently attended/helped with my best friend's wedding which was amazing and I loved being involved in the preparations (event planner....!?). Nothing like the happiest day of someone else's life to perk you right up!

Now if only we could sort Noah's sleep issues.......but that's another post!

Approaching 1000

Hello there everyone.
I am very soon to go over the 1000 page views boundary! I really can't believe so many of you want to read my random chatterings, but thank you very much!

I apologies that I haven't been very active of late. Writers block I suppose. I don't feel very positive about things going on in my life, there are people and situations making things very stressful and I don't want to write whole posts full of misery! So I have been choosing silence.

On a positive note, Noah has become the biggest mimic and a right little chatterbox. He comes home from nursery singing and doing the actions of a new rhyme every day, he recites the swimming teachers instructions in the car on the way home, every time we teach him a new word he uses it the next time in perfect context, he is beginning to use possessive words (without the actual s though) - 'Mummy tea', 'Noah boots', 'Daddy tootah (computer)', even the occasional two words strung together - this morning at breakfast he was quite concerned that we haven't seen his best pal in a couple of weeks and kept saying 'Where Lois?'. It really is adorable, and a little scary how much he notices!

I'm going to have to get some video of him singing the nursery rhymes, the wheels on the bus is just the best!

Because what's a blog post without a photo - Noah insists on wearing these shorts whenever
he can despite the rather chilly temperatures!

On having a poorly child

Snuggled up in the sofa bed - now to be called the sick den -  watching a disney movie

Noah has been really poorly for the last few days. Right now he is upstairs having a nice long nap which is the first time since Thursday. If only he had decided to sleep a bit later and I would have been able to sleep as well, none of us have been able to sleep whilst he's been ill!

It started on Thursday, I had no idea what was wrong with him, he just whined. All day. I took his temp in the afternoon because I couldn't figure out what else it could be and didn't want to take him to his swimming lesson if he was sick! The temp was fine though, so we went ahead with swimming. That evening though his temp went right up and has been floating around 38.5 - 39 degrees ever since. It did shoot up above 40 at one point which totally freaked me out (read about febrile seizures over on Melissa's blog), but he had fallen asleep under a duvet! He's had a rash on and off on his chest but this morning it came up all over his face and his eyes were all puffy. I decided it was time to visit the doctors, I knew that there wouldn't really be anything they could do but some reassurance is nice! Sure enough it is just a virus, a nasty one though, so no antibiotics unless the rash becomes pustules that start weeping (please no!). We did get some cream for his rash which will hopefully keep him more comfortable. I also got the reassurance I needed that we are doing everything right, keeping him in just a nappy, alternating between calpol and nurofen to keep his temperature in check (it hasn't actually brought it down much but at least it doesn't get any higher) and making sure he drinks lots.

The biggest shock to me has been I CAN'T DEAL WITH IT! I have become an overprotective worry mum! I'm usually so calm in a crisis, if anything happens to me I just get on with it and stay fairly level headed. Not when it's my baby apparently! I just want to take it away from him and feel sick myself! I need to hold him all the time when he's at his worst. Even if Thomas is holding him instead of me my hands are itching to take him and clutch him to me! I would give anything to make him better now.

Bx

Achieving one's potential

I've been trying to find the words to say how I am feeling about my work at the moment, but they are not forthcoming.

I have worked at Caffe Nero for more than six years now. I first got the job when I decided to leave university before completing my nursing degree. Not becoming a nurse was something I never regret, I knew I was not good at the job, I found the human biology interesting but that was about all. When I got the job it was meant to be an interim, whilst I figured out what I did want to do.

I found I was great at my job, unashamedly, although it just came to me so easily it just seemed common sense to me (this does cause problems for me when other people struggle with the job, I can't understand their difficulty). I was running my own shop a little more than a year after I started.

Management did not come so easily. I cared too much about what people thought of me, did everything I could to keep my staff happy and didn't really care for the numbers. Yet as is inevitable, at times my staff hated me, as a manager you shoulder the blame for everything they dislike about the job and I couldn't deal with it. When I became pregnant I was thrilled, not just because we were having a baby, but because I was more than ready to leave. I hoped I wouldn't have to return but there was no way we could afford that!

Maternity leave was good for me though. I was ready to go back and when I did I was actually pleased to have some days off from being a mummy. I now work as an assistant manager in a really busy shop. I am a much better number two, although I have realised I was a much better manager than I gave myself credit for at the time. My new boss is great we get on so well, think so alike but also have different priorities, I do the people side, he does the numbers! I can't say how much I enjoy working with him, I now love my job again.

I just have one issue, the pay. I get £7 an hour. To try and describe everything I have to do in one shift it would last pages. Customers often treat us like we are stupid because of the job we do, but I think few people could do it well. You need to be able to do about 100 things at once. We always run on minimum staff so my time is divided between loads of tasks whilst making sure everything I can't do is being done by someone else! It's all second nature to me now though, my colleagues think I'm a genius problem solver but I've just had everything happen before! I know I deserve more pay but I'm being unrealistic.

I would love to be able to move on, do a job that challenges me more. I dream of being an event planner, I'm not sure what; live music, weddings, conferences, fundraising..... and I know I would be good at the job and have many transferable skills, but how many people would look at my CV and think that? How can I leave a job that is so flexible with my hours so I can do what is best for our family? I would probably have to travel meaning that in an entry level job I would probably have less take home. Would it be better to do a degree to have a chance of a higher level job?

I can't answer these questions at the moment and I don't feel ready to leave Nero, but that may just be fear of the unknown. If anyone would like to hire me freelance to plan a party I wouldn't say no though!

Bx

My Heart's Desires

Noah enjoying a walk around town

Right now there are two things I want with all my heart and neither seem to be happening.
I go through days when I don't mind so much and I feel better, but then other days it just hits me and I feel frustrated and angry, upset and disappointed. I feel stupid for feeling like this when I have so much to be thankful for, but I just don't seem to be able to get over them!

Firstly I would like a car! It is the worst thing being able to drive and not having anything to drive. When it's a lovely bright sunny day on a relaxed week I love walking around Ashford. I feel lucky that I can walk to the music groups and swimming lessons, that they are almost on my doorstep. On a rainy day, or in a busy week when I have lots to get done I get so frustrated. Swimming is a 40 minute walk away, not so nice when it's wet. Also that makes 1 hour 20 mins walking for a 30 minute lesson! There are buses, which supposedly run 'every 15 minutes' but more often that not you can wait half an hour before one comes, I would rather be walking and keeping warm! I have also been told I can't get on a bus with the buggy or I have to fold it up, which of course the bus driver wont help with! The last time this happened I actual had to give Noah to a regular customer from my old shop who had stopped to say hello because there was no way I could do it alone! So that was pretty much the last time I attempted the bus! We have no money for a car, not a penny spare really, I wish we could find a way but with Noah starting nursery there's no way!

Secondly, I would like another baby. My body seems to have other ideas about that, maybe it's seen our bank balance.....

Oyster and Chop House, Herne Bay

Mallard with wild rice and fennel, ginger and rhubarb sauce

Last night we went out for a meal for Thomas' Grandad's 70th birthday. It's safe to say that we like to eat out, A LOT. However, we would rather go out less and have great food than more often and it not be so good. Recently we ate at a beefeater and the food was way too much and fairly average, the service was slow and they didn't listen to my request for Noah's food to come out as soon as physically possible, instead it came out after ours! I felt disappointed that it still wasn't exactly cheap but it really wasn't worth the visit!

Last night most certainly was not a disappointment. The Oyster and Chop House in Herne Bay was way better than I was expecting. All the food they served was sourced within 18 miles of the restaurant, it was all fairtrade and organic where possible and it was ALL beautifully presented and delicious, and I didn't feel stuffed just perfectly comfortable and satisfied. The coffee was great too.

Most definitely worth a drive! Go try it.
Bx

Ahhhh bliss!

I am writing this post in an empty house! I have a coffee, some biscuits and I'm listening to my friend Sarah talk about her wonderful business Archie's Boutique on Croydon radio.

Today is my first Wednesday morning with Noah at nursery. I have nearly cleaned the whole house, just the bathrooms to do after elevenses. I kept finding myself at the bottom of the stairs listI was halfway through the housework when I realised that not only will I have this precious time to do the housework, but also the house wont get in such a mess as two whole day a week there will be no one in the house! I can't stress how pleased I am we put Noah in nursery! Of course we haven't paid anything yet, so I may feel different when we are really scraping the barrel to get by!

Here's Noah posing for the obligatory 'first day at nursery' shot

I wonder how long I will go on enjoying it. Noah was really good on his first day, but he does have a tendency to be pretty rough with other kids. I may just come to find it completely embarrassing picking him up each week and hearing all the naughty things he has done!

Baking (or not) with a toddler

I am beginning to search for structured activities I can do with Noah. He is such a busy bee and I want to try and get him to sit down and calm down so we can spend some time learning and playing together.
Today we tried an alphabet puzzle, he copied every noise I made of the letters, but his interest in the actual puzzle was none and he soon wandered off. I tried some flash cards, the have colours and number but I was just trying to get him to tell me what the pictures were of. Some I knew he knew for definite but his response was just "no" to everything!
So after he walked into the lounge and asked for the telly to go on AGAIN, I decided to crack out the big guns; "Noah we are going to bake something!".
I had a very simple cookie mix I got for christmas, so I thought it would be fine! We donned our aprons and he seemed pretty keen!

He liked mixing things and I thought he would like using the rolling pin as he likes doing it with playdough, but no, he lost interest about then.

So I pretty much made the biscuits myself, he cut one out I think, but that was under duress! The end result was good though and he did enjoy them!

Snack time

Noah and I are completely obsessed with popcorn at the moment! We have it as a snack most days it's just us!
Sweet toppings usually involve cinnamon, my favourite being melted better with dark brown sugar and cinnamon.
Savoury has been more varied.
Today's was scrummy; lemon olive oil, raspberry balsamic vinegar, oregano and Parmesan.
So tasty and so few calories as well. It is better fresh but intend to make a big batch on a Tuesday and just flavour it as we eat it over the next few day! Noah will quite happily eat it plain, he gets super excited when I say I'm getting it!

Bx

Thinning out the wardrobe

Like many women my wardrobe is absolutely jam packed full of clothes I never wear! Thomas' is exactly the same though!

I recently managed to add even more to it as some clothes that were in the loft now fit again. I do have lots in there that is too big now though but I hate to get rid of things 'just in case'.

So I have started a new long haul decluttering (for both of us). I have turned all the coat hangers the wrong way round, the ones that are still the wrong way round in 6 months are gonners! I'm sure it will just make me want to wear those things and it won't work at all, but I have to try!

Bx

Travel Sickness

Does anyone have any suggestions in dealing with travel sickness in toddlers?
Noah has been really sick a few times that has clearly been just due to being in the car. Any over the counter medicines and the pressure point bands are all for 2+. We tried ginger biscuits before but he wasn't that keen and I don't really want to give him biscuits every time we go in the car!

Bx

A big family decision

Today we took the plunge and made a big decision!

Noah will be starting at a nursery as soon as possible.

I was dreading this kind of decision, I thought it would be hard to chose, hard to think of leaving him with strangers, that I would feel neglectful. I Don't! I feel such peace about it.

Just before Christmas one of our regular Noah minders decided she couldn't do it any more. It was such a blow, I had just committed to working extra hours at work so I couldn't take the day off and from all that we knew of the local nurseries the good ones had massive waiting lists. The only solution we could come to was Thomas requesting flexible working hours. It was accepted on a trial basis; he had Mondays off and worked 8-6 Tue-Fri. It was HORRENDOUS! Well still is, we're still doing it! Thomas is exhausted, we never see each other as there are things going on most evenings, so we eat and then go our separate ways. We had planned to get Noah into a pre-school in the summer when he was 2 so we were going to look around this month and get his name down somewhere. We thought maybe we could cope with 6 months of this!

Fortunately we found that our top choice could actually take Noah straight away on our chosen days. It's the one at the hospital where Thomas works, so it's so convenient. Literally the biggest blessing going!

So he's going to go all day Monday and Friday whilst I am at work, but also he's going to go on a Wednesday morning. I am hoping I will be able to use this time to get the housework done, also to run chores, get my hair done or just read my book! Whatever is most needed to keep our sanity! At the moment the house is complete chaos, we just never have the time/energy to get anything done. I know I can hear you asking, 'so why are you sitting around writing a blog post?' Well I'm eating my lunch as well, it's the only thing on my to do list that wont give me indigestion! I also like the fact that I wont be worry about trying to get these things done in my time with Noah, and he can have my full attention.

It's going to be money we don't really have, but we are going to utilise the childcare vouchers to make some savings. I think the monetary sacrifice will be worth it, for a happier more relaxed family.

2013 is already looking better than last year.

Bx

THE 100 Book List

For those of you who are new readers, I have been reading my way through a booklist that I compiled. I began nearly four years ago, right before we got married. Since February 2009 I have been making my way through the list. It is actually way more than 100 books as each series only counts as one book. I am currently on number 50 (which happens to be a series of six).

For those of you who have been following my progress, this blog will incorporate the list.

I will try not to harp on about it too much. I may mention when I have finished a book. Big up the ones I have especially enjoyed. Moan about the ones I hate.

Whatever I do, the list can be found on the right hand side of my page, the ones in brackets are the ones I HAVE read.

The 2013 To Do List

Last year we wrote a to do list.

Some simple goals and aims that we wanted to strive towards in 2012. We achieved almost none of them.This year we decided to try it again, with a little more determination from the massive failure of last year! 

The list is as follows (in no particular order)
-Successfully bake a batch of macaroons
-Complete all distance learning
-Make a baby
-Tidy all toys away before tea time
-Eat at the table
-Do not use credit cards
-Adhere to a budget
-Get more crafty
-No more potty mouthing
-Get tattoo done
-Blog more
-Maintain a healthy weight (that's how Thomas phrased it, I'd like to lose some more)
-Get to 70 on my 100 book list
-Keep better contact with friends near and far
-Potty train Noah

Some small, some bigger, some life changing.

 So far it's going pretty well. Obviously the blog is going well. Other than a movie and pizza night, we have eaten at the table. The toys (that fit in the toy boxes) are going away every day. Today we saw some friends that we saw about twice last year, which was no where near enough! For the second time this week I text someone just on the off chance they were free and both times it paid off. Another text has just been sent this minute for later in the month, so here's hoping! I also saw a tattooist about drawing me up some artwork.

Thomas has promised if I count 3000 swear words I get a car, so I kind of don't mind if that one fails! He's only up to 7 though!

 I know it's only the 6th but the success we have so far is making me feel pretty smug!Bx

Work vs. Home Life

Today I was at work. Friday is a work day, Monday, Friday and Saturday (or Sunday). And any other days in between! It was busy, and hard work, and frustrating. It was also fun, a laugh and challenging. Apparently I quite like challenging things (ask my husband!). Coming home and feeling completely exhausted made me think back on how I felt at the end of the day yesterday. I can only say OH MY WORD! Nothing, is more tiring, challenging or fun than a day at home with a toddler. Yet again, he was aggy as anything, well we both were. He pushed and pulled me around all day, not that he knew what he wanted from me. I hate it when he's like that, I desperately try to find an activity that would keep him happy. We did find some things. I did get him to sit and play on his new laptop whilst I got some tasks done on mine.

We also had our first go at painting in his magic water painting books. This was a success, he does seem to be quite craft. After the book lost it's appeal he went on to paint the oilcloth and then sat for ages really carefully painting his trunki, making sure he got water on every little bit of it!

After we both had a good nap we actually got some useful tasks done! We tidied up the house a bit and packed away all the clothes that don't fit him anymore. I felt scared by how much there was, and how big he is growing. Then I realised some of the clothes were 3-6 months and I didn't feel so bad. Actually it wasn't many clothes at all for 12+ months. He really is quite a little kid. The small tasks of home are fulfilling in a completely different way to my work life. Work is all encompassing when I am there, but I enjoy myself, I know exactly what to do and feel like ME. At home I feel out of my depth. Every moment is a new experience, it's a steep learning curve, but it fill my heart with a REAL purpose. A little person who needs gently guiding and teaching to help him along in the world. A task I often don't feel up to. I shall go on trying! Bx

Return to Mothering - Originally posted 02/02/13

Today I was home with Noah, for the first time in about two weeks it was just us. It was lovely and horrid all at once! Firstly, after weeks of sleeping really late, today he was raring to go at 7.30. I was not. Then he was absolutely ghastly. Who knows why he was in such a foul mood, but he was and it wasn't fun. Yet again, I resorted to the child sitter called TV, and yet again I felt like a completely failed mother! It does work though, I got some things done and he actually stayed still and quiet. I consoled myself with the fact that the morning shows are reasonable educational; today he enjoyed Alphablocks and Show Me Show Me. Both of us had to get out the house in the afternoon, and we managed to combine some chores with seeing a very dear friend. As a family we have been very neglectful of our friends in the past year. Life just seems to get away from us, but that isn't an excuse. Noah of course was not really interested in being stuck in the buggy OR walking around anywhere! It's great being at home with Noah, he is the funniest little thing, he makes me laugh and be sillier than I've ever been, he keeps me on my toes and makes me move all the time! Yet at the same time, I know why I have to go to work! He's screeching when he's cross or frustrated, his whining when he has more energy than he knows what to do with, the need to constantly watch him for his safety and his pleasure. It's exhausting! A crazy busy day at work is easier. I can also see him physically grow before my eyes, and know I need to earn money to clothe him! He seems to be using a stretching rack over night at the moment! Being at work makes me happy, keeps me sane and helps sustain our family, but I find it all to easy to be there too much. Working so much over Christmas really made me miss my little boy. Today I tried my hardest to savour every minute of it. I look forward to more days just being with my little monkey!

Everyone go buy things from ARCHIES - Originally posted 17/09/12

Noah is modelling his new pyjamas from Archie's Boutique. They are gorgeously soft and organic from a company called Old Rectory. Archie's is full of lovely baby things, some really special pieces that would make a great gift for a friend's baby or a special treat for your little one! I want everyone to go and have a look and try and resist buying something. http://archiesboutique.com/

Ju Ju Be - Originally posted 15/09/12

Ever since having Noah I have been dissatisfied with the nappy bags I had. I had two problems, firstly we use reusable nappies and they take up a lot more room, and secondly I have a tendency to want to take everything with me everywhere "just in case"! So none of the bags I tried were big enough for a whole day out, and it seemed pointless to use disposable nappies when we were out and about. When I discovered the Ju Ju Be bags I thought they were so lovely. They are so well thought out and made from really good quality materials. The bags are teflon coated to keep them clean, the changing mats are memory foam and the hardware is all really strong metal. All their bags are call 'Be something'..... so this bag, the 'Be Prepared', was made for me!

It's actually designed as a bag for twins, which is slightly embarrassing, but it can fit everything I want in! It also doubles up as a weekend bag when Noah is staying at his grandparents' houses and we DO just take disposables. One of my favourite parts of this bag is the 'Mummy Pocket' or parent pocket as Thomas keeps telling me! When I'm out with Noah I never want to carry around a handbag as well as a nappy bag, but in other bags I was forever rummaging around for my phone or purse. This bag has a separate pocket at the front just for ME.

As you can see it has lots of pockets for organising your belongings. The key fob is great to stop your keys wandering, the sunglasses pouch can also clean your glasses, and there are two plastic pockets on the front for putting photos in (which I haven't got round to yet) Behind the mummy pocket is a small flat pocket, which you can tuck the front short handle into, I also keep my kindle in there for the rare moments Noah is asleep and I have time to sit with a coffee and have a read

Inside there is masses of space. Which of course I can fill every bit of!

Here's the things i have inside Jumper for Noah Small bag of first aid items Waterproof bag with spare clothes Small child entertainment Nappies A couple of emergency disposable nappies A muslin Snacks Sun cream 'Be Clean' bib 'Be Quick' zip bag

The "Be Quick" bag was possibly the best purchase of the lot! It's just the right size to fit one disposable nappy and my cheeky wipes (post to follow about those). It also has a little zip pocket which I keep bum cream and hand cleaning gel in.

We don't want to lug this monster of bag to and from the toilets, so we can just grab the 'Be Quick' and the change mat (good for a man who doesn't want to carry around a massive flowery bag). I will also just stick this in a handbag if I'm only popping out for a couple of hours. I'll just include a few pictures of the other things in the bag.... The child entertainment

The 'Be Clean' bib and it's super little pouch

Drink in the best cup we've found, and snacks which today are (from the top down)....bread sticks, raisins, crisps, biscuits and blueberries and rasperries.

A nappy and the wet bag

Nearly there! The back pocket has the changing mat in and you can tuck the other short handle in here when using the messenger strap.

The attention to detail on the bag is great. You do get what you pay for though! This bag did not come cheap, but I really do think it was worth every penny. If we ever have two babies in nappies this will be essential! It may be a little over the top for one, but I love it!

Welcome one and all

Yet again I'm starting afresh. This time I mean it though. New year, new start. Last year not the best and my mind is just about exploding. So I want to write. Talk about my life, make sure I look at the good things in everyday. I also want to stick to the original aims. I found (and still do) blogs so helpful when I first had Noah, they are a great reference point for what 'real' mums do. Some parenting things, I feel great about and want to tell everyone what I do. Other aspect I just want to know what you, out there in the world, would do! I will copy over the post I want to keep from my old blog and then say goodbye to Tumblr. I hope many people enjoy what I have to say. Please talk to me, I want to create a dialogue with any readers I have! Bx