Pregnancy & Birth UK vs USA: The Birth

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my experiences of antenatal care in both the UK and the USA. Today I will be talking about

The Birth

Meet The Midwife With Cussons

Last week myself and a few bloggers enjoyed a lovely afternoon at PZ Cussons HQ. It was a special day for the brand and one special lady in particular, Kerry Evans, who is their chosen midwife to receive the financial support of £60,000 to enable her to undertake a PhD, starting this month. Working with the Royal College of Midwives and Wellbeing of Women, the sponsorship is the first of its kind to enable research for a PhD whilst allowing the midwife to continue working in the field.

Pregnancy & Birth USA Vs UK: Antenatal

Some of you may be aware that Miss H was actually born in America and is technically an American citizen. We were living out there for Mr H's work, and it is there that I began blogging. I have been wanting to share my thoughts on my experience of having her out there compared to Little J's birth in the UK for a while now, and I have finally got around to getting these thoughts down.

A Right Royal Giveaway

So last week it was announced that the Duchess of Cambridge was expecting baby number two. Of course I was excited to hear the news and so decided to have a little celebration here.

Reflex: The Newest Addition To The Silver Cross Family

Silver Cross are one of the top British brands around. Established in 1877 it is safe to say they are a part of our history and heritage! After being around for over 125 years you can be safe in the knowledge that they know their stuff and you are buying into a quality brand.

Top Tips for Baby Weaning

Weaning a baby can be one of the most daunting stages of their development. Until now all they're had is their milk, and once you've mastered them latching on and winding them it's pretty straight forward. But then they grow and they need more to sustain them and we move onto weaning.

The Night The Dummy Fairy Came To Visit

Holly has always been attached been attached to her dummies, right from being born, so I expected that when the day came for her to give them up it would be a battle. I had in my head that I really wanted them gone by the time she was three, but as that day loomed closer and closer I got a little anxious as she was still just as attached, if not more so.

Bugaboo Launch The Buffalo

The ultimate buggy brand, Bugaboo, have recently launched their latest product - the Buffalo. A few of us were invited along to Adorable Tots in the House of Fraser, Manchester, for a demonstration along with every event requirement - cake!

How To Manage With an 18 Month Age Gap

As we gasped at the positive pregnancy test in front of us, Mr H and I had mixed reactions. Amazement - it had taken four years of trying before Holly arrived. Happiness. And dare I say trepidation? At the time Holly was only nine months old and still completely reliant on us. She still had bottles, was only just weaning, still in nappies, still slept in a cot. She was still a baby.

The Baby & Toddler Show Manchester 2013

Have you been to The Baby & Toddler Show before? I haven't been have always heard what a fantastic event it is! The Manchester Baby Show this year is being held at Eventcity, at the Trafford Centre, on 27-29th September, and I am going to be there with bells on! There are so many amazing brands that will be there, to name a few:

Cosatto - a brand with a massive personality and a huge Hollybobbs favourite

Kiddy - who have designed those innovative carseats with the Impact Shield

Bugaboo - a yummy mummy's dream and one I would love to know more about

SnuggleBundl - the creators of the amazing carry blanket, if only I'd have known of them after my c-sections

Puddleducks - who I really wish I'd taken my two to from the start, as I want to get them used to water.

Chicco - popular choice for baby items in our house, we've had a highchair, walker and many toys from them



The Babyworld website include some top tips for making the most of your day at the show, here are a few of my own:

• If you are bringing a little one with you, plan your journey around nap/feed times. You don't want to be trying to find the best deal and chatting to brands whilst your little one is screaming for a feed, so try and work this into naptimes. 
• The nearest place for food is at the Trafford Centre food court, just across the road. Be prepared to leave them event when you need food and give yourself time to get there just before lunchtime when it will be packed out with shoppers.
• If you can be there at the end of the show, you are more likely to find a good deal. Brands often don't want to be transporting bulky products home and you can often negotiate a bargain.
• Save £10 on your ticket by using the code WF18 here, kindly provided by the people at The Baby Show.
• Have a great day!

Superheroes For A Day with Cosatto!

How the staff at Cosatto get anything done is beyond me! A bright building with everything from the phone announcing your arrival, the stairs as you enter to the toilet roll in bright wacky colours - it's no wonder their brand is so fun and colourful!

A group of bloggers and press were invited to spend a lovely afternoon in Wonderland with the lovely staff there to view their AW/13 ranges as well as explore a world of giant (and very fast) slides, green grass and superhero baby stuff!

The Last of the Baby Days - A First Birthday

As I write my baby boy is toddling around the house. He took his first steps only ten days ago but with every day he gains confidence. He is a toddler.

Baby J is Ten Months Old

Today Baby J turns ten months old. I can't believe in two tiny months my little man will turn one - a whole year old! This last twelve months have gone by so unbelievably quickly it really doesn't seem almost a year ago I was getting ready to go into hospital. Having two children taking up our time definitely makes the minutes go on fast forward!

Me & My Shadow

Lately we seem to be going to the park quite a bit! Most times J sleeps soundly so H gets some mummy time and we can both go on the swings and slides together. At one stage the slide was her favourite, but lately she loves mummy and H swinging side by side together, or mummy giving her a 'big push'!

One day last week, whilst my mum and dad were at an appointment, we walked to their local park and had a quick swing. Baby J was awake so he joined H on the swings and loved being pushed next to her, his smile was a picture!

Although it was bitterly cold, the sun did keep coming out to say hello so I showed H where her shadow was and how she could move it about. She loved watching it dance as she swung her legs and arms about and then chased it around the park.

When the sun went in we learnt about how our shadows only come out to play when the sun comes out, she was most upset when it went bye bye!

The weather may be terrible but we are going crazy being stuck in all day so I am trying my best to get out as much as I can. I want to make the most of these days, I am becoming increasingly aware that they don't last long - soon I will have a toddler and a pre-schooler, the baby days long gone.

To My Babies

Dear Little H & Baby J

It has been two years and two months since between you, you first changed our lives. Those 40 hours, which seemed so long at the time, now seem such a long time ago. A time when we were not mummy and daddy, but just us, preparing ourselves for our new roles. Back then we were living in California, in a three bedroom apartment and a long way from home. That time in America gave us a chance to enjoy our time together alone and get to know each other that little bit more as well as confirmed for us how happy we were with our lives at home in England. It also changed us in one significant way - it brought you to us.

We had been waiting four long years for you, Baby Girl. We had even come to think that you weren't meant to be ours and were starting to prepare ourselves to never be parents. It turns out you were there all along, biding your time and waiting until we were ready to be the best the parents we could be. Waiting for the time when we were at our happiest, strongest and most stable. Before then I don't think we were ready, and you knew this, so gave us time.

What you brought us was the happiest of moments. You were such a good baby, slept well, fed well and had the cheeriest of manners. You filled our hearts with your sunny nature and despite the terrible twos, this has never changed. You charm everyone with your beautiful, sunny nature. My favourite time of day is snuggling next to you and singing your favourites - 'Twinkle Twinkle', 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' and 'How Much Is That Doggy' - as I tuck you in.

As we sailed along as a threesome, you had other ideas, Little Man. You were a cheeky surprise that we were thrilled to discover. After only nine months since the arrival of your big sister, and two months after we returned home to England, you decided to shake things up. And that cheekiness can be seen every day - in your smile, the way you sneak up on your big sister as she plays (much to her discernment) and the way you giggle when we play peekaboo. That dimple-filled smile peering over your cot on a morning is hard to resist. You made our family truly complete.

So here's a little note to you my babies. To let you know how precious you are to us. How you fill every day with wonder. And how we wouldn't be us without you. I promise every day to tell you I love you, to make sure you are secure and happy and keep a little piece of you in my heart with every step I take.

All our love, darlings, now and forever.

Mummy & Daddy


Ewan the Dream Sheep Review

Two weeks ago I would have announced despairingly: Baby J hates his cot. Back then, as soon as he saw it he would scream his head off. I tried everything: stroking his head, a blankie, a nightlight. Nothing would stop the screaming when I place him in the cot I lovingly tried to make a calm place for him to rest his head. In came Ewan.

Time

Time is running away with me

Seems like yesterday you came to be

As I laid there in that hospital bed

And grasped your fingers, kissed your head

Time is running away from me

I swear its minutes since two became three

The seasons change and the wind blows wild

But my heart beats for yours, my darling child

Time is running away from me

As we extend our family tree

When those big blue eyes look up to mine

I fear for the day you no longer rely

I feel like time is slipping away

My heart stumbles with each new day

As you grow and learn to one day fly

Oh how time can pass you by

 

 

Baby J is Six Months Old!

I can't believe how the time has gone by! Six months ago and I had just given birth to my beautiful baby boy and then the fun began! There has been many a challenge to face and having two under two has definitely been interesting, but our family is now complete and we are gradually starting to settle in.

Baby J & Friends

Whilst I was pregnant with Baby J, I become friends with quite a few mummies-to-be who were due at a very similar time to me. I found it great to compare pregnancies, birth stories and now watch our little ones as they develop. As they are all turning, or have turned, three months I thought I would share a little update on all our bubbas.

My Week That Was - Sneezes and Sniffles

A very late post this week! Yet another week has gone by and it's time for my update. I hope people aren't too bored of reading about our weeks, but I'm finding it a great record of the year and am really glad I joined in Katie's linky at Mummy Daddy & Me! So here is our Week That Was...