I managed to pick up a few Christmas presents for Finn yesterday from the Early Learning Centre sale, shhhh but the code CROCODILE gives an extra 20% off. Go! Go! Go!
Mel x
Thursday 28 June 2012
Wednesday 27 June 2012
Bad parenting
Those of you that follow me on twitter, will know from my constant moaning that Finn is one of them children that go on hunger strike often. Generally he eats well, if he can pick the food up with his pincer grip. however probably 2/3 out of 7 he doesn't eat enough to keep a sparrow alive and drops the food off his highchair with great contempt.
My dilemma is, do I try to feed him healthy, nutritious food on his off days, or do I feed him what I know he will eat, which is generally either cheese on toast, a mini pizza, petit filous or Cheerios.
The latter makes me feel like a bad mother for not giving him any vegetables or fruit, the former again makes me feel bad as I know he won't eat. I swear he's trying to put me in an early grave.
The doctor has finally listened to me and has referred Finn for his development and weight, he's about 12 weeks behind developmentally and his weight has stayed static for about 3 months now, so I am glad someone is finally listening to my concerns. Despite this he is the happiest child known to man and is so chilled out he's practically horizontal!
When he eats, he eats the most huge portions, when he doesn't eat, he eats nothing at all! Does anyone else little one do this, what did, what would you do?
The latter normally prevails, tonight was cheese on toast followed by two petit filous, least I know he ate.
Mel x
My dilemma is, do I try to feed him healthy, nutritious food on his off days, or do I feed him what I know he will eat, which is generally either cheese on toast, a mini pizza, petit filous or Cheerios.
The latter makes me feel like a bad mother for not giving him any vegetables or fruit, the former again makes me feel bad as I know he won't eat. I swear he's trying to put me in an early grave.
The doctor has finally listened to me and has referred Finn for his development and weight, he's about 12 weeks behind developmentally and his weight has stayed static for about 3 months now, so I am glad someone is finally listening to my concerns. Despite this he is the happiest child known to man and is so chilled out he's practically horizontal!
When he eats, he eats the most huge portions, when he doesn't eat, he eats nothing at all! Does anyone else little one do this, what did, what would you do?
The latter normally prevails, tonight was cheese on toast followed by two petit filous, least I know he ate.
Mel x
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Too routine?
Recently I made a resolve with myself that, I can't sit at home mopping about having made no friends up here, so I decided that I need to go in search of other mummies. My problem? I'm writing this whilst the kiddo naps, there in lies my problem.
I read Gina Ford whilst I was pregnant and promptly thought it was most definitely not the route for me, I'm pretty relaxed, and Finn is so relaxed he's practically horizontal. However, once he's been awake for 2-3hours, that's it, he is whacked and needs at 2 hour nap. Now this rules out pretty much every playgroup, music group, library rhyme time due to their 9.30-10.30 starts. Luckily I've found one group that runs in the afternoon every other Friday which I'm going to this week, but do I keep him awake, struggle through the morning with a whingy toddler who won't enjoy himself? I've decided otherwise. Currently our mornings are lovely, so I think I'm just going to have to wait until he pushes his naps back a bit or is able to stay awake in the morning longer until I can go find myself lots of lovely new friends!
My sleepy bedhead boy.
Mel x
I read Gina Ford whilst I was pregnant and promptly thought it was most definitely not the route for me, I'm pretty relaxed, and Finn is so relaxed he's practically horizontal. However, once he's been awake for 2-3hours, that's it, he is whacked and needs at 2 hour nap. Now this rules out pretty much every playgroup, music group, library rhyme time due to their 9.30-10.30 starts. Luckily I've found one group that runs in the afternoon every other Friday which I'm going to this week, but do I keep him awake, struggle through the morning with a whingy toddler who won't enjoy himself? I've decided otherwise. Currently our mornings are lovely, so I think I'm just going to have to wait until he pushes his naps back a bit or is able to stay awake in the morning longer until I can go find myself lots of lovely new friends!
My sleepy bedhead boy.
Mel x
Friday 22 June 2012
Angelcare Sound and Movement Monitor Review.
I have been meaning to review the Angelcare Sound and Movement Monitor for ages. It's probably my top baby buy. Ever.
When I was pregnant the baby monitor market was a minefield, sound, movement, video, so many to chose from. I just wanted to be able to hear him, so I plumped for a tommee tippee basic one for about £20.
Then Finn decided to come 5 weeks early. Stepping into neonatal intensive care for the first time was like another world. So much noise, bells, whistles, alarms. I spent 17 days constantly watching Finns stats, listening to those beeps. I knew if he stopped breathing, even for a second.
We all know about SIDS and how to reduce the risk, sleeping on back, no smoking, baby at foot of cot etc. having a premature baby increases the risk of SIDS, and I happened to have one that rest to sleep any which way but on his front. So £80 lighter I bought this monitor. It has given me peace of mind everyday since. Especially fresh out of hospital. I have only just stopped using the SensorPad, and that was purely because I left it up north on a visit and had no choice. Otherwise I'd be using it still.
Product Details -
-Under-the-mattress SensorPad to monitor all your baby's movements, even the lightest breath
-Variable sensitivity settings, alarm will sound if no movement has been detected for 20 seconds
-Portable rechargeable Parent Unit, clip to your belt and monitor your baby on the go
-Enjoy crystal clear sound transmission and security with the unique combination of 8 channels and 2 frequencies
-Full colour digital display, batteries or mains operated
Pro's
- You can select the monitor to 'tic' constantly, if it stops ticking, baby has stopped moving and off goes the alarm. I found it very reassuring, and very soothing.
- The temperature is show on the screen, you can set an alarm to go off it's too hot or too cold
- Easy to change frequency, as I found out when classical music starting booming through it and scared me half to death
- super long battery life. I charge this at night, it lasts a 2 hour nap in am, a nap in pm, then about 4 hours in the evening until I recharge it.
- the nightlight is just enough for a dimly lit feed.
- It has a good range, I used to sit in the garden and it worked perfectly well.
- volume control
- easy to chose settings from sound/movement/ticking or all three
Con's
- the only negative I have is you can't have it constantly on audio, the only setting is to pick up noise, so my mum hates it, when I was little she could hear me breathing over the monitor, this is silent until a noise is made. This only became noticeable to me when I turned the SensorPad off, it went from constantly ticking to silence. However I'm used to it now.
- it is a bit complicated, that's only because it has so many different settings, I did have the instruction manual out for a fair few weeks.
- this is only really if you're forgetful but if you pick the baby up out of the cot without putting the monitor on hold the alarm goes off. Thats not really a con as its only doing its job, it's just a bit annoying!
- no two way talk back, not that I see why you'd need that but competitors have it.
- no lullabies.
The cheapest I can find it at the moment is £79.46 on amazon. In my opinion it is worth every penny if you want/need that reassurance. There is also a video version of this monitor.
Mel x
When I was pregnant the baby monitor market was a minefield, sound, movement, video, so many to chose from. I just wanted to be able to hear him, so I plumped for a tommee tippee basic one for about £20.
Then Finn decided to come 5 weeks early. Stepping into neonatal intensive care for the first time was like another world. So much noise, bells, whistles, alarms. I spent 17 days constantly watching Finns stats, listening to those beeps. I knew if he stopped breathing, even for a second.
We all know about SIDS and how to reduce the risk, sleeping on back, no smoking, baby at foot of cot etc. having a premature baby increases the risk of SIDS, and I happened to have one that rest to sleep any which way but on his front. So £80 lighter I bought this monitor. It has given me peace of mind everyday since. Especially fresh out of hospital. I have only just stopped using the SensorPad, and that was purely because I left it up north on a visit and had no choice. Otherwise I'd be using it still.
Product Details -
-Under-the-mattress SensorPad to monitor all your baby's movements, even the lightest breath
-Variable sensitivity settings, alarm will sound if no movement has been detected for 20 seconds
-Portable rechargeable Parent Unit, clip to your belt and monitor your baby on the go
-Enjoy crystal clear sound transmission and security with the unique combination of 8 channels and 2 frequencies
-Full colour digital display, batteries or mains operated
Pro's
- You can select the monitor to 'tic' constantly, if it stops ticking, baby has stopped moving and off goes the alarm. I found it very reassuring, and very soothing.
- The temperature is show on the screen, you can set an alarm to go off it's too hot or too cold
- Easy to change frequency, as I found out when classical music starting booming through it and scared me half to death
- super long battery life. I charge this at night, it lasts a 2 hour nap in am, a nap in pm, then about 4 hours in the evening until I recharge it.
- the nightlight is just enough for a dimly lit feed.
- It has a good range, I used to sit in the garden and it worked perfectly well.
- volume control
- easy to chose settings from sound/movement/ticking or all three
Con's
- the only negative I have is you can't have it constantly on audio, the only setting is to pick up noise, so my mum hates it, when I was little she could hear me breathing over the monitor, this is silent until a noise is made. This only became noticeable to me when I turned the SensorPad off, it went from constantly ticking to silence. However I'm used to it now.
- it is a bit complicated, that's only because it has so many different settings, I did have the instruction manual out for a fair few weeks.
- this is only really if you're forgetful but if you pick the baby up out of the cot without putting the monitor on hold the alarm goes off. Thats not really a con as its only doing its job, it's just a bit annoying!
- no two way talk back, not that I see why you'd need that but competitors have it.
- no lullabies.
The cheapest I can find it at the moment is £79.46 on amazon. In my opinion it is worth every penny if you want/need that reassurance. There is also a video version of this monitor.
Mel x
Thursday 21 June 2012
Funnier than I thought.
Last Friday I decided to enter the Early Learning Centres freebiefriday competition on twitter. Their question was what, what is the funniest children's joke. I just so happened to win! I've never won anything, I was quite excited!
I'm not very funny, I don't find many things funny either! However I do like a good dad joke. So without further a do.....What do you call cheese that doesn't belong to you? Nacho cheese!! Yeah, I know you're laughing too.
I love it, always makes me giggle!
So Finns prize arrived this morning, they must have some inner intelligence on me as they sent Floating Magnetic Bath Buddies. I'm sure my water baby will absolutely love them, he spends ages in the bath.
So thanks again Early Learning Centre!
Much love, the funniest girl on the planet x
I'm not very funny, I don't find many things funny either! However I do like a good dad joke. So without further a do.....What do you call cheese that doesn't belong to you? Nacho cheese!! Yeah, I know you're laughing too.
I love it, always makes me giggle!
So Finns prize arrived this morning, they must have some inner intelligence on me as they sent Floating Magnetic Bath Buddies. I'm sure my water baby will absolutely love them, he spends ages in the bath.
So thanks again Early Learning Centre!
Much love, the funniest girl on the planet x
Tuesday 19 June 2012
A fluffy birthday bum
For Finn's birthday party we decided on a nautical theme, and no birthday party would be complete without a matching nappy!
I put my name down for a Peach Pear Plum nappy back in February and only very narrowly got a slot for May.
I decided on a border cut with a cute little boat on the front, blue poppers
and, obviously, a 1 on the back. I'm totally in love with it, it's a good job all their slots are taken as I'd love another.
Needless to say however, it was on for half an hour before he poo'd in it!
Mel x
I put my name down for a Peach Pear Plum nappy back in February and only very narrowly got a slot for May.
I decided on a border cut with a cute little boat on the front, blue poppers
and, obviously, a 1 on the back. I'm totally in love with it, it's a good job all their slots are taken as I'd love another.
Needless to say however, it was on for half an hour before he poo'd in it!
Mel x
Monday 18 June 2012
Blw "essentials"
To be honest, if you doing baby led weaning you need nothing more than a willing baby, a careful eye with salt and an ability to cope with mess.
However there are a few things, equipment wise, that may make your life a bit easier! After discussing this with a few mums on a blw group on Facebook, the list below may help a newbie bl-weaner!
Highchair with removable tray so they can sit up at the table, very popular is the Ikea Antilop highchair for the bargain price of about £15. I have the Mamas and Papas Pixi highchair which I love. I also used a bumbo in the early days too.
Muslins, for the floor to catch mess in restaurants, to tie round your babies neck when you've forgotten a bib, there uses are endless!
Oxo good grips mini dustpan and brush set, I'm yet to buy one but I think I might as Finn creates lots of crumbs, and you can pick them up for £5 odd from amazon. A lot of mums have this under the pushchair for post restaurant clean up too.
You don't 'need' any cook books per sae but if your diet isn't as fabulous as it should be and you need some meal ideas, then My Daddy Cook by Nick Coffer is fabulous, as is the BLW Cookbook, and my old faithful would be the Rivercottage child and todder cook book, I love it and have made many things out of it which Finn enjoys.
Freezer bags and tubs come in handy to freeze left overs.
I like coverall bibs with sleeves which I push up a little so they don't get covered in food, i also find they cover his legs slightly which helps with the mess, sleeveless bibs are popular too though, I have a SkipHop one which turns into its own little pouch which is great.
Summer Infant TinyDiner portable placemat. I found this a godsend in the early days, as I didn't use plates to start off with, still don't actually, so I can put Finns food on here and pull him up the table. It's fab in restaurants too as many of them have those wooden highchairs without a tray, so to avoid flying plates I pop is food on this. It has lip to catch food too, which the whole thing rolls up and tucks into. I love it.
Right must give Finn his staple lunch of Eggy Bread, I'll post about some "essential" blw foods soon.
I'm not sure how this post is going to come out as this is my first time using Blogpress from my iPad so I will apologise in advance!
Mel x
However there are a few things, equipment wise, that may make your life a bit easier! After discussing this with a few mums on a blw group on Facebook, the list below may help a newbie bl-weaner!
Highchair with removable tray so they can sit up at the table, very popular is the Ikea Antilop highchair for the bargain price of about £15. I have the Mamas and Papas Pixi highchair which I love. I also used a bumbo in the early days too.
Muslins, for the floor to catch mess in restaurants, to tie round your babies neck when you've forgotten a bib, there uses are endless!
Oxo good grips mini dustpan and brush set, I'm yet to buy one but I think I might as Finn creates lots of crumbs, and you can pick them up for £5 odd from amazon. A lot of mums have this under the pushchair for post restaurant clean up too.
You don't 'need' any cook books per sae but if your diet isn't as fabulous as it should be and you need some meal ideas, then My Daddy Cook by Nick Coffer is fabulous, as is the BLW Cookbook, and my old faithful would be the Rivercottage child and todder cook book, I love it and have made many things out of it which Finn enjoys.
Freezer bags and tubs come in handy to freeze left overs.
I like coverall bibs with sleeves which I push up a little so they don't get covered in food, i also find they cover his legs slightly which helps with the mess, sleeveless bibs are popular too though, I have a SkipHop one which turns into its own little pouch which is great.
Summer Infant TinyDiner portable placemat. I found this a godsend in the early days, as I didn't use plates to start off with, still don't actually, so I can put Finns food on here and pull him up the table. It's fab in restaurants too as many of them have those wooden highchairs without a tray, so to avoid flying plates I pop is food on this. It has lip to catch food too, which the whole thing rolls up and tucks into. I love it.
Right must give Finn his staple lunch of Eggy Bread, I'll post about some "essential" blw foods soon.
I'm not sure how this post is going to come out as this is my first time using Blogpress from my iPad so I will apologise in advance!
Mel x
Thursday 14 June 2012
I want to walk the streets that I know
It's at time like this I question whether it was worth moving 200 miles away from every thing I've known for 23 years.
This is the four night running that Ryan will have missed putting Finn to bed, he will be off tomorrow but working all day Saturday, and typically, working fathers day until very late.
I still haven't made any friends here, I still don't know where things are or what there is to do.
I'm craving a coffee with a friend, a night out with a group of girls, a roast dinner at my mums. I need a cocktail!
It's hard. God it's hard. Apparently it will get better. Some days I don't mind the not knowing anyone and not knowing where I can take Finn. Today it is getting to me.
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