Mummy blog

1st October 2019

Being a toddler is thirsty work!

Otis was very kindly gifted this fab new cup from @twistshakebaby to try out and we both think it’s great.

I like it because I think the colour is brilliant, but also it is dishwasher safe (yes!) and leakproof which means I don’t mind if Otis has it in his ball pit! I also think it’s fab that it is BPA free and the straw is protected by the hygienic lid. 💙

Otis loves it because it’s easy for him to open and close (without using his teeth like he does with some other cups!)

I think we may need to order some more because it’s one of the largest cups we have as it holds up to 360ml and nowadays Otis is drinking more and more and often emptying his cups before I can find somewhere to refill them. Plus they come in 7 lovely colours to choose from.

If you’d like to order one you can get a 20% discount with the code “otislittlepea”

1st October 2019

I recently discovered @pinkblushmaternity clothing and my goodness I am so glad I did! I was so fed up of all the dark and boring themes to maternity fashion so when they #gifted me this beautiful dress to try out, I was so grateful. Wearing this dress I felt like a million dollars. Not only is it beautiful, but it is beyond comfortable, super soft and full lined inside too. I chose this dress because like a lot of their dresses, it has a wrap-over style bust so I will be able to breastfeed in it too once baby arrives! Thank you @shoppinkblush for making sure maternity fashion doesn’t have to be drab and boring!

21st September 2019

Lazy Saturday evenings are currently for baby name picking! Seriously, every time I think we are finally starting to agree on some, apparently one of us has to change our mind! 🙈 please post name suggestions (male and female) below!!!! 🙏🏼

At least I get to chill in style though with these compression socks from @fitlegseverydaylife 💗 how funky are they?! Not only do they look awesome and feel fab, but they’re great for improving blood flow and preventing tired, swollen and aching legs. Aching legs is something I suffer with in pregnancy so I’m really grateful to have these socks to hand. I just know that on our flight to Dubai everyone will be so jealous of my awesome socks as I’m walking up and down the plane! 

19th September 2019

HOSPITAL BAG 

I can’t quite believe I am now 24 weeks pregnant. Honestly, where is the time going? Being pregnant this time round has been so different because time is just moving too quickly.

As the weeks fly by, I get more and more worried about the “To Do” list I have that doesn’t seem to be shrinking. Top of that list is: pack my hospital bag! I’ve been putting off writing my packing list because I’ve just seen it to be such an overwhelming job and I couldn’t bring myself to think about it too much. And of course this time I have a toddler in tow which means less time to sit in peace and plan ahead! Then I discovered @_motherbe and they have truly saved me! Their service provides you with a pre-packed hospital bag full of the absolute essentials for both you and your new baby. These goodies arrive in a hard-shell suitcase and include the following:

For Baby:

*2 vests

*2 sleepsuits

*2 muslin cloths

*a hand towel

*a pack of nappies

*a pack of wet wipes

*a soft toy

*a hat

*a bib

For Mummy:

*a drawstring bag to hold a change of clothes *a box of maternity pads

*a box of breast pads

*flip-flops

*a “baby on board” badge

*a toiletry bag containing:

*a bamboo toothbrush

*toothpaste

*shampoo and conditioner

*shower gel

*deodorant

*facial wash

*moisturiser

*a flannel

*a brush and hairband 

I know for a fact there are things here that I would have forgotten about by myself, or forgotten to grab on the way out of the door: like my hairbrush or toothbrush! @_motherbe really does take the stress out of getting baby ready and helps give you that extra support and attention where you really need it.

I would recommend this service and these products included to anyone: wether you’re having a hospital birth, birth centre birth or a home birth (like me!) Either way this hospital bag is essential to getting ready for labour! I feel so much more prepared already 😊

10th September 2019

FIRST AID ⛑

Who else has a toddler that is completely and recklessly fearless? Honestly Otis is now at the stage where he runs far more than he walks and it’s a nightmare because he doesn’t yet have the balance or hazard awareness to protect himself! Hands up if you have a clumsy toddler too 🙋🏻‍♀️

Well this useful bundle from @safeandsound_health couldn’t have come at a better time. We collected it from the post office on the same morning that Otis had a fall on his way to football practice. Such fall resulted in a cut knee and a bit of blood so we were pleased to have these first aid essentials on hand. Otis chose the blue plaster for his knee from the box of waterproof plasters that come in 5 different bright colours. He then washed his hand with the antibacterial hand gel. These fab products are now part of our changing bag essentials and will be going on our travels and many days out with us.

9th September 2019

**Let’s talk to Mummy’s tummy**

#collab We are to excited to be able to review this new book from @helenlacey_author 💙 I was blown away when it first arrived and I had a quick peak, it’s just wonderful. It’s written entirely at the level which is easy for young children to understand.

Otis and I read some of the book together last night and he enjoyed putting in some of the stickers too. As a mother expecting my second baby, I have been anxious about how Otis will take to his new role of Big Brother and and how to get him to engage with the pregnancy journey more. This book is a lifeline. It asks Otis a lot of questions; not just about the baby, but about himself now and as a baby too. This is fantastic because he is then able to relate to the pregnancy more. We used his old scan and newborn photos as well as the scan photos of the baby as we read along and he was able to understand and talk about the similarities and recognise body parts of the baby. The book gave Otis little tasks to do such as giving mummy’s tummy a hug, sing to the baby and also wiggling eyebrows and making a funny face like the baby now can!

The book focuses on each week from weeks 12 onwards and talks about the baby’s development for that week with a growing drawing of the baby.

I would recommend this book to anyone expecting another child. Because of its interactive elements, it is the perfect way to help a child to understand pregnancy as well as what to expect when baby arrives too. I feel like this book is really helping Otis to bond with Littlest Pea and I can’t wait for Tuesdays so I can read the next weekly update with him!