tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86082823286825299192024-03-15T18:10:17.254-07:00She Who Mums Winsshewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-28999158902990022812019-02-20T14:23:00.001-08:002019-02-20T14:23:37.784-08:00Life update, only took 8 months!
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I can’t quite believe it has been 8 months since I last wrote a blog post! I still have lots to say but general life stuff has happened and the time has flown by extremely quickly, I’m hoping this post is going to break the dam and my posts will become more regular again.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So what’s been happening?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Work is great and I’m loving my new Director role and everything that comes with it, people often ask me what I like about my job and it has been the same answer for 8 years, every day at Spindogs is different, I work with great colleagues and clients and every day brings with it new ideas, new knowledge and new challenges. No day is the same and for that I am thankful and it helps keep the missing Rosie at bay!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rose is thriving! The last 8 months has brought with it more energy, more words, more demands, more potty training and more adventures. When I hear Rose laugh my heart sings, and watching her sense of humour develop has been incredible, she has a very loud laugh, just like her parents, and still manages to be endlessly cheerful despite mixed amounts of sleep.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Don’t get me wrong, we get lots of strops and screams of ‘No!’ with a very dramatic foot stamp (anyone who has seen me bowling may notice a similarity…) but they’re usually short lived and we are slowly reaching the realms of negotiation. I’m still completely shattered from the constant changes in sleep and she is pretty heavy to carry these days, and we have had an A&E trip and a few tears at nursery again recently but generally we can’t complain. That seems like such a shockingly short summary of life with a 2.5 year old but it has gone by in a blur and I can’t really remember much more now I am putting fingers to keys!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Potty training went well, we started earlier than I would have liked as Rose was super keen, she is with her cousin a few days a week who is several months older and seeing her getting to use the toilet and wear knickers was too exciting for her and she started asking to go for a wee all the time (ALL the time), but we did crack it. Then things went awry at Christmas, lots of change in routine and excitement led to regular accidents and so I made the decision quite quickly to put her back in nappies and Rose didn’t make any fuss. Then in the new year when everything went back to normal we brought out the potty and the knickers and Rose has been brilliant, it was very different second time around with Rose not telling us when she needed to go - whereas the first time she said she needed to go all the time - but it only took a couple of weeks for things to settle down and, fingers crossed, all is well in that department. I should probably add that we didn’t follow any particular method, I kept meaning to read a book or some blogs but in the end we just went with the flow. The accidents can be really frustrating, especially when they’re in the car! But all in all it’s not very long and definitely short term pain for long term gain! We’re still using pull ups at night time and aren't worrying about her being dry through the night for now. I’ve just remembered that I did get the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1409302199/ref=asc_df_140930219958587320/?tag=googshopuk-21&creative=22110&creativeASIN=1409302199&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310871971371&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4185174708003722670&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007451&hvtargid=aud-543776533562:pla-464285013306&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Princess Polly Potty Book</a> and stickers and they were a big hit in the early days and kept Rose on the loo for longer than 3 seconds! <br />
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We moved house! This may be a surprise to some as it happened very quickly and wasn’t a decision that initially had a huge amount of forethought. You know us, we decide to do something and that’s it, we’re very impatient and we just go for it. We started looking at houses all over Cardiff online and saw two that couldn't have been more different and at either ends of the city that caught our fancy. We put an offer in on the one and then put our house on the market and sold it within the week. Knowing how much work we had put in to the last house it may not come as a surprise that it wasn’t finished when we accepted the offer, new windows went in before the sale completed and although it didn’t seem great at the time a delay on our move date did mean we got to enjoy the windows for a couple of months!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">At first I didn't miss the old house at all, getting used to the new commute, new house and new sounds (nature is loud!), and making sure Rose was settled resulted in me barely having time to think about it. Then Christmas arrived and Kelvin had been the most incredible Christmas house with the high ceilings and a giant tree and that did make me pine a little (no pun intended!. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We have moved to a house that couldn't be more different than the last 2, it is only 10 years old and quite modern, but thankfully has a few interesting features. The main impetus for the move was a bigger garden and we now have a lovely big lawn for Rose to play outside and Maggie is loving it. Slight drama on move day when we actually lost the cat and she didn’t move with us (there were a lot of tears and rattling of food/shouting in to the dark) but we were reunited the next day and all is well. Turns out Mags is a country cat, the first day I let her out she went straight up to a tree and started trying to climb it and I nearly dropped my cuppa in shock! Everyone has seen a change in her and it has been wonderful to witness, including more confidence around Rose as well, the two are becoming firm friends!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This house doesn’t need any major work and is a fairly blank canvas, it’s been very weird moving and not having anything urgent to sort out and just settle in and decide what we want to do. Despite coming from a period property to a modern house most of our furniture has fit in remarkably well and doesn’t look out of place. A lot of our artwork / pictures / photo frames were chosen for specific places in the last house so that has been a bit more tricky but every weekend something new makes it on to a wall.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We have a drive and a garage (woohoo!) so Liam is happy and it means anything not unpacked can’t be seen which is a big plus. We invested in getting built in storage at the last house but even that didn’t stop it feeling like everything we owned was on display constantly. It wasn’t a small house but with the fireplaces in every room it did limit furniture choices in some cases and so storage wasn’t always great.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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The move also meant that I knew I could delay putting off thinking about pre-school, but now we’re a bit further out the logistics of schools, the nursery and work have proved challenging to consider and so rather than forcing a decision quickly that may cause us problems we have decided to keep Rose in nursery rather than preschool from September and this gives us time to think about the best way we can make everything work.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So what’s next? We’re off to Center Parcs next month so you can expect a post about that shortly as I had so many great suggestions from friends last year about how to make the most of your trip and I still want to share all of those.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In terms of the house, there is one wall of wallpaper in the entire house (pretty much every other wall is white) and so the wallpaper needs to go and I’m trying to decide on a colour, I’m planning on doing it myself this time as the decorator we have used for years and years is unavailable at the moment. Liam has his head in his hands at the prospect but I’m determined to get rid of the wallpaper ASAP. The next room to sort out after that is the spare room. It needs a blind or curtains ASAP as we’re using temporary black out blinds when people stay at the moment, and it’s a lovely room that needs an injection of personality.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Long term the plan is to update the bathrooms so that is what I am mostly pinning at the moment. I need some new inspiration for interior accounts to follow on Insta that are more modern / self build properties so if you have any suggestions please send them my way!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hope this was of some interest and wishing you all a wonderful start to Spring!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-45624538782530199512018-05-28T13:04:00.004-07:002018-05-28T13:06:59.057-07:00Holidays with a toddler and how IKOS resorts saved the day! <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've now been back from Greece for just over a week and I am still pining for <a href="http://ikosresorts.com/resorts/ikos-oceania/" target="_blank">IKOS Oceania</a>! This post is going to have a little about holidaying with a toddler, a little about IKOS resorts and a little about my holiday outfits, hopefully some or all of that will be of interest! Be warned - my photos don't do it justice! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We booked our holiday to Halkidiki back in September/October as I was desperate to have a holiday in the diary, and I was super keen on this resort last year but didn't fancy the 5.55am Gatwick flight with a 9 month old, but this year was feeling much braver! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />We booked with <a href="https://expert.kuoni.co.uk/kuoni-stores/kuoni-at-john-lewis-cardiff" target="_blank">Kuoni</a>, this is now the 4th holiday we have booked with them and we have never looked back. We know they are going to make the process of choosing and booking a holiday really easy and fun and we also know that when we get there the resort is going to be amazing. Kuoni also take care of everything, private transfers, car seats, travel cots, excursion bookings - EVERYTHING! They are also really competitive when you compare to other agents and what you get for your money, we highly, highly recommend that you check them out (if you're Cardiff side ask for Adele). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back to the holiday, I was so ready to go, the cases were packed, the passports in hand and Rose was actually great at all of the travelling bar take off and landing. I now know why they have their own seat at 2- it's because they can reach everything they're not supposed to! Rose is 22 months old and so was on my lap and was obsessed with the window shade and tray table and when she wasn't allowed to touch them during take off and landing I had to wrestle her kicking and screaming and got head-butt in the face I don't know how many times. Snacks and the iPad definitely helped. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This aside, we arrived at IKOS Oceania (30 mins from the airport) and all travel stresses melted away instantly. We were met from our car, luggage whisked away, and taken to a bar with incredible sea views and handed a glass of chilled sparkling wine whilst we checked in. As we were quite early in the day our room wasn't ready and so we went straight to the a la carte Greek restaurant for lunch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy mummy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had underestimated the size of the resort, it was huge, several pools, 4 a la carte restaurants, the main hotel with reception, bars, a club and the buffet restaurant (saying buffet doesn't do it justice), and the spa, creche etc. Everything was beautifully designed and pure luxury, the atmosphere was very chilled and nothing seemed too much trouble. I gave in and booked a facial on the last day and it was pricey but worth it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stepping back a sec, the resort is all inclusive, and I mean ALL inclusive, products, mini bar (including wine and spirits), all drinks, snacks and meals, towels at the beach, towels at the pool, and they don't scrimp on anything. It was quite a bump coming home! The one thing I would recommend is booking the a la carte restaurants in advance, they are all great and two of them offer breakfast and lunch which you don't need to book for, but if you haven't booked in advance for the evening meals you may struggle to get in. The food everywhere is brilliant. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite the resort being full of kids under 5 it was still extremely calm, there is plenty of space and entertainment available to them and the team there are fantastic with children, Rose had the time of her life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everywhere is also exceptionally clean and there are baby change stations in both the women and men's toilets. In the restaurants the baby change is in the disabled loo, again spacious and very clean. Plastic cutlery and cups are provided everywhere, folded within a cloth napkin which I thought was adorable! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For us, it was hard work, relaxing and wonderful, but hard work. Rose is desperate to explore every minute that she's awake and so we spent much of the week saying 'your turn' so that we could alternately get some R&R. The hardest part was mealtimes as Rose didn't want to eat anything but chips, when she is usually a brilliant eater at home, but it sounds like this is the same for everyone and things were much better towards the end of the week. With all of the fresh air and pool time Rose had a great 2-3 hour nap every day - this is AMAZING!!! Liam likes the shade so was happy to sit on the balcony whilst she napped and I could happily bake by the pool with my books, it was perfect! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Things for kids - outdoor play area, play room (huge), creche, toddler disco, babysitting service, help on the beach, shallow pools, you don't need to take buckets and spades these are all provided on the beach. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ98XD3iS1Ns5579uBBaJOMwgmc7V_P617skiwqqW0V4CSAog0i494B46Vv4SHpyjutD0SJOwVIVD0q26RnpbKlM9wi6io963MfM-jAozVYvafYfOZg0qliMLDsMxrdtZLyqy7JQrDfQ/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ98XD3iS1Ns5579uBBaJOMwgmc7V_P617skiwqqW0V4CSAog0i494B46Vv4SHpyjutD0SJOwVIVD0q26RnpbKlM9wi6io963MfM-jAozVYvafYfOZg0qliMLDsMxrdtZLyqy7JQrDfQ/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Things for adults - wine! Adult only sections of restaurants, adult only pools, club, the entertainment all starts pretty late, a lot of water sports, gym and Spa.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqYIY2hDEf0BvPvWOKLdGfDaay53EsJ8NwfDPXJW06KFMkCPrCsRgqdFwcgGR7lOTJPTgr2CHBW9QTwyZqMPqH5ez9p7-xzFXFrpbn1E_O14OIUXHV0ZKO9etH3KqK411cxxkNrRBMQc/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqYIY2hDEf0BvPvWOKLdGfDaay53EsJ8NwfDPXJW06KFMkCPrCsRgqdFwcgGR7lOTJPTgr2CHBW9QTwyZqMPqH5ez9p7-xzFXFrpbn1E_O14OIUXHV0ZKO9etH3KqK411cxxkNrRBMQc/s320/IMG_1396.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib47caBd-24OV_CwBGiZZF-aZMh2BW-1SlMqdsGbAcUWdtAPlQGJegK9U6SxaFnbntmeeVfAUutRpdrW6f7YtNH49IEKMaUaK7fF51YSq6xrFIZWdCou2jlNef_mfpyrIX_IcFw6MfNMA/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib47caBd-24OV_CwBGiZZF-aZMh2BW-1SlMqdsGbAcUWdtAPlQGJegK9U6SxaFnbntmeeVfAUutRpdrW6f7YtNH49IEKMaUaK7fF51YSq6xrFIZWdCou2jlNef_mfpyrIX_IcFw6MfNMA/s320/IMG_1428.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsVrfkWOvLz0Rcqx3pHno9KsKR-JPG0QrhtR6rMj4aL9GGahTGsiZozddGKhwqGGQ3toE6WA_omXp90ljJQmCcuiEel7BhW8SD0Shv138zNWzQekjZIAXc86DFwVT84L92ghUFvz2KMs/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsVrfkWOvLz0Rcqx3pHno9KsKR-JPG0QrhtR6rMj4aL9GGahTGsiZozddGKhwqGGQ3toE6WA_omXp90ljJQmCcuiEel7BhW8SD0Shv138zNWzQekjZIAXc86DFwVT84L92ghUFvz2KMs/s320/IMG_1429.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BT0jha42pu934XrSctxq_e-c-GcHMTiZHL834PHKENF8Kw8E5aR-mLKJW3aof82ly5MsmfXv69MwCrDxnOZXutAfFF4v6x21w9cPIlSRsD5HvBR2tP93ddieE9WMAOFKzh4jZBzmsZA/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BT0jha42pu934XrSctxq_e-c-GcHMTiZHL834PHKENF8Kw8E5aR-mLKJW3aof82ly5MsmfXv69MwCrDxnOZXutAfFF4v6x21w9cPIlSRsD5HvBR2tP93ddieE9WMAOFKzh4jZBzmsZA/s320/IMG_1430.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">View from the french restaurant ^</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVshmK3NmzhsQLKH1QsLtRTPyldIsA1hlOtKRVaju7ei5aGOq7X-8rrZBFm6ELYGKD4_CEKZK4Mpy2h324XhDIwUXCaiujawcZ6EY9Pyx0M_IFYWfXFV575HueOIeAjaV1i17tYu9P46M/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVshmK3NmzhsQLKH1QsLtRTPyldIsA1hlOtKRVaju7ei5aGOq7X-8rrZBFm6ELYGKD4_CEKZK4Mpy2h324XhDIwUXCaiujawcZ6EY9Pyx0M_IFYWfXFV575HueOIeAjaV1i17tYu9P46M/s320/IMG_1539.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a sea view bar the other side of the doors you can see in the above pic and one evening we were in there they had live music.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJTtmgVSlvNZ5KBZwxUq_fVRMP77SfiRA9LSg3pNT_NhnVuvPs3Oi90NzlFU3X7dYMD5tJDb2OIy_0vhGSj-nxHSp8CMO24C5ml6eA5UPLkhOg2QToFS8mqNz4cadtPKUO8eEBMGnZJE/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJTtmgVSlvNZ5KBZwxUq_fVRMP77SfiRA9LSg3pNT_NhnVuvPs3Oi90NzlFU3X7dYMD5tJDb2OIy_0vhGSj-nxHSp8CMO24C5ml6eA5UPLkhOg2QToFS8mqNz4cadtPKUO8eEBMGnZJE/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Yvp3oNjvpquwmOqrJHNdZ_4K0NMExIKOCOaqatomq8iYr9OU80By8J6Dk0FHEh_DF-U0xE-mvUEA1UdiQetCa0B3TrlR_ms_6O8Thx8bj5x8D1NajrD15kFqw_78B2KNIb9HnDszA9E/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Yvp3oNjvpquwmOqrJHNdZ_4K0NMExIKOCOaqatomq8iYr9OU80By8J6Dk0FHEh_DF-U0xE-mvUEA1UdiQetCa0B3TrlR_ms_6O8Thx8bj5x8D1NajrD15kFqw_78B2KNIb9HnDszA9E/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a shop on site that sells anything you may have forgotten, our main purchase was a blow up barbie boat!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVf-1WF-NYLfFeDqivcAkjt9OYwCjsW-AfhyphenhyphenG4V-d6iSZzdSOgLUG1lp0Wl6Bwt1VH8j0y0nffdE1HrtBlKnrNVVa7vzCJ0CWsb1y6olcDp4OBhCHnxMDY9lG91GD08FySZWjCiRQpSw/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVf-1WF-NYLfFeDqivcAkjt9OYwCjsW-AfhyphenhyphenG4V-d6iSZzdSOgLUG1lp0Wl6Bwt1VH8j0y0nffdE1HrtBlKnrNVVa7vzCJ0CWsb1y6olcDp4OBhCHnxMDY9lG91GD08FySZWjCiRQpSw/s320/IMG_1455.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The weather forecast before we went was a lot of rain and thunderstorms with intermittent sunshine but the weather was amazing all week, the last couple of days were boiling so I think May is definitely the right time for us. I had panicked when I saw the forecast and threw in some last minute cardigans, none of which were needed. It was a pair of shorts and t shirt every day and a jumpsuit every eve, perfect for chasing a small person around the beach and from room to room! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_KbQ1jWHaKg2UHvqB1v3VPtNkeXGezesCY5kaVpeHjVrFNlvj45LsjGWevd0UrmbR0188DWY9clj0zOvBVEu828ZJoVhpomWBobhDFpJPfE8EVDxI-ZI9NfAvTW6mg6JVXUTVVoQtPY/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_KbQ1jWHaKg2UHvqB1v3VPtNkeXGezesCY5kaVpeHjVrFNlvj45LsjGWevd0UrmbR0188DWY9clj0zOvBVEu828ZJoVhpomWBobhDFpJPfE8EVDxI-ZI9NfAvTW6mg6JVXUTVVoQtPY/s320/IMG_1355.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Old ASOS jumpsuit, Bikini current ASOS (£20), Sunnies Prada </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yXDNfWFkP1XvFa70DiQu5zeyukga6qUox6R2VOLo6jjOhTyQuO0ntjceySJdrhbAQk_FfhM6YY13EOT81rrSMBEEw_oQpgKrEC3wKdlkxxTePayWbo3pLxvZuFv1osy2POc9BoiYYpY/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yXDNfWFkP1XvFa70DiQu5zeyukga6qUox6R2VOLo6jjOhTyQuO0ntjceySJdrhbAQk_FfhM6YY13EOT81rrSMBEEw_oQpgKrEC3wKdlkxxTePayWbo3pLxvZuFv1osy2POc9BoiYYpY/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jumpsuit (£13) and earrings (£1.56) both current eBay</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshZQQwjnCuOgb8d4lmwFb5FSaPgurbgPnKZR2Qxa7eRZj24lRT1KRNpm9J4Ho0OJx7RWDAx420as9MLJidZMXzUFgenrJrKxItLSyXWl17myXImOf9JwfO5JRCSnTkl3leE5b6hlivgk/s1600/IMG_1465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshZQQwjnCuOgb8d4lmwFb5FSaPgurbgPnKZR2Qxa7eRZj24lRT1KRNpm9J4Ho0OJx7RWDAx420as9MLJidZMXzUFgenrJrKxItLSyXWl17myXImOf9JwfO5JRCSnTkl3leE5b6hlivgk/s320/IMG_1465.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Playsuit old ASOS but never worn until this holiday</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wXWN0Fph_mXpOxv7PJvJjDSRXNwfVpAvNnB9L55OZHLnW_s8nNEz0i-qavZAo2nEwyVhPZsOshoK5xk_dku5Zb2WBdsTvBvbWXmknw7XmXha-AvWN49gHgExqgKXyDq2W296fCYJxcY/s1600/IMG_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wXWN0Fph_mXpOxv7PJvJjDSRXNwfVpAvNnB9L55OZHLnW_s8nNEz0i-qavZAo2nEwyVhPZsOshoK5xk_dku5Zb2WBdsTvBvbWXmknw7XmXha-AvWN49gHgExqgKXyDq2W296fCYJxcY/s320/IMG_1570.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Floral Jumpsuit, this season ASOS £35</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> T Shirt Fmlystore.com, shorts current Tesco £12, sunnies current ASOS £12</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Green and black leaf jumpsuit current season Primark - £13 (everything Liam wore on the holiday was probably Joules or Next).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All in all, a fantastic week and much needed break. Even with the 3 hour flight delay coming home we still came back feeling rested and happy and I would definitely stay at an IKOS resort again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It isn't the same as holidaying pre children but when you see their little faces light up at the sight of the sea, and their Barbie blow up boat, and an all inclusive buffet you know it's totally worth it!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any questions on the resort just let me know! </span><br />
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shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-49049687817063902772018-04-12T15:25:00.000-07:002018-04-12T15:25:42.870-07:00Spring Summer Shoe Edit<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Sh, sh, sh shoe people"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Does anyone else remember this theme tune or am I showing my age? I LOVED that show! </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That's besides the point as this post is about spring / summer shoes. I know it’s early, and the weather isn't great, but I’m off on holiday soon so have been getting my ducks in a row and I have also found that if I see a good shoe at a good price and don't get them quick they often sell out, so here’s my edit of the sandals I think should be on your wish list if you need something simple, comfortable and stylish this season.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Leather weave sandals</b> - <a href="http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-juna-leather-summer-shoes/prd/8611839?clr=metallicleather&SearchQuery=juna%20summer%20shoe&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=1&gridsize=4&pge=1&pgesize=72&totalstyles=4" target="_blank">ASOS £20</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I lived in a pair of these when I was pregnant and because they were leather they quickly stretched and became unwearable the summer after so I was pleased to find these which are a little tight but still comfortable, so I feel they can take a bit of wear and tear and will still fit. I wasn't sure about the metallic at first as you can’t tell there are three different colours online but I’ve decided to stop buying everything in tan and embrace the shiny!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="s1"></span>Also available in tan and wide fit.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Smart sliders for work</b> - <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0581103001.html" target="_blank">H&M £12.99</a> (available in two other shades)</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Really comfortable and I risked wearing them this week and it did rain and they are still in one piece, I love pointed shoes and you don't see them on the high street that often so snapped them up. They also come in Pink and an off white.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Casual sliders for the beach</b> - Primark £4<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I went for the frills, again the complete opposite of what I would usually buy but having Rose has definitely made me start choosing more feminine things for myself!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Smart casual</b> - <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0581162001.html" target="_blank">H&M £12.99</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I love this faux suede material that H&M use and get a pair in whatever style they have every year. I like these as I think they are smarter without the t bar and can be worn with pretty much anything.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Need them in your wardrobe</b> - <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/elastic-sandals/p/p60155943?extid=ps_gglpla_Women_1062307620_57565811252&s_kwcid=AL!2750!3!251703834679!!!g!297414535428!__EFKW__&device=c&cvosrc=ppc%20shopping.google.Women%20%3E%20Shoes%20%26%20Boots%20%3E%20Sandals%20%3E%20Flat%20Sandals&cvo_pid=57565811252&s_kwcid=AL!2750!3!251703834679!!!g!!__EFKW__&gclid=CNmd3q6_stoCFYiAhQodfycOcw&gclsrc=ds&pdpredirect" target="_blank">M&S £15<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Remember the M&S silver sandals I had last year and wore every day?! They’re back!! I haven't bought this years yet as I wanted to get mine down from the loft and see what state they were in first. My only reservation this year is that they have a glitter band across the front which I worry could be scratchy, but if it’s not BUY BUY BUY. Easily the most comfortable and convenient shoe I have ever bought, and an incredible bargain at £15! These are available in silver and black.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">That's it for now and I really shouldn't buy any more shoes as Liam's head may explode despite all of the new storage solutions! These are all I should need this summer as I've already got some trusty flip flops and wedges from previous years, tan leather of course! ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">That said, if I was feeling like I wanted to treat myself these yellow sliders from <a href="https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/shoes-flat-sandals/buckle-flat-sandals_23017024.html?c=15&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20-%20GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzujDnMGy2gIVybvtCh1H5gxvEAQYAyABEgKlWPD_BwE" target="_blank">Mango</a> would be top of my list!! </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have two other posts in draft which are a bit more deep and meaningful and so I haven't been ready to post yet. Looking back through my posts the most popular based on reads are the clothes heavy ones and the posts about tricky motherhood times, if you are happy to share what you would like to read more of please write in the comments or send me a DM, thanks!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-91257123564178474672018-01-16T12:53:00.001-08:002018-01-16T12:53:28.355-08:00Surviving the 18 month sleep regression (just!)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, this post will not make your baby sleep through the night or solve all of your sleep regression problems, but I hope that it will help you feel like you're not alone and suggest ways to settle your baby, so the awake times are as calm as they can be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2017 was the year that launched one hundred milestones, and it was a triumph of wonderful and magical chaos as we embarked on our first full year of parenthood. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had first solids, first holiday, first haircut, first steps and first overnight away from each other, and of course Rose's first birthday! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was wonderful and we navigated the unchartered waters with a mixture of fear and excitement, surviving by taking each day at a time, including my first day back at work! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So now we are nearing the 18 month mark and parenthood is starting to get really fun, we can play chase, try and have little garbled conversations, Rose has a wicked sense of humour and so there are a lot of laughs and she continues to LOVE food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But we all know it's no picnic, and right now we are hopefully (please universe!!!) very very <i>very</i> slowly coming out the other side of the epic 18 month sleep regression. The only reason I think we might be coming out of the other side is because it is not as hellish, however, it could be that we are just getting used to it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They call it the 18 month regression but it can happen any time from 15 months. We had a tricky time around 15 months but it was massively eased by the Sleepyhead Grande, we had one when Rose was born and we swore by it and eventually caved and bought the larger one and saw an immediate improvement. This lasted about 6 or 7 weeks (wonderful sleep filled weeks!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have googled this so many times in the last couple of weeks in the hope of finding a light at the end of the tunnel and now I have had more than one hour of sleep in one stretch I am passing on some of the advice I have read or been given. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I say, this is not over for us yet, but I thought now was the time to share, as it's a reminder of anything I have forgotten in my sleep deprived state if nothing else! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things weren't great across the Christmas break but I thought that was down to staying away from home and separation anxiety as Rose wasn't used to having both of us around 24/7; her sleep was unsettled and she didn't go to bed as easily but nothing compared to the scale we're at now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With that in mind, I blame Storm Eleanor for this entirely! It all really kicked off the night she blew in to town and nothing in life has been quite the same since. We are co-sleeping every night for most of it, Rose and I in the spare room so Liam can get some semblance of a night's sleep; it started off with her coming in to our room after the 2nd or 3rd wake up but no one was getting any sleep so we needed a new plan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It isn't just the regular wakes ups either, bedtime has gone out the window and for a week we were lucky if we got her to sleep before 11pm, so that's starting the bedtime routine with a bath at 6ish and still trying to get her to sleep 5 hours later, for her to go to sleep and wake up again at 1am. We're now down to any time between 9 and 10pm, which is an improvement! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not going to lie, it's fairly soul destroying and there have been tears on all sides, as well as pleas, negotiations, cajoling, persuading, none of which works on an 18 month old who doesn't want to go to sleep! There were times in the middle of the night where I was begging Rose to go to sleep and she was laughing!!! They have no idea what they put us through! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No matter how hard it gets you keep going, and if you are in the middle of sleep regression pain right now remember - it's just a phase, it's just a phase, it's just a phase...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The internet tells me this is Rose learning to exert her will and discovering that she has control over something. Why did it have to be sleep?!?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So moaning aside, what have we tried? Below are things that friends have shared or suggested, I haven't tried them all but thought they were worth sharing as obviously it's not a one size fits all situation:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Try and stick to your guns so that bad habits don't creep in... I feel like this is one of the worst pieces of advice that I have read on every article I have seen online re sleep regression at 18 months. Are you having a laugh?! You want me to pretend that everything is completely normal and not attempt to make things better when my baby has been screaming for hours, we are all shattered (and now hungry again as we've been awake so long)?! This seems crazy to me and hats off to anyone who has been through this and managed to keep to their controlled crying / sleep training / whatever else is normal for your sleep situation on plan. We didn't have a method, we had a baby who went to sleep at 7pm and so our normal is now a very distant memory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I digress, back to the more helpful suggestions:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lay in a dark room and rub their back in rhythmic circular motions </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Download the audiobook 'The rabbit who wants to fall asleep' (this sent me to sleep!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a sippy cup of water ready to calm baby down during the screaming spells </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't go in the room until you are ABSOLUTELY sure they are asleep when they do finally fall asleep (I've learned the hard way)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make up the spare bed just in case - at some point one of you needs to sleep</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Try merino wool bedding / bed clothes as it helps control their temperature, which may be contributing to the issue </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leave a lamp on and put some books and soft toys in the cot and it may keep them calm enough to settle </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sleep when they sleep, no matter what time it is, everything else can wait </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Try baby massage after bath to keep the bedtime routine really calm - use lavender products where possible </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It could be teething, have all of your teething remedies at the ready </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sit down and work out what has worked for you before and make sure you are doing all of those things! </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've read a few things re the last meal of the day and some people say to make this a large one and some say offer a larger meal at lunchtime instead, I'm sticking with the former but you should do whatever you think is right for your toddler. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I say, these are not going to change things dramatically and we are still in the midst of this ourselves, but many of the above have given us an hour to sleep, 20 minutes to eat, time to call friends and family and ask for advice! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although I will be so happy when this regression is over I am happy for now that we have moved on from the constant screaming for hours on end and hourly wake ups all night (hoping last night was a blip!). We are now at a point where we have a fight to get Rose to sleep but it is a calmer one, it is slowly getting earlier, and we have an hour or twos sleep in a row through the night, definitely progress! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the grand scheme of things this hasn't even been happening for that long but in our sleep deprived fog I feel like this has been going on for a really long time and need it to stop as soon as possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sending lots of love and good sleep wishes to all of you going through a sleep regression, at any age, it is tough and we are all expected to remain fully functioning - that's a big ask! We're all in this together so don't be afraid to ask for help or just feel you can say 'I'm finding this really hard', a problem shared is a problem halved and remember - 'it's just a phase'! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-18370762664344009932018-01-09T02:52:00.000-08:002018-01-09T02:52:11.291-08:00Last picks of the January Sales <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having spent much of the last week awake, whilst our darling 17 month old is going through a sleep regression of mammoth proportions, I decided to make myself useful and see if there are any last minute bargains in the sales that we should all keep an eye on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've looked both for workwear and for summer wear, as if you have a holiday booked I would recommend that you pick up a few things now whilst they are cheap rather than paying full price the week of your holiday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You all know that I am quite tight and don't like paying full price for anything and so sales time is my happy time, I have to say that I haven't had a huge amount of success this time around but that is probably a good thing as it is saying me some cash! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are all high street and all available online in a variety of sizes as of today (9/1/18)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ASOS </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-mix-match-tailored-culotte/prd/8604849?clr=red&SearchQuery=red%20cullottes&gridcolumn=3&gridrow=1&gridsize=4&pge=1&pgesize=72&totalstyles=15" target="_blank">Red culottes - £10 </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu6TYY9aedL2r1y4hmkc0g_M6ATkiQrjrl8MO9cdg8QtzBkKDPF1VzTJKRtso4wwsTdVhJys4StwILB5YMTLWCQ5vNIrd8jnLRYKNhRVC82trhqT6FsMjvas-0y5A0xu26Ji0Z0BHhR0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.23.32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="326" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu6TYY9aedL2r1y4hmkc0g_M6ATkiQrjrl8MO9cdg8QtzBkKDPF1VzTJKRtso4wwsTdVhJys4StwILB5YMTLWCQ5vNIrd8jnLRYKNhRVC82trhqT6FsMjvas-0y5A0xu26Ji0Z0BHhR0/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.23.32.png" width="161" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bought these and I love them! Thinking I will pair them with a blue breton or my new white and black Winging it top from <a href="https://www.thefmlystore.com/collections/sale" target="_blank">FMLY Store</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.asos.com/asos/asos-crepe-column-dress-with-drape-shoulder-batwing-sleeves/prd/8569692?clr=oxblood&SearchQuery=&cid=5235&gridcolumn=1&gridrow=8&gridsize=4&pge=1&pgesize=72&totalstyles=343" target="_blank">Column Dress - £14</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcsuZpz6lO8YkohJJplfDm-CVrHBTSKFtKPA94l8oYJygTSMXUrAsbPkopY4k33bMtMhAP_hyphenhyphenzlaPMWhKpmqh3ijzda3PsHbfoId7a3N4HDvV1_gj7ma7I53x-g0UBmd6Bo1EhpDw7aw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.26.11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcsuZpz6lO8YkohJJplfDm-CVrHBTSKFtKPA94l8oYJygTSMXUrAsbPkopY4k33bMtMhAP_hyphenhyphenzlaPMWhKpmqh3ijzda3PsHbfoId7a3N4HDvV1_gj7ma7I53x-g0UBmd6Bo1EhpDw7aw/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.26.11.png" width="160" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loving the colour 'oxblood' at the moment! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JOULES </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.joules.com/Women/Tops/Harbour/Jersey-Top/Ruby-Stripe?id=X_HARBOUR|RUBYSTP" target="_blank">Harbour top - £17.95</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6T_Fv9akqUEo8HDExQCrs0_FdVdu8aSOd_8xxmPyxaA907_syiZ3Eo7YPr17DCV7OdulpTUhpUUeZ_LWEtKOT9FwGzBbC91oONemWIgcnNE0XcomV1pYsgPytkpwZV6yigSH9_Q0M8Sw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.28.40.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6T_Fv9akqUEo8HDExQCrs0_FdVdu8aSOd_8xxmPyxaA907_syiZ3Eo7YPr17DCV7OdulpTUhpUUeZ_LWEtKOT9FwGzBbC91oONemWIgcnNE0XcomV1pYsgPytkpwZV6yigSH9_Q0M8Sw/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.28.40.png" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is available in lots of different colours and sizes, we probably all have one of these in our wardrobe and they definitely come in handy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.joules.com/Women/All-Womens-Footwear/Flipadrille/Summer-Shoes/Yellow-Stripe?id=W_FLIPADRILLE|YELSTRP" target="_blank">Espadrilles -12.95 </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKtnd6r7TGdeoe5uECTZ3QiUKXEeIMxrPlx2u9gzsCs4QyfYkEFaCzuVAvft85-oj9r0VjuO0W2Up4F_BATtBcbwxz3wX01l8Twpe515kQH3aGjwNlZX3g8ItX_zAePtAZf4ytMGMFfo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.33.11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="389" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKtnd6r7TGdeoe5uECTZ3QiUKXEeIMxrPlx2u9gzsCs4QyfYkEFaCzuVAvft85-oj9r0VjuO0W2Up4F_BATtBcbwxz3wX01l8Twpe515kQH3aGjwNlZX3g8ItX_zAePtAZf4ytMGMFfo/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.33.11.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WHITE COMPANY </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thewhitecompany.com/Hem-Detail-T-Shirt/p/HDCTE?swatch=Pale+Blue+Marl" target="_blank">Pale blue marl peplum top - £19.60</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJBQ808dnXxCkwyVYTG8HuqoU6s_oEDPQ1WVaSq6OWdnykrhVS_54ov9R0kopypNG40VbVqX-QrWuFwNjQBzacPfVIp_rIBjfbEPlykjcDFeEt0EPRM-DRvekOL7HHSRdQ8jHdm_bEuE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.37.57.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="262" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJBQ808dnXxCkwyVYTG8HuqoU6s_oEDPQ1WVaSq6OWdnykrhVS_54ov9R0kopypNG40VbVqX-QrWuFwNjQBzacPfVIp_rIBjfbEPlykjcDFeEt0EPRM-DRvekOL7HHSRdQ8jHdm_bEuE/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.37.57.png" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thewhitecompany.com/Cotton-Short-Sleeve-Stripe-Jumper/p/CSCJR?swatch=Porcelain" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thewhitecompany.com/Cotton-Short-Sleeve-Stripe-Jumper/p/CSCJR?swatch=Porcelain" target="_blank">Cotton short sleeve breton jumper - £27.60</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeGf9jQOu4nBdpoKUZtoO9YAEGiq85AnKTFceyj2wpiI9slp6cK_Pvicm5gCaEsdAAHcPtN9RI33TwBYVAJuUz0gWxK3h5ROmaHwoExHIX8Hs_nZQLzjw0tElVJh2HaessR6s4X51l3k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.38.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeGf9jQOu4nBdpoKUZtoO9YAEGiq85AnKTFceyj2wpiI9slp6cK_Pvicm5gCaEsdAAHcPtN9RI33TwBYVAJuUz0gWxK3h5ROmaHwoExHIX8Hs_nZQLzjw0tElVJh2HaessR6s4X51l3k/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.38.58.png" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ZARA </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/tropical-print-jumpsuit-p02492151.html?v1=4712067&v2=436513" target="_blank">Tropical print jumpsuit - £15.99</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFCldiHMS9WOysymI2z39Ox7ldf2i5_KEeDvdRSbXA-Azw4mleRegagSkKFyCxJgZ2VP5SVxOrZcZHFqmQTlD6KBbgPCvZb6ByijcqVG5boEUfQls2y29GlV0hlrfNdvAPQ1eCdUH2TA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.42.26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="251" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFCldiHMS9WOysymI2z39Ox7ldf2i5_KEeDvdRSbXA-Azw4mleRegagSkKFyCxJgZ2VP5SVxOrZcZHFqmQTlD6KBbgPCvZb6ByijcqVG5boEUfQls2y29GlV0hlrfNdvAPQ1eCdUH2TA/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.42.26.png" width="166" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/high-collar-jumpsuit-p01165253.html?v1=5246515&v2=436513" target="_blank">High collar jumpsuit - £15.99</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp99zfMmlz_fd1SQQtZ3JZarWqyIJkdLYTthOk4DW7lVCxsO1LdyfUeRk2KX7DnwTUAv65oovIea-M0xNRP1_HaTa7y3hhpUKmwKlp_RvtlJ_brJ9MTQwHP710mmsEHZ0CuJuKUs371Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.43.16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtp99zfMmlz_fd1SQQtZ3JZarWqyIJkdLYTthOk4DW7lVCxsO1LdyfUeRk2KX7DnwTUAv65oovIea-M0xNRP1_HaTa7y3hhpUKmwKlp_RvtlJ_brJ9MTQwHP710mmsEHZ0CuJuKUs371Y/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.43.16.png" width="241" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't bought this one yet and don't know that I will be able to resist! I'm always moaning that I don't have any warm winter jumpsuits! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.zara.com/uk/en/flowing-crossover-jumpsuit-p00085279.html?v1=5116002&v2=436513" target="_blank">Crossover jumpsuit - £9.99!!</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeINKM4UOJOQl9z-TbXXRczZPosMRNxLTD-rhkTLZz1fhNztjhlF-yx8fJDu7d6sv-ky5JdV04u3Kk0Z66K81wkubrIdtQP61VLDpn4XVfuhelOpKRCnQGB-sNylS3iuoJI8mpuIua2YM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.45.20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeINKM4UOJOQl9z-TbXXRczZPosMRNxLTD-rhkTLZz1fhNztjhlF-yx8fJDu7d6sv-ky5JdV04u3Kk0Z66K81wkubrIdtQP61VLDpn4XVfuhelOpKRCnQGB-sNylS3iuoJI8mpuIua2YM/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.45.20.png" width="167" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not in the sale but <a href="http://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/blue-stripe-organic-cotton-mix-3-4-sleeve-t-shirt/p/559554549?extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_5595610_CR_184442496473_DV_c&tmcampid=155&tmad=c&tmplaceref=UK_PPC_PLA_5595610_CR_184442496473_DV_c&CAWELAID=120310300001101274&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=46107754292&CATCI=pla-379592749904&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7dHSBRDEARIsAJhAHwiA73ot9YOsOQRDH0rIYpbsYynVL1EdenZiVjH1acn-FRgPzICY5DgaAh2ZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">New Look</a> have their stripe 3/4 sleeve tops back in stock and so I have ordered two as they are fantastic staples. £8.99 and available in blue, red or green stripe. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/blue-stripe-organic-cotton-mix-3-4-sleeve-t-shirt/p/559554549?extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_5595610_CR_184442496473_DV_c&tmcampid=155&tmad=c&tmplaceref=UK_PPC_PLA_5595610_CR_184442496473_DV_c&CAWELAID=120310300001101274&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=46107754292&CATCI=pla-379592749904&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7dHSBRDEARIsAJhAHwiA73ot9YOsOQRDH0rIYpbsYynVL1EdenZiVjH1acn-FRgPzICY5DgaAh2ZEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="377" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRKSnFLs7_biuzrrIV0mJ9P6wJX2iwHMH4BKJM-lzx7pstW68tR49zBVq1K8reGVa5pT6hme-5mGK-rXy5yyhJiBxJNWXgL5Jc49q_b29L-Me7j5DggMnRo7U8DVDzVt_QQffy791QgE/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-01-09+at+10.47.10.png" width="274" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't listed any sale items for the little ones, but I have stocked up on 18-24 and 2-3 from Mothercare, Mamas and Papas and Zara, all of which cross winter, spring and summer. There are some serious bargains to be had with some tops in Mothercare reduced to £2. Lots more in store than online.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have seen any brilliant sales finds and want to share them please add to the comments! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy shopping!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, for those of your doing no spend January I salute you! One day I'll do it! </span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-17699911336185830082017-10-24T15:05:00.000-07:002017-10-24T15:05:24.514-07:00Always look on the bright side of life Holy smokes, I thought I had no time for myself before but now I am back at work time seems to evaporate before my very eyes! I am definitely guilty of being a miserable so and so this month as the days have gotten darker and every item I have online shopped this month hasn't fit so I am determined to make this post more of a gratitude journal and only focus on the good stuff, and definitely not mention that Rose has sleep regressed, has had hand foot and mouth, Liam worked away for a week and the bloody cat has started peeing everywhere again.<br />
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Having got in to a bit of a rut I am going to use this post to give a shout out to a few things (and people) that have made me very happy in the last few weeks.<br />
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I read the new Lucy Dillon book - All I Ever Wanted, if you haven't read any of Lucy's books I highly recommend them as they are a tonic, you can read more about Lucy, her books and reviews over on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucy-Dillon/e/B0034NXN8Q" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. They are along the lines of JoJo Moyes and Katie Fforde if you have ready any of their books. I genuinely don't know when I read this book, the days of it only taking 4 or 5 hours are long gone and now a book can take me weeks, but somehow I found the time and it was 100% worth it. Next up is My not so Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BEOrWJc6aDwV5YJsnCrdLu-UUxt0aTyEK-mhnyMZgVCNThx3CO9nhUhMvma3kmhUh61fAPW209pwwtQ4L2K4GB7ajWwSWeD-VdSFQb9B8-nhldsg1iPcamBXYO3OHgPDCO2rWvDgxK0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-10-24+at+22.46.47.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="226" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BEOrWJc6aDwV5YJsnCrdLu-UUxt0aTyEK-mhnyMZgVCNThx3CO9nhUhMvma3kmhUh61fAPW209pwwtQ4L2K4GB7ajWwSWeD-VdSFQb9B8-nhldsg1iPcamBXYO3OHgPDCO2rWvDgxK0/s200/Screen+Shot+2017-10-24+at+22.46.47.png" width="130" /></a></div>
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I tried a charcoal face mask... and loved it! It was a <a href="http://www.boots.com/7th-Heaven-Montagne-Jeunesse-Charcoal-peel-off-mask-10ml-sachet-10237773" target="_blank">Montagne Jeunesse</a> mask, peel off and from Boots for £1! My skin feels super soft and I feel my pores are genuinely less visible, and I think they could be seen from space prior to the mask so will definitely be investing in more!<br />
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My mum made me have a bath before Rose had hers and I read and had a cup of tea; if you had told me before that I could have had a bath at 5.45pm I would have laughed and said no way, but we made it happen and I would definitely do it again! I was in my PJ's by 6.10pm feeling very relaxed and there was no impact on Rose's routine. Thanks Mum for the <a href="http://www.boots.com/sanctuary-spa-luxury-bath-float--10229092?cm_mmc=bmm-_-Google+Boots+PLAs-_-BAU-_-C=%28GB%3AWhoop%21%29+Boots+Shopping+-+All+Other+Products+v2_%28GB%3AWhoop%21%29+Sanctuary+Spa&gclid=Cj0KCQjwybvPBRDBARIsAA7T2kjG7spQIeCPoR53xItM8CluBTpYCYwhht865mrkrwrR3qFkw1pxT4waAh8YEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Sanctuary</a> bubble bath, it is incredible!<br />
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I also went to see '<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1653665/" target="_blank">Goodbye Christopher Robin</a>' at the cinema with my sister - I had no idea Christopher Robin was A.A.Milne's son and the film was a lot less cheerful than we were anticipating, but nonetheless it is a great film and I would recommend, a brilliant cast and a lot of wikipediaing to be done afterwards. Really beautifully shot, I had a sudden urge to visit 100 acre wood and walk in the sunshine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmBQAvvpv5XrEbA5jNiaYW5u4qeoIFg_hHeyfA2Dv1mJRA_soxzSQCDVT-9HdtCesG7g_p86nMfLf2zvG4Uo8nHsWOVce5UtcFwnOYyB6fFDZReHwDId6BtZJw-90z0_CGwo7Hy2GhZg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-10-24+at+22.49.56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="453" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmBQAvvpv5XrEbA5jNiaYW5u4qeoIFg_hHeyfA2Dv1mJRA_soxzSQCDVT-9HdtCesG7g_p86nMfLf2zvG4Uo8nHsWOVce5UtcFwnOYyB6fFDZReHwDId6BtZJw-90z0_CGwo7Hy2GhZg/s200/Screen+Shot+2017-10-24+at+22.49.56.png" width="136" /></a></div>
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Last but not least I had a wonderful day with my long time friend Alex who came to Cardiff to visit and we ate and drank and talked none stop for 9 hours!! It was just what I needed to be able to concentrate completely on catching up, rather than the half finished conversations that trail after you when a child is in tow. It was such a good day and we genuinely talked non stop to the point where neither of us took a photo! So here's a throwback!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrcY3nCkHfXzNQLSYSjowcoKGdMUJvBlMBCEeqZn9ediXTDJXTgVs0Qy4fXn3Mf7yYD2Xn0tlWSmKgcijuNR1Sqgj7caRDhiGpafu8IuehUA_9z1v7hCr-jtql-JWSvhxpb7ObjadofA/s1600/999276_10152230742048000_1872049638_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="960" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrcY3nCkHfXzNQLSYSjowcoKGdMUJvBlMBCEeqZn9ediXTDJXTgVs0Qy4fXn3Mf7yYD2Xn0tlWSmKgcijuNR1Sqgj7caRDhiGpafu8IuehUA_9z1v7hCr-jtql-JWSvhxpb7ObjadofA/s320/999276_10152230742048000_1872049638_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As always Rose has brought me unending joy, no matter what each day brings she is the sunshine to my day and I will never stop being grateful to have her in my life. Sometimes I get quite teary wondering if she will every understand how badly she was wanted and wished for and just how much we love her. Being a mum is the hardest job out there but one I wouldn't give up for a second.<br />
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On a complete tangent, I really need new jeans! I bought new ones post pregnancy and now that Rose is 15 months old I am ready to go down a size but have I been able to get any new jeans to fit?? Not a sausage! I bought a pair from Zara a couple of months ago that were a bit of a squeeze at the time and are now perfect, my plan was to buy another pair the same and in another colour if possible but I have now tried numerous Zara stores and online and cannot buy the same ones - cue angry HULK face.<br />
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The beloved jeans:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwryXdNTsnzIxv-892thpTFOkSVyxM8Qq9URvONj8f2-VOpxh48q40wG-Uyqng3jpE_CmCXQoAOVrErFTxkV5B8HL1GJA8BqPxxO2pyfZybe2b3ft5JazEgcdqhrKReOYFox5PBSAuC_k/s1600/IMG_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwryXdNTsnzIxv-892thpTFOkSVyxM8Qq9URvONj8f2-VOpxh48q40wG-Uyqng3jpE_CmCXQoAOVrErFTxkV5B8HL1GJA8BqPxxO2pyfZybe2b3ft5JazEgcdqhrKReOYFox5PBSAuC_k/s200/IMG_2516.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Not to be perturbed I bought jeans from Shein, Zara ones from eBay, tried Topshop, Marks and Spencer etc etc and all with no success. I don't know if I have completely changed shape or if I should be trying a totally different style of jeans these days, but my patience for trying them on is waring thin, as is Rosie's, I'm sure some of you know the joy of having a baby in a pushchair in the changing room whilst you struggle in to something with limbs flailing out of the curtain, all whilst trying to get enough signal to put Peppa Pig on YouTube.<br />
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Therefore this is a plea to you all to tell me where the best place to buy jeans is, I am looking for a dark soft denim, skinny jean with a lot of elasticity, I have no idea on the waist line (mid/high etc) but would like a 30# leg.<br />
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Rose will be pleased with the current state of affairs as by not getting anything to fit me I have satisfied any impulse purchase urges by buying her new clothes! GAP have 40% off sale at McArthur Glen which I highly recommend you check out - we're talking t shirts for £2 and baby jumpsuits for £5.99!<br />
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<a href="http://www.gap.co.uk/browse/category.do?cid=60868&departmentRedirect=true&mlink=99477,14278602,TD_EU_DP_LNC&clink=14278602#department=165" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="1273" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPCe_SRGI9hJf-J-iBzMIVdxw6BeNyydwepGEpMLNM3gs9zydtC4dRyjRxpO_seTRLKQN2-eITzoiqERwPTVwkDVpcvUMP0s-CQoJz_l-KvmDLfCh5StF4nFW8nw3j5SWspPrRBspfi0/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-10-24+at+22.58.29.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Autumn to you all, I hope you enjoy Halloween and Bonfire Night if you celebrate them and hope you are lighting the fires, eating the winter foods and wearing comfy slippers as the nights draw in.shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-48093986764466735232017-08-02T15:16:00.000-07:002017-08-02T15:16:01.202-07:00Empowering women through honesty about breastfeeding <div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; letter-spacing: -0.24px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't realise it was World Breastfeeding Week this week and then a friend shared an article on Facebook that really resonated with me, it can be found here:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/01/pregnant-women-breastfeeding-tough-british-attitudes?CMP=fb_gu" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Don’t infantilise pregnant women. Tell them how tough breastfeeding can be</span></a></h1>
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<span class="content__headline content__headline--byline" style="background-color: #efefec; color: #333333; display: block; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 2.5rem; margin-top: -2.25rem; padding-bottom: 1.5rem; padding-top: 0px;"><span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span style="color: #e6711b; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; cursor: pointer; touch-action: manipulation;"><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/01/pregnant-women-breastfeeding-tough-british-attitudes?CMP=fb_gu" target="_blank">Lizzy Davies</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wrote much of this blog as a post on my Facebook page and I wanted to share it with you all, and my friends have agreed for some of their subsequent comments to be included. I didn't ever think I would become someone determined to speak up about breastfeeding on such a regular basis but I was genuinely shocked by how different it was to how I thought it was going to be and I want my friends to feel they can ask questions and feel 'ready' if it is something they want to do, I don't want them to feel as blindsided as I did at the time! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">In my opinion the Guardian article is brilliant. </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">I loved breastfeeding Rosie and I would definitely recommend it, on the flip side it is the hardest thing I have ever done! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">I completely agree that we should be more honest with mums to be regarding breastfeeding, as it will be much more empowering and they will prepare themselves for the challenge. One of the hardest feelings as a new mum is feeling like you aren't doing something right and it is important that everyone knows these things don't 'just happen'; you and your baby have never done it before and like all things in life practise makes perfect. (I wrote a blog along these lines in the early days which can be found here - goo.gl/pKN9xm)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's also not going to work for everyone and it's important people prepare themselves for that and understand that it's 100% ok if you change your mind, and your baby will be happy and fed whichever route you choose. I don't think this is covered very well during pregnancy, you are asked which way you want to go but no one mentions/ suggests a plan b and I believe this contributes to the 'mum guilt' when things don't go to plan. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emma T struggled through a few weeks of tough breastfeeding times before things started to feel more 'normal' - "I always had the impression with breastfeeding you just lob your boob out and hey presto they'd happily suck away! No one told me about all the difficulties and other options if things don't click in place right away!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emma added "</span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">My advice to anyone is just do what feels natural for you and your baby. (And buy lots of nipple cream!)</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"> " I totally agree with this advice!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my case a friend suggested I take a small bottle of newborn formula in my hospital bag if I was worried, so that I had options, I did breastfeed from the start but I'm a planner and I personally found comfort in knowing that I had prepared for every eventuality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breastfeeding can be a minefield and I'm pleased to see the conversation move on from focusing purely on the issue of where and on to the realities of what new mothers are going through; feeding your baby is relentless and a huge responsibility whether it is breast or bottle and new mothers need our support to know it's totally normal and ok to find it extremely challenging - you're still being an awesome mummy!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emma B made a really good point:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"it's also important to remember that historically mums would spend a week in hospital learning to feed their little ones (and care for them), society has moved on, and so many of us hope to be home in 6 hours, but breastfeeding is the same as it was before, there have been no 'advances' to keep up with societal change"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">I can remember thinking 'why is everyone else finding it so easy?!' And then one person opens up the conversation with 'this is so bloody hard' and suddenly the gates of honesty open and you can all admit that it is challenging. This doesn't mean you have failed or want to give up, like anything in life we can discuss when the chips are down and seek advice, support and encouragement from our network, for some reason the mum guilt sometimes makes us feel we shouldn't mention it and our brains tell us 'it's just us'. I've said it before and I'll say it again - it's never just you!! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lizzy Davies is right in the Guardian piece in that everything we learn about breastfeeding in advance does imply that it might be easy or straightforward and we cling to that! And it is for some people, but not everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite babies being born every day I feel the topic of breastfeeding is still very rarely discussed and I don't remember it being something I discussed with my mum or Liam's mum in any detail before Rose was born. I briefly discussed it with friends but with the benefit of hindsight I can understand that they may have been reluctant to discuss what it's really like. It's hard to find the balance of being honest but not putting someone off!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my experience breastfeeding was easily the hardest thing I have had to do in my life so far, both physically and emotionally, at the same time it was an amazing experience and 100% worth it, I am so pleased (and also proud of myself for a myriad of reasons) that I stuck with it because it did genuinely get better every day. For anyone reading this who is pregnant or hoping to be pregnant soon please read this post in the spirit with which it is intended and remember - </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We want you to know it won't be easy </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We want you to know sometimes you will definitely want to throw in the towel ('never give up on a bad day')</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We want you to know it will be a challenge (like most new things you try in life)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We want you to know you have options </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We want you to know that no one is judging any decision you make about you and <b style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">your</b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;"> baby</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px;">We want you to know it will get easier </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We want you to know we are here for you </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt Jo's Facebook comment brilliantly summed things up, and I always listen to Jo as she is a constant source of mum inspiration for me - </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; letter-spacing: -0.24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It's like everything parenthood though, you find your own way, what works for you and your baby. And ultimately as long as everyone is happy and has full tummies, you're winning regardless of how they got fed."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Know that if you choose to breastfeed there will be a huge amount of support available to you and you just need to talk about it as much as you need to and every day it will hopefully get a bit easier x</span></div>
shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-13848226248586506772017-06-29T06:52:00.000-07:002017-06-29T06:52:02.726-07:00Returning to work after maternity leave - a capsule wardrobe for under £75<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm heading back to work next week after my 12 months of maternity, I am equal parts nervous, sad and excited! Nervous that I will feel like the new kid, sad that I am leaving Rosie and excited that I will be back doing what I love with my brilliant colleagues and clients. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Personally if I feel like I am wearing the right outfit I feel like I can conquer the world and as absolutely nothing suitable for work from pre pregnancy fits me I have had to invest in some new workwear. I am going back 3 days in the first instance and so I don't need loads, and I need to bear in mind that one day it might be boiling and the next raining! I have purchased a few key pieces from H&M and thought I would go through them with you in case you are looking for inspiration for your return to work wardrobe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I should mention I did hit the Zara sale and tried on so many amazing items but unfortunately none of it fit well enough for me to buy, if you would like me to link any of the Zara workwear pieces in another post please let me know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really wanted the photos in this blog to be of me wearing the clothes but a lack of time this week means nothing has been ironed, put together or posed for! Once I am back at work I will be sure to post photos to Instagram of the combinations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I already had <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0463285025.html#Light blue/Stripe" target="_blank">this shirt</a> in yellow and in my pre mama days I was a big fan of the pale blue stripe blouse (which should come as no surprise to you!) and so I bought the pink and blue stripe. These are an absolute bargain at £8.99 and come in a range of colours. They are very comfortable and so perfect for sitting at a desk all day and can be worn alone, with a vest underneath or with a jumper over the top. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1bbmlXSw8m4NSXmwQYTmBRIg-P8_FNq9jxZhfTUx85yZ07HM2mcB8zdwIIes54y4nirc5zIof1NaDeOtStrX-KT0xq_UofsnUPuypdqXPFRKUL2UCWNIkJHVvqY8Hz9Xt7x1w7T_9cY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.28.50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="353" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1bbmlXSw8m4NSXmwQYTmBRIg-P8_FNq9jxZhfTUx85yZ07HM2mcB8zdwIIes54y4nirc5zIof1NaDeOtStrX-KT0xq_UofsnUPuypdqXPFRKUL2UCWNIkJHVvqY8Hz9Xt7x1w7T_9cY/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.28.50.png" width="275" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuopc5QKrY5LzpQ5R41-OgDZoiocO-kIsPlBlhg4VT0TYu5yJUfDYe9-NGblHHnNSvHNIqYWFkfGdDwzrvJvcH1LcGQSGg_4FmWDvMQ7j8DaLdRUHL8o6M7HSb4TFsIpZ7BDT9u1DXc1E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.29.06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="354" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuopc5QKrY5LzpQ5R41-OgDZoiocO-kIsPlBlhg4VT0TYu5yJUfDYe9-NGblHHnNSvHNIqYWFkfGdDwzrvJvcH1LcGQSGg_4FmWDvMQ7j8DaLdRUHL8o6M7HSb4TFsIpZ7BDT9u1DXc1E/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.29.06.png" title="Pink stripe shirt" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next up are these brilliant<a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0502636005.html#Dark blue" target="_blank"> navy ankle grazers</a>, I wasn't sure at first as you can't wear a belt and they zip up the side but I am really impressed with the fit. These also come in a range of colours and patterns and are only £12.99, you will also need to check out this link - <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0434635012.html#White" target="_blank">cigarette trousers </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqWnhzXwNLSvp6RL2a42DbJE05g1zCFdu1P3g3n1dd2hq_vISHUk_gubFXLL4wOangwValzgA_tmtYZCbBuwPO04NsiN8XFRqu0VEFnSO7ghpn-tMGKsgyvZNN51PQF4hlvwLN8X1rNE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.31.31.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqWnhzXwNLSvp6RL2a42DbJE05g1zCFdu1P3g3n1dd2hq_vISHUk_gubFXLL4wOangwValzgA_tmtYZCbBuwPO04NsiN8XFRqu0VEFnSO7ghpn-tMGKsgyvZNN51PQF4hlvwLN8X1rNE/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.31.31.png" title="navy cigarette trousers" width="187" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0504389004.html#Dark blue/Striped" target="_blank">dress</a> below is another super comfy staple and looks good with flats or heels, it is a super soft material and I think looks the smartest in the navy and white, it comes in grey and pink as well but is not quite as smart in my opinion. £12.99</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz1vfR5b79J0QYwIrSv7NZqVmsWFAukuNnVHIhXWKXMIpVcky_l7NbygfzH5k1pd-Lq1Kyd62LUCuGTdjmtb7vHPgIQv2WkDyqcIRzHYkD0IQmDki_7di-sKGBMmBuB256mJ7KGsbbUc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.34.49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz1vfR5b79J0QYwIrSv7NZqVmsWFAukuNnVHIhXWKXMIpVcky_l7NbygfzH5k1pd-Lq1Kyd62LUCuGTdjmtb7vHPgIQv2WkDyqcIRzHYkD0IQmDki_7di-sKGBMmBuB256mJ7KGsbbUc/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.34.49.png" title="Navy and white stripe dress" width="173" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I would also recommend this <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0536157002.html#Light beige" target="_blank">skirt</a>, I haven't bought it but I thought it would round off the workwear wardrobe if you are a skirt fan and would look good with both of the shirts above.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodsO799UOeXIPKjx9WlR83-0Qi-IzRR-vmuZSeGdkQu0h9Ku2litBcF8_uXE00T0x0O9Nz5xfkpNzZw_r1TabAWqhQ_vFh-ocq41Hugwv2jBQH9myLQL3YHL-_KQC4E38CvU3FgZQ1g8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.38.46.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="287" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodsO799UOeXIPKjx9WlR83-0Qi-IzRR-vmuZSeGdkQu0h9Ku2litBcF8_uXE00T0x0O9Nz5xfkpNzZw_r1TabAWqhQ_vFh-ocq41Hugwv2jBQH9myLQL3YHL-_KQC4E38CvU3FgZQ1g8/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-06-29+at+14.38.46.png" title="Cargo skirt with tie waist" width="163" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hopefully this has shown that you can get a smart, pretty and comfortable return to work wardrobe for under £75, assuming all your shoes still fit! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aside from these clothes I will also be wearing my Topshop Leigh jeans as we can wear smart casual to work, all of which have been bought on eBay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am planning on accessorising with big earrings and statement necklaces as I won't get to wear these on the days I am with Rosie, unless I want to lose an ear lobe! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Any questions or suggestions please let me know! </span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-23390486157621403362017-06-25T15:09:00.003-07:002017-06-25T15:09:38.233-07:00Our first family holiday, travelling with a 9 month old<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has taken me so long to publish this that our holiday was now nearly 2 months ago but I am hoping it is of some help to those of you who still have lovely holidays to look forward to! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1837755840"></span><span id="goog_1837755841"></span>I have to be honest and say when time drew closer to us going on holiday I began getting nervous and thought it may be a really bad idea! What if it was just really hard work?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankfully the day arrived and we were packed and ready to go on time, for some reason we decided to have the house rewired whilst we were away and so that caused a few last minute hitches but by 10am we were in the car with all of our luggage and on our way to Bristol! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rose was 9 and a half months when we went and bum shuffling around the house but not properly on the move and this did make things easier. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below I have outlined what worked for us and what didn't in the hopes it is of some help, anything we bought which made a real difference I have listed at the bottom.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The flights</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We made the decision to fly from Bristol instead of Cardiff because of the flight times, it cost us an extra £50 and half an hour in the car but it meant that both flights were when Rose was due to be awake and refreshed and it made a huge difference to our journeys, it also meant that the end of each flight Rose was due a nap and so slept through the transfers, which was a blessing as often she can get very upset in the car.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also managed to get 3 seats on the way and on the way back (having only paid for 2) which meant Rosie could sit between us and play with her toys and I put my leg across the front of the seat so she couldn't fall off. Apparently on some flights the extra seat can be very cheap and some seats you are more likely to get the third seat than others so it is worth checking with your travel agent.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The food</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Was much easier than I expected, I had taken a few pouches with me in case but it quickly became apparent that Rose was happy to eat the children's meals on offer at restaurants, this was a huge leap from how we had gotten on with solids prior to the holiday and I do think a huge part of this was because we were eating as a family every mealtime, which we rarely do at home. Rose is now a huge fan of an all you can eat breakfast buffet, croissants were a big hit!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did take bibs and plastic cutlery which I would recommend. I also took lots of wet wipes and still managed to run out so just like at home you can never have enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must say as an aside that the high chairs in the restaurants in Menorca put many of the UK ones to shame, they were spotless every time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In terms of water, I boiled water in the room every morning or evening and put it in water bottles and kept them in the mini fridge. I then filled Rosie's cups with this water before we left the hotel room each morning and then if she ran out I topped up with bottled water. I couldn't find a definitive answer on bottled water online and so I made the decision that a small amount over a week would be absolutely fine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One item I went through quite quickly was snacks, as we wanted to delay the time we ate to later than usual so that we could all eat together, the time difference helped but having a small snack for Rose to munch on in the pushchair or high chair definitely helped on occasion, so if you can pack some to keep your little one happy I would definitely recommend this. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The temperature</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We chose to go at the beginning of May as we knew it would be sunny but not too hot, it was actually very hot if you were sunbathing directly in the sunshine and very cool in the shade and the evenings, and so we didn't use many of the dresses and shorts we took for Rose and I, a lot more leggings and cardigans. It was the perfect temperature for Rose to sit in her tent on the beach and us not need to worry about her getting too hot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We bought a few items to protect Rose from the sun and these are listed further down this post.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSiL-Q9vLLLVWzvxtVv5scAWxuFy1Osgjr08wpGcFHtkg5kecvzj8gfvU7LF4nWTSy6Wqwu_xuUo8VXaojujyPbfdax_aAFOhgOyt9eVhSDLBB9sR9pTTnDl5xE7A9pHpNVLlawBoTps/s1600/IMG_5868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSiL-Q9vLLLVWzvxtVv5scAWxuFy1Osgjr08wpGcFHtkg5kecvzj8gfvU7LF4nWTSy6Wqwu_xuUo8VXaojujyPbfdax_aAFOhgOyt9eVhSDLBB9sR9pTTnDl5xE7A9pHpNVLlawBoTps/s320/IMG_5868.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The naps </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was definitely harder to get Rose to go to sleep in the warmer climate but she had enough sleep across the week to keep her happy and seemed to sense everything was quite exciting and was happy to keep going. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not knowing how hot our room would be I took a range of pyjama options, our room had the sun in the evening so got very warm and so she often went to bed in a vest and then if the temp had dropped by her nighttime / morning feed I would put her in to her 1 tog bag. I didn't realise you can get 0.5 tog bags and if I had known this prior I would definitely have taken one. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hotel</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />We stayed at the Melia Cala Galdana (approx half an hour from the airport)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hotel was lovely and very family friendly, it was right on the beach and all restaurants and shops were only a short walk away. It was spotless throughout and we had a travel cot in the room for Rose that was made up beautifully. I was worried about the size of the room and when we got there it wasn't very big, but the only increase in size was if you chose a suite. The main reason the room seemed small was because the bed was absolutely humungous, which worked out well the first two nights when Rose was quite unsettled after her morning feed and would easily fit between us on the bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did pay a little more for a sea view and this was a great decision, it meant that we could sit on the balcony and enjoy the spectacular view once Rose went to bed, which was obviously much earlier than when we would go to bed on holidays pre-baby.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIRmGdrrXGr8Wf5b_iw4c9OV6ZIrDCy37xT1O1gbxlpy4lXAGhHJ8pZOTLFMJ_9w0ErXFZpBOZQYQq8fkILh-k57G4pvk2SxkjY9rmI9CvLs2aDy4juWE0YIiRiJMtMlRdwj6tBlZTzU/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIRmGdrrXGr8Wf5b_iw4c9OV6ZIrDCy37xT1O1gbxlpy4lXAGhHJ8pZOTLFMJ_9w0ErXFZpBOZQYQq8fkILh-k57G4pvk2SxkjY9rmI9CvLs2aDy4juWE0YIiRiJMtMlRdwj6tBlZTzU/s320/IMG_5226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nappies!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took lots of swim nappies and enough regular nappies for a couple of days as friends had assured me you could buy pampers in every shop - and you could! We brought back most of the swim nappies as the temperature of the pool and sea were a bit too cold for Rose, however, a friend had a resort with a heated pool and so it's worth checking this before you go. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The packing</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took washing powder with me (which I was already using day 2!) and so I could have taken less clothes for Rose. Don't get me wrong, I didn't take loads, but just like us she ended up wearing a few items several times once we realised they were ideal for the temperature / convenience and it was good to be able to get food stains out ASAP rather than bringing them back with us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also took the cotbed sheet knowing that Rose had slept in it for 2 nights so I hoped it would bring her some comfort taking a little piece of home with us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a very light packer and so it was frustrating for me taking 2 suitcases (and a buggy) to accommodate the tent, swim ring etc, but it did mean that when we got there I had everything I could possibly need which was quite reassuring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next time I would take less clothes and more washing powder and be prepared to spend £20 on a towel and inflatable when I got to my destination if it meant we only needed one case or one case and a hand luggage case. Remember the room wasn't massive so again it would have been easier with less luggage, although I must say the room was perfectly organised with a lot of hidden storage. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What did we take with us that we couldn't live without?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mothercare.com/tents-playhouses-and-play-centres/uv-sun-tent-/133014.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mothercare.com/tents-playhouses-and-play-centres/uv-sun-tent-/133014.html" target="_blank">The UV tent</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Koo-di-Sleep-Stroller-Cover-Charcoal/dp/B0081SIP0U/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1498428384&sr=1-2&keywords=uv+buggy+cover" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Koo-di-Sleep-Stroller-Cover-Charcoal/dp/B0081SIP0U/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1498428384&sr=1-2&keywords=uv+buggy+cover" target="_blank">The buggy UV cover </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kDXjca0UTYR3Y_7JxLs1n8F8esfaztyJXpXWU8ATT4NS_k3_pFcW00-EEHXRUtbDaZheuMTqiXUa1TZJ-BhDkkALiGmSYDHCgLsCbv4eW6UH64CpgDKixS50ch29rgFXDzKNRxH5qLw/s1600/IMG_5230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kDXjca0UTYR3Y_7JxLs1n8F8esfaztyJXpXWU8ATT4NS_k3_pFcW00-EEHXRUtbDaZheuMTqiXUa1TZJ-BhDkkALiGmSYDHCgLsCbv4eW6UH64CpgDKixS50ch29rgFXDzKNRxH5qLw/s320/IMG_5230.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few downloaded episodes of Peppa Pig so we could play it without wifi</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nappy bags - useful for everything! Nappies obviously, and wet swim clothes, rubbish etc </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Johnsons baby bed time bath and a duck puff - we didn't have a bath so I showered Rosie with the Johnsons </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Washing powder and washing up liquid </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dummy / toy tags so that you have a hope of keeping things attached where you can</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/JL-Childress-Travel-Umbrella-Strollers/dp/B000QWA9F8/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1498428500&sr=8-2-fkmr1&keywords=buggy+carry+on+cover" target="_blank">The buggy carry on cover</a> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't actually use this in the end but a friend recently borrowed it and said it was great. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What didn't we take that we would probably take next time?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grandparents! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku6Qja6eq0R3lGs-_xl3PGp6SGniSPmKzaNFdw2-G41bnnv5vv_QJvx1HnOZUaWxzzrPjfCEUs17svriF7kFZemQ1d4-HQnDiqwOvtUhDz_B5S4wcPKmr7vxccZeiPkBftHB59CGxT80/s1600/IMG_5302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku6Qja6eq0R3lGs-_xl3PGp6SGniSPmKzaNFdw2-G41bnnv5vv_QJvx1HnOZUaWxzzrPjfCEUs17svriF7kFZemQ1d4-HQnDiqwOvtUhDz_B5S4wcPKmr7vxccZeiPkBftHB59CGxT80/s320/IMG_5302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who did we book with and would we recommend?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We booked our holiday with <a href="https://expert.kuoni.co.uk/expert/adele-jones" target="_blank">Kuoni</a>, this is the third holiday we have booked with them and every holiday has been fantastic. The price included private transfers, including a car seat, and the resorts / hotels are always top notch, we recommend them to everyone! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a really fantastic holiday and it was magical watching Rose develop across the week and we will definitely be booking another holiday soon (hopefully!). We made so many incredible memories! </span><br />
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<br />shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-51847011067405692102017-06-03T12:05:00.000-07:002017-06-03T12:05:01.861-07:00Breastfeeding, when do you know it's time to stop?<div class="m_-1363375732717525056gmail-p1" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
I wanted to write another post on breastfeeding as it is such a huge part of motherhood for me and I had an overwhelming response to my last breastfeeding article, it clearly hit a nerve and resonated with some of you which is great, I had a lot of private messages as it is a very personal and sensitive subject and thank you to those who shared your stories and advice with me. It has taken me so long to write this new post as every time I have thought about what I would like to get down on paper my thoughts have become a bit of a jumble. </div>
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Do I still like breastfeeding? How has it changed? The irony of getting used to it and then weaning, and when will I stop?</div>
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So I didn’t know where to start and didn’t want it to to be a train of consciousness of my sleep deprived mind! </div>
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I found breastfeeding really hard at first, people asked me to explain why, was it a physical or emotional issue? and I found it really hard to articulate, it was both really. It can feel relentless and be unbelievably tiring, and is also mentally draining when it takes time for the two of you to get a good latch, get comfortable in public places and find your feet with any sort of regularity. I have no doubt that if my NCT group hadn’t all been exclusively breastfeeding those first few weeks I would have given up after the first month, but they were and were incredibly supportive, so I persevered and now 10 months later I am still going! </div>
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We are now down to two feeds in 24 hours, one more if Rosie has a bad night and wants an extra feed, and we're up to three meals a day so Rose is getting everything she needs nutritionally from those meals, we were still at three feeds in 24 hours until Rose was 8.5-9 months old and have had two days in the last month where it went up again but this is significantly down on the eight or nine feeds a day we had up until five months. </div>
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The biggest irony was that after sticking with breastfeeding for 5 months and FINALLY getting used to everything that comes with it, the tiredness, the bonding, the convenience, Rosie starting reducing her feeds herself once we started on actual food, and I’ll be honest I found it really emotional. I felt like she didn’t need me any more, which sounds irrational but that’s how I felt at the time!</div>
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Now Rose is 10 months and down to two feeds a day I am ready for this to be my last month of breastfeeding and to move to formula for the remaining two. I’ve said this a few times now and I’m still going so part of me is hoping that writing this down and putting it out there will give me the push!</div>
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I’m now really ready to reclaim my body and my wardrobe! I’m also going to back to work soon and would like to preserve as much as energy as possible and there is no doubt feeding another human is very tiring and it will be great for my husband to be able to take on some of the feeds. </div>
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Breastfeeding has been completely different to what I expected, I’m not really sure what I expected to be honest but I think that I thought it was going to be more physical and functional, when in fact it is incredibly emotional (in a good way) and mentally challenging. </div>
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I have no idea how I am going to feel once I stop completely and I do think there will be a few tears, even though I am so sure it is what I want. It is the end of one chapter and am sure within moments I will be distracted by the next one…I think we may have a crawler by next week! </div>
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Before I go, please remember fed is best, happy mums and happy babies are the goal, not breastfeeding if it isn’t right for your family. Feed your baby whichever way is best for your situation and always trust your instincts, breastfeeding did work out for me but at no point did I feel any pressure to feed my baby in a particular way and I am immensely grateful to my family and friends for that. The lack of pressure gave me the freedom to be in control of what I was doing with my body and I have always taken it one day at a time. </div>
shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-63558975184759976092017-03-30T13:23:00.000-07:002017-03-30T13:23:00.497-07:0010 things I now know about weaning <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Below is a list of 10 things I now know about weaning that I didn't know when I started, hope it helps if you're about to embark on your weaning journey! </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can never have enough bibs!<br /><br />Sometimes we go through 3 a day and unless you want to wash them all the time buy loads<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Your baby will at some point sneeze in your face with a mouthful of food<br /><br />Try to see the funny side! Perhaps we should be wearing a bib too!<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every baby is different in terms of the type of solids they will attempt and when, your baby will let you know when they are ready <br /><br />Don't compare your baby to other babies where food is concerned, remember all adults eat differently!<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Get some bowls that suction to the high chair<br /><br />There will be a time (or many times) when you look away for a second and the meal is on the floor, get regular bowls as well, as babies love playing with the spoon and bowl when they have finished eating<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now is the time to wear breast pads<br /><br />You don't know how quickly your baby will start to reduce their milk feeds once you start on regular food and so now is the time to wear breast pads if you are breastfeeding<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have something in the cupboard your baby can eat whilst they wait<br /><br />Sometimes they sit angelically playing with a toy and sometimes they kick off the entire time you are getting their dinner ready, if it's the latter have something they can hold and munch on in the meantime<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The spoon does make a difference <br /><br />Between us Liam and I bought 3 different spoon types in the first week of weaning and we saw straight away which was the easiest for Rose to eat from, try a few to find the one that's right for your baby<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Try not to have any distractions <br /><br />If the phone is ringing, the tv is on or someone is visiting your baby will definitely find it a lot more interesting than their dinner (in my personal opinion, this may not be the same for everyone!)<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't swipe and wipe<br /><br />I can't claim credit for this saying I have borrowed it from the health visitor, don't be too keen to whip the bowls away and wipe up any mess / baby's face, as they do love exploring and feeling the different textures and you want them to be confident with what's going on for when they start to feed themselves<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's really fun!<br /><br />I have loved introducing Rose to different foods, and seeing her enjoy her meals is wonderful, and there have been lots of hilarious moments along the way</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A sneaky number 11 - weaning brought with it a new routine which I found reassuring as it helped to add structure to our days and I can see Rose also recognises the new routine and starts to look forward to her meals and snacks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />A few products below which we have and would recommend:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Suction-Matching-Feeding-Natural-Bamboo/dp/B015UGKX46?th=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Suction-Matching-Feeding-Natural-Bamboo/dp/B015UGKX46?th=1" target="_blank">Bamboo bowl</a> - £14.99</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYiImzUpDPWsNAwIVNWhbKjeS-eQDEmDiZJ4Fr2iGxoZnxXIBQPitqAkDNROkQXnJkK7elt0oxxkWZb6uKN3PqdKdE4J4JbR7LtzH7Z6HjPRUlPOEqCz1M7aSWRKLIPlNgDwJY38KG90/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-29+at+18.04.13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYiImzUpDPWsNAwIVNWhbKjeS-eQDEmDiZJ4Fr2iGxoZnxXIBQPitqAkDNROkQXnJkK7elt0oxxkWZb6uKN3PqdKdE4J4JbR7LtzH7Z6HjPRUlPOEqCz1M7aSWRKLIPlNgDwJY38KG90/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-29+at+18.04.13.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/chairs-stools-benches/high-chairs/antilop-highchair-with-tray-silver-colour-spr-29067293/" target="_blank">IKEA high chair </a>- £13</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbjw-iHZ90EqXIHZmXoRGAm5I2S2jGs5H0aa2RptlgQVvHZPh53bVRRm9l8BCm9cqr0gG4LXh_CWWhTPst_lWVhUoJI9W1_-iJdLkQ_1-66zmGQ3ZY-SoJlt9Oq60WsYNPqF9n6K45RM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-29+at+18.05.28.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbjw-iHZ90EqXIHZmXoRGAm5I2S2jGs5H0aa2RptlgQVvHZPh53bVRRm9l8BCm9cqr0gG4LXh_CWWhTPst_lWVhUoJI9W1_-iJdLkQ_1-66zmGQ3ZY-SoJlt9Oq60WsYNPqF9n6K45RM/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-03-29+at+18.05.28.png" width="259" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/chairs-stools-benches/high-chairs/pyttig-supporting-cushion-and-cover-red-blue-art-90251824/" target="_blank">IKEA inflatable insert </a> - £6 - good for when baby is small and I bought two so I have one in the pushchair to use on any other high chair when we are out and about </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/d4954.html" target="_blank">Toy</a> that suctions to the high chair - £10</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbWZ6i9ctGKXkime_EXzJyubAhQ0ESh7lTHplZKSQw072_cFAZuI4kHU9BjX8HKVs6FGBixKGVYNcam44BoqzULyD9lhsfKCOL9ZUmBWqG6DuR4DdGthyphenhyphenxArXokBiJPF65AZApeLqAfA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-03-29+at+18.10.38.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbWZ6i9ctGKXkime_EXzJyubAhQ0ESh7lTHplZKSQw072_cFAZuI4kHU9BjX8HKVs6FGBixKGVYNcam44BoqzULyD9lhsfKCOL9ZUmBWqG6DuR4DdGthyphenhyphenxArXokBiJPF65AZApeLqAfA/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-03-29+at+18.10.38.png" width="218" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.toysrus.co.uk/babiesrus/munchkin-lift-spoons-3-pack/TRUP2315950001/CF0001?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_content=desktop&camp=CA:google:MCF:desktop&gclid=Cj0KEQjwtu3GBRDY6ZLY1erL44EBEiQAAKIcvgcjZaM9Hyy8KWdVdUU-EFjEDsLis6ufj0w9BmjVSmIaAreo8P8HAQ" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.toysrus.co.uk/babiesrus/munchkin-lift-spoons-3-pack/TRUP2315950001/CF0001?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_content=desktop&camp=CA:google:MCF:desktop&gclid=Cj0KEQjwtu3GBRDY6ZLY1erL44EBEiQAAKIcvgcjZaM9Hyy8KWdVdUU-EFjEDsLis6ufj0w9BmjVSmIaAreo8P8HAQ" target="_blank">Munchkin spoons</a> - £4.49 (although you can sometimes buy the munchkin products much cheaper in Home bargains, I bought ours in Mothercare but cannot find them on the site </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so many alternatives to these products on the market, these are just a few of the items we have that I have found really useful and so am sharing, if you love your weaning items please share in the comments! </span></div>
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shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-70869994750426018142017-03-20T06:14:00.000-07:002017-03-20T12:57:12.090-07:00Why going to classes when your baby hasn't arrived yet will keep you happy in the long run!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I was at work it felt like my maternity leave was hurtling towards me and I wanted to make sure everything was sorted that needed to be, so that there would be a smooth transition with me leaving. At the same time the bigger I got the more tired I got and I was getting to work closer to 9am every day and was ready to go home at 5.30pm and walk ever so slowly to my car and then get home and lie down for the rest of the evening. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />So where, during this time, do you find the time to go to ante natal classes and meet potential new mum friends? The point of this piece is to say find the time, it really will make all the difference in the long run.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At first I perceived ante natal classes to be expensive and only important if you wanted to have a plan, I didn't want to have a birth plan as the universe usually has its own ideas and presumably my baby was going to come out the way it wanted to whether I liked it or not! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A lot of my friends already had children and so I also thought I had a group ready to slot in to once Rosie arrived, but I mentioned this to a good friend who said I should reconsider. My friend said that now her son was 2 she didn't remember any of those first few days in a way that would be helpful to me and that she was passed the sleepless nights when I might want to message at 2am. When you don't have a baby all of this is hard to comprehend but she was of course completely right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Going to a class to make new mum friends when you don't have a baby is very strange, you are making small talk about your current life when really you need to skip to the next step when you suddenly have this huge thing in common -motherhood. It's a bit like starting a new school but meeting your classmates months before the first day of term. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some classes are great for the body and some for the mind and will always carry different costs; and some will be just for you and some for you and your partner, don't be afraid to try a few before deciding which one you enjoy the most and 'click' with the people there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I did join an NCT class and there was a little getting to know each other in those last few weeks but it was when the babies started to arrive and we were all awake 24/7 wondering what on earth we were supposed to do/were things normal that I could fully appreciate what my friend had told me. These new friends were right there with me on the front line of parenthood as it unfolded and we were all in it together, going through the same things at the same time and that proved invaluable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In hindsight I have a much deeper appreciation for pre natal classes and so I asked a group of friends to let me know the ante natal groups they went to and whether they would recommend them in the hope it helps other new mums, you can find their thoughts below:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"I did both pregnancy yoga classes with Pure Yoga and NCT classes while I was pregnant with Griff and my experiences of each one couldn't have been more different. I think it's total pot luck when it comes to these classes and your experience depends on the others in the group and also the 'teacher' . I've made lifelong friends from both classes which is without doubt the most valuable thing to come from them. I hated my NCT classes. We went with the expectation that we were going to 'baby school' and would leave armed with knowledge of nappies, labour and dummies. How wrong I was. Instead, the whole focus was centred around talking about feelings (Jay particularly hated this part), the power of oxytocin and how having pain relief in labour was some sort of failure. Like I said, I think we were unlucky with the teacher we had." <b>Caroline</b> </span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"NCT was invaluable for me in two ways - it taught me that I had choices when it came to the birth (though sadly stopping the whole thing when the pain was unbearable wasn't an option). And it connected me to a group of new mums (aka new couldn't-imagine-life-without-<wbr></wbr>them-now friends) who have been an absolute saviour over the last seven months.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The one thing NCT doesn't teach you - what to do with a tiny human being for the next 18 years of it's life. Argh!" <b>Helen</b> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I didn't do NCT but did invest the time and money into things that I felt would relax me and give me coping methods for pregnancy and childbirth, so I booked onto pregnancy yoga, Daisy Birthing classes and one to one Hypnobirthing sessions.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found the Daisy classes really lovely as they were educational and relaxing- I felt they helped to mentally prepare me and the stretching was good for me physically too. The teacher, Ellie, was so supportive and helpful, she made a massive impact on me. Being able to ask questions and share how I was feeling with the group, and hear how everyone else was doing, was really valuable.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hypnobirthing was amazing. I was able to get myself into a state of deep relaxation really quickly using the audio tracks and positive affirmations from what I had read (Katharine Graves' book & CD) and my sessions with Jessica Driscoll in Cardiff. I had a clear idea of how I wanted the birth to go but also had a 'go with the flow' mentality too as a result of this preparation.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All I can say is, it worked! I didn't know I was in labour until I was fully dilated. I'd managed the 'twinges' I thought I was having using the techniques I'd learnt and aromatherapy (sniffing rose oil is great for pain relief!). The baby was back to back, which is meant to be even more painful, but I thought I just needed the toilet!<br /><br />Anyway, my birth experience was really positive, relaxed and drug free. Right at the end, I needed some extra help as he was stuck, but I didn't freak out at the change of plan, I just made a calm decision to accept the help offered.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think understanding the 'fear, tension, pain' cycle was the game changer for me. If you can stop your mind making you afraid, stop taking on board the scare stories and instead focus on the fact it's the most natural thing in the world which your body is made to do, you can achieve a deeply relaxed state and feel a lot less pain.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think it definitely also has an impact on the baby, and everyone remarks on how chilled out my little boy is.</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No one has ever told me this stuff didn't help them, so my advice would be give it a try!" <b>Paula</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Total life line best thing I ever did. So important now more than ever with lots of children's centres being closed down." <b>Emma</b> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Huge thanks to my friends for contributing their thoughts, I am obviously now an advocate for meeting new people whilst you're pregnant but as every pregnant woman is different and there are so many options on offer I thought in this case it was good to bring in some other perspectives.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As much as these classes might go some way to giving you an insight in to what labour will be like nothing can really prepare you for the moment you know it has started and the moment your baby arrives, but what will last a lifetime is the invaluable support of your new friends and any confidence you have brought with you from the classes. </span><br />
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<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/hbo-carrie-sex-and-the-city-satc-3o85xKd1pw0NqsloiI">via GIPHY</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are unsure which classes to try in your local area ask your midwife as they will likely know what other mums have tried and recommended! </span></div>
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shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-7244139101817980052017-02-19T14:56:00.000-08:002017-02-19T14:56:12.260-08:00Surviving the day with a little miss no naps<div class="p1">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I am going to hold my hand up and say I have always been coy about discussing my daughter’s sleep, because she was a great sleeper very early on, from about 8 weeks old she slept 7.30pm to 5 or 6am, most new parents do not want to know that your baby is a good sleeper and if you tell people with older children they often look at you with a look that says ‘it won’t last’. So I kept schtum and felt I couldn’t moan about anything, because my baby slept through - what did I have to moan about?! </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span class="s1"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I ummed and ahhed about including the above paragraph as I am so afraid of people's feelings on sleep, but I have always been honest on here and I need to be able to be happy and honest when things go right as well as wrong. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the first few months Rose barely napped in the day so the days were long, but I couldn't complain as she slept all night, not every single night, but almost all of them, she was a dream sleeper for a newborn and it was completely unexpected. Having suffered a lot with pelvic pain during my pregnancy I started getting a lot more sleep once Rose arrived which I was not expecting! </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fast forward to Rose being 6 months old and she started teething, and then caught another cold, and suddenly I met little miss no naps, no naps in the day and hours and hours of interrupted sleep, with screaming, tears, winging and refusals to be put down. Suddenly I was a zombie, shattered and tearful, I felt like the frayed end of an old rope. I couldn’t bare to see Rose so unsettled and unhappy when she had always been so happy and smiley.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I felt so tired I couldn’t see straight and started doubting my decisions; and I became focussed solely on getting Rose to get minutes of sleep. I cancelled seeing friends, didn’t want to drive and I started clock watching waiting for my husband to get home from work and help.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Why was this focus bad? Because it meant that I didn’t notice where we had lapsed in other ways, I didn’t notice small changes I had made to her routine, or her diet without thinking. They were all minor changes but I realised after a particularly bad night and a visit to the health visitor where she said ‘just try and keep everything through the bath and bed routine as calm as possible’ just how far I had strayed from the good old days of sleep and our previous routine. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">That one sentence from the health visitor made me stop and realise things were not remotely calm, I was tense and tired, Liam was doing his best to help but it made sense that Rose would pick up on the frazzled energy I was omitting. I realised the reason Rose had been bad the night before wasn’t because of teething or a cold, both of which had started to ease off, it was probably a stomach ache, and the gripe water which I had given her in the early hours as a last resort was what had calmed things down. This had passed me by initially, just grateful for the 2 hours of sleep I had gotten after she had fallen back to sleep, after her waking up crying every half an hour from 11.30pm until 5.30am. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I realised that in my tired state I had started using more food pouches (which are brilliant by the way) rather than food I was preparing myself and so was missing a few carb heavy ingredients I had always used as staples, so perhaps Rose wasn’t staying as full for as long. I was letting Rose watch TV, when usually I had a minimal tv rule, if it meant she would calm down for 10 minutes whilst I tried to drink a cup of tea to get up the energy for bath-time. I realised to stay awake I was drinking more and more tea and less water, probably not ideal to drink that much caffeine when you are breastfeeding! Lastly, I wasn’t as strict on the timings of dinner, bath, milk and bed, I had started to stray from the timings and was letting things be more exciting than calm so the usual wind down wasn’t in place. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXaqb7hqkpq_YnyO0OkeGWS0Ntd1F8ppcf9khWmvFh8hZWyZk-a2vs0IE2dJvdib6zgdLi9gI3UyNOwm2-bznMkc3GkynI6B6GpjbgoWxdHDrH-NbnZQwtMkKnNvb8mlEkdFyqGM6OS8/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXaqb7hqkpq_YnyO0OkeGWS0Ntd1F8ppcf9khWmvFh8hZWyZk-a2vs0IE2dJvdib6zgdLi9gI3UyNOwm2-bznMkc3GkynI6B6GpjbgoWxdHDrH-NbnZQwtMkKnNvb8mlEkdFyqGM6OS8/s320/IMG_1889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">All small things that had gone unnoticed but adding up to being way off the base that would usually ease our beautiful daughter in to a sound sleep. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I couldn’t see the wood for the trees. Being tired and hoping every hour for minutes of sleep for both your baby and yourself means you focus only on getting through the day, I remember telling Liam that every day felt like I was running a marathon - subsequently he found a skipping rope in the fridge and started to realise perhaps I really wasn’t getting enough sleep! </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I realised that to get back to a place where we are all getting a decent amount of sleep, I needed to:</span></span></div>
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<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s1">Take a step back </span></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="s1">Tackle the cold and the teething with whatever would help</span></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s1">Think about what had helped Rose get a good nights sleep before </span></span></li>
<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s1">Ask for help</span></span></li>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My mum came to help with Rose so that I could get some sleep during the day and I started waking Liam for help during the night, knowing that I couldn’t continue trying to do it all myself. Slowly but surely I felt much stronger and had more energy and Rose started to get over her cold and we enjoyed our time together again.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After a couple of days of longer stints of sleep through the night, having become very strict on everything that happens after 5pm, we hit the weekend, where the routine always becomes a bit haywire, and we went back to more crying and wake ups (baby not me!). So perhaps there was some sort of correlation between the routine and sleep.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sticking with the routine and making sure Rose got some decent naps during the day, either by going for a walk with the pushchair or lying down next to her for the nap, we had a night of more hours of uninterrupted sleep, the longest we had enjoyed in weeks. Hoping this is the start of more good nights, I daren't stray from the plan and am probably a bit fixated but will stick with it! </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am conscious baby books are peppered with these regressions and there is no way more sleep will continue for long, and I should have a giant poster in the kitchen depicting a slippery slope so I don't fall down it so hard again, but hopefully I will spot the signs and won’t let myself get to the point of such limited sleep again as it was good for no one! </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Teething and colds / coughs definitely play a big part in making everything go haywire so here are a few products that I would recommend getting to help you through the day:</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Calpol-Vapouriser-Night-Plug-Refill/dp/B0017TN0OG" target="_blank">Calpol vapour plug in</a> - put on when you put baby in the bath so it has already had time to circulate when you put them to bed </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.boots.com/anbesol-teething-gel-10g-10188577" target="_blank">Anbesol</a> - teething gel that numbs the whole gum </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ReLogonFormView?storeId=10151&krypto=&ddkey=http%3Agb%2Fgroceries%2Fbaby-healthcare%2Fwoodwards-gripe-water-150ml" target="_blank">Gripe water</a> - we didn’t use this much until recently but it has really helped since we started weaning Rose </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/little-angels-baby-bath-shampoo/asda-little-angels-vapour-bath/910001970269" target="_blank">Vapour bubble bath</a> - good if they have a really bad cold and is a bit of a pick me up for you all as the room smells like a spa! </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mothercare.com/feeding/soothers-and-teething/" target="_blank">Dummies</a> - I know they are not for everyone but they have really helped us with Rose, as a signal for sleep and to calm her down when she’s screaming so hard you can see her tonsils! </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.nurofenforchildren.co.uk/" target="_blank">Baby nurofen</a> - effects seem to last a little longer than Calpol </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Food - buy in food that you can easily grab from the fridge or have someone make up for you the night before, when you're tired and the baby doesn't want to be put down it is hard to take care of yourself and this is when it is most important, you need to be able to reach in and grab something, whether it's a sandwich, sausage roll, babybel, donut, whatever, just make sure something is there. Personally, I have eaten my weight in toast these last few weeks. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You can get most of these at the main supermarkets</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>A couple of other things I tried:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Less lights, more lamps - create as calming an environment as you can - I usually use the word boring instead of calming, so there is nothing to distract Rose</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Swimming - always tires babies out so if you have the energy to get there it is worth a shot </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Walking - when they are this determined to be awake it needs to be a long walk and if you are really tired it is tough but maybe someone else could do the walk for you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A comforter that only lives in the bed - bunny has come in to her own this last 3 weeks! We don't take her anywhere so we don't risk losing her and having largely ignored her until now Rose is suddenly very attached, holding on to her little ears as she falls asleep </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Baby bottle of water - I have one in the nursery so that if Rose gets really upset in the night I can use it to calm her down and soothe her throat, I still feed her if she wants milk but the water has definitely helped on a couple of occasions </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Reading - One night I read hundreds of poems from the 'book of a thousand poems', I was shattered and Rose didn't fall asleep but she calmed down to the point that I was able to lie back in bed and keep an eye on her through the monitor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This stint has lasted almost a month and I have no idea how people survive with babies that don't sleep for months on end, you are so strong to keep going when you must be so tired and I hope you all feel like you can ask for the help you need and aren't afraid to admit things are getting hard and you need a time out to take care of yourself. Too little sleep can be dangerous and it is vital we support mums who are having a tough time with their baby's sleep. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you have found something particularly works for you and your baby please share in the comments below to help other mummies, I've been overwhelmed by the supportive messages I have received from friends this last few weeks, they have really helped and made me feel like I'm not alone, when at times being at home with a baby can be incredibly lonely and you feel like nothing you do is right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's wishing you all a lovely nights sleep!! </span></div>
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shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-75600113439360961662017-01-15T10:37:00.000-08:002017-01-15T10:37:01.486-08:00The imperceptible invasion of primary colours...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we bought our house 2 years ago it was a multi coloured feast for the eyes, I don’t mean a splash of mustard here and blue there, we are talking wall to wall (and floor) purple, turquoise walls with orange skirting in another room and an orange room with lime green alcove. I almost forgot to mention the hall, inspired by Rupert the bear, red carpet and yellow walls. We saw the house and fell in love with its period features, size and potential and for the next 18 months focussed on updating and neutralising, creating a calm and welcoming home that we love.<br /><br />Fast forward to Summer 2016 and our beautiful daughter Rose arrived, not wearing a lot of pink myself the clothes I, and friends and family, bought for her were shades of yellow, grey, baby blue, with a smattering of pink and coral here and there. Her nursery is so far in neutral shades and I loved choosing calming toys and comforters that I thought would bring her joy - not deliberately, I was just walking around the shops choosing things that I liked and obviously my taste was that of a 33 year old woman not a newborn.<br /><br />Then one day when Rose was about 3 months old I looked down at what she was playing with and realised everything was white, white Jellycat bunny, white elephant rattle, white Sophie the giraffe chew toy, etc etc and I felt unbelievably guilty! Surely I should introduce some colour to keep her entertained and awaken her senses!<br /><br />On a side note the poor babe also had a white Snuzpod, white high chair and slept in our room which is almost entirely off-white, and I had bought a pale grey elephant playmat - calm yes, boring for a baby? probably!<br /><br />So I went to the nursery and looked through all of the toys that had been wonderfully gifted, I showed her a cerise Jellycat horse bought for her by her cousins and she loved it! I found some lamaze baby toys my mum had bought and she loved them! Liam came home with some teething toys and she loved them! The biggest hit of all was a chime ball with multicoloured animals on that she would try and chat to for ages, making lovely little gurgle noises. Rose was thrilled toys had finally arrived!<br /><br />When I bought her a new Gro-bag I bought one in shades of purple instead of yellow and we bought her a Lamaze crunchy book that is still a massive hit today - I don’t think we could ever attempt a drive without it!<br /><br />You can imagine that there was now a little more colour in Rose’s life and at a level we hadn’t really registered.<br /><br />This week I looked around the house and could see much more had arrived without me noticing...the bath toys along the side of the bath, the fisher price seat in our bedroom, the Oopsy Daisy on the changing table and IKEA play mat in the lounge- as well as a host of other teddies and muslins and bumbos and bouncers around the place.<br /><br />When I saw these items all over the house did I shudder and think 'what happened to my house?!'<br /><br />No!<br /><br />I smiled, and thought Rosie had left her stamp on it, we had created a blank canvas just waiting for her to make it a home, I love that she has made her mark on every room and she seems to love all of her toys and books and cuddly bunnies. I am looking at her now having a nap next to me and she is wearing a multicoloured striped top and some pink joggers and she looks wonderful.<br /><br />My brilliant neighbour Claire arrived with a lovely bag of toys the other day and a lion in particular has been a big hit, with a crunchy mane and teethers attached.<br /><br />It's also great to now have more toys on offer when friends visit with their babies, I've started thinking everyone must have thought I was so mean not having lots for Rose to play with. I promise it wasn't on purpose!<br /><br />One side of the toy situation that I have 'Clairified' is I do tend to pick out toys that are easy for me to wash, I am trying to be as relaxed as I can be about Rose putting everything in her mouth and toys being on the floor and I hope this will get easier as time goes on, but for the time being I am comforted by being able to wash everything if I feel I need to. Liam's patience in this regard wares thin occasionally when he wants to find her current favourite toy and it is on the radiator but happy mummy = happy baby and I am doing my best! As I say, hopefully I will become much more relaxed about this as time goes on.<br /><br />I know there is a jumperoo lurking in the loft, a bouncer arrived this week and she hasn’t properly discovered Peppa pig yet so I have no doubt I will read this back in 6 months time and laugh at my naive love of the slow arrival of primary colours and probably long for these days where I’m not stepping on lego and have a toy box in every room, but for now I am loving the splashes of colour Rose has brought to our home, a much welcomed injection of chaotic colour and fun!</span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-89534242111067135712017-01-04T11:44:00.001-08:002017-01-04T11:44:52.406-08:00The wonderful world of winging it weaning <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKFFY6hixCfRuaUdMeJseEFmmYHbVnejMPmPMDG1TkPE4Io4-27G0hFfQp89Y42r68L8r2wa2FlMoTCMQO86Jcnei-06G3CI1nQCPRS6JjLGAnPIxGY9ugmFPwAExRffUCI6VTXLtqL8/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKFFY6hixCfRuaUdMeJseEFmmYHbVnejMPmPMDG1TkPE4Io4-27G0hFfQp89Y42r68L8r2wa2FlMoTCMQO86Jcnei-06G3CI1nQCPRS6JjLGAnPIxGY9ugmFPwAExRffUCI6VTXLtqL8/s320/IMG_0530.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we enter 2017 Rose is now 5 months old and I am starting to feel marginally more confident as a mum in a myriad of ways, and Rosie has come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of weeks and we have had a lot of laughs over the Christmas break.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've noticed that Rosie has reached an age where we are now expected to see some significant milestones...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Has she rolled over?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have we started on food?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Will we be doing purees or baby led?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is Rose starting to sit up unaided?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With all of these developmental milestones now expected I have felt a weight of responsibility that it is our job to make sure Rosie grows into a healthy, well balanced individual with the right level of safety, independence and happiness. Obviously I knew we would need to do all of this, but I hadn't expected to feel borderline stressed about it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Liam's reaction is that obviously she will do all of these things eventually, and he is quite right, but as the person with Rosie all day I feel it is my responsibility to make sure we spend an appropriate amount of time doing tummy time, trying new things etc and I feel really guilty if we have a couple of days where we don't really 'do anything'. Inverted commas because with a baby you are never not doing anything, but you guys know what I mean. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I have all of these questions in the back of my mind, BUT, I have decided that winging it so far has been working and Rose is happy, smiley and thriving and so I am determined to not clock watch the milestones this year and instead embrace the small victories and enjoy my time with Rose as much as I possibly can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is too easy to make comparisons when you become a mum, it's like an inbuilt guilt/worry sensor that there must be something wrong if your baby isn't doing something in the week it suggests in a book and I try and remind myself that we wouldn't ever try and pin down something specific time wise for anyone else we know and we need to have faith that our children will do things in their own time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some days we see dramatic changes and sometimes there is just the hint of what may be on the horizon, sitting up for a millisecond longer than usually unaided or the coveted rollover! I have found babies love to show you they can do something once and then not repeat it for weeks, probably so they can internally giggle at you trying to repeat the exact circumstances over and over again in the hopes they will do it again - as if! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Somehow my face has become hilarious and Rose now bursts into hysterics at random times just looking at my face, I think it's because she likes the sound of her own laugh - and who can blame her it sounds wonderful! I don't think I have ever heard such a wonderful sound as the belly chuckle that erupts when she finds something funny, I am grinning just thinking about it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we have started on the food, we started with porridge and have then introduced various fruit and vegetables, so far blueberries and courgette have been a big hit, with carrot and sweet potato bringing the funniest faces when she tried them! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are not pureeing completely, instead leaving some texture and are going to start on finger foods this week, we have some avocado and mango ready to go as these are foods that are easy to chop into small hand sizes and will mush on impact. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am reading various books for ideas and advice and playing close attention to Rosie and how she is getting on at each mealtime, so far all is well and we will continue with what she and we feel comfortable with and see how things develop. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was a very fussy eater (my poor parents!) and so I want to encourage Rose to be as open to foods as I can and I am thrilled she is loving what she has tried so far, I took heed of advice not to introduce sweet fruits too early and am keen to introduce a very wide variety of vegetables, gently mixing flavours as time goes on.<br /><br />We have used one Ella's Kitchen pouch so far as we had run out of other porridge / food and the combination of flavours displayed on Rose's face! Will definitely try some more as time goes on I am sure. I have heard about a few books that detail weaning recipes that are suitable for the whole family and so Liam is on research duty and I will let you know if we find one we would recommend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am still breastfeeding and have seen a slight change in Rosie's feeding routine, with a much longer gap between feeds in the middle of the day. I have also noticed Rosie has a much longer nap in the morning and is sleeping for longer at night, which results in a very content baby, most of which I would attribute to the introduction of food, as well as being a little older and more aware of the lovely things in life!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am always open to hearing what worked for others so if you have an advice / recipes / books you would recommend please let me know in the comments! </span><br />
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<br />shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-9009011962057745192016-12-05T16:02:00.002-08:002016-12-05T16:02:29.529-08:00When reality bites <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last couple of weeks have been tough, we've had coughs, colds (all of us) and teething (just Rose) and everything that comes with those and I am happy to say we now seem to be coming out the other side and I have finally sat down and written this blog that has been going around and around in my head for weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I seem to worry constantly about Rose's weight gain (despite her being lovely and chubby) and her nappies weren't as wet for a few hours this week and I went in to full military mode until they were back up to a weight I was happy with, don't mess with me and the wee! I don't know how I have had the energy to get through some of the recent days and feed Rosie sometimes 8 or 9 times in the day, as well as remembering to feed myself, but you know what you find it somewhere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rosie summing it up here, I ate that soup in the background cold and at speed whilst I held her hand because she cried if I didn't:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so tired, I don't think I will ever have enough sleep, if you said to me now 'go have a sleep, for one, eleven, forty hours' how ever long it was I don't think it would be enough, but that's ok, because when I am awake there is a lovely smiling face ready to remind me why being a mum and tired for the rest of my life is totally worth it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find myself constantly saying to my mum - I have no idea how you did it?! I have three siblings and my mum already has 6 grandchildren and I am not joking when I say she made it look easy. Now when I think of everything she must have gone through with us, constantly putting herself at the bottom of the pile I cannot believe how hardcore she is! My mum is a legend and when things have got tough since Rosie arrived she swoops in from Devon (when I tell Rose I say 'we're bringing in the big guns, Nana is coming!) and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. I sometimes worry that it means I'm not learning to do all the hard stuff myself but then I constantly see things that say 'it takes a village', 'always ask for help' etc and so I call my mum and she comes and helps and I get extra sleep, cups of tea, hugs and the washing actually moves from where I've left it for who knows how long - bliss! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With mum being here Liam and I decided to abandon the sick house and ease our cabin fever last night and go to the cinema, I went knowing that I may fall asleep but I was happy to pay a small fortune to sit in the dark, stare straight ahead and have no one need anything from me for 2 hours, it was great, and as always I missed Rosie and couldn't wait to come home, it was a great feeling! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shout outs to some wonderful people who were the light in last week:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mel who came and gave me a massage to help my poor tired body feel more human again</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Caroline who came with wise words and soup and even made the soup for us whilst I sat on a stool and tried to remember where we keep the bowls</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Louise who walked in and started washing up (I love you) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lowri from Little Maldod, who made me realise I hadn't laughed in too long when I discovered the unbelievably wonderful book 'Animals a plenty one to twenty' - I'm still laughing now thinking about it (racoons holding the baboons balloons!!!!)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course always wonderful little Rosie, who belly laughs when I dance around like a mad thing, will listen to my highly unusual animal suggestions for Old McDonald has a farm (who has a lion, owl and mummies in my version), who chatters at the top of her voice and smiles through the snot, puke and sore gums like a wonderful little super trooper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rose is now 19 weeks old, and f I had a pound for every time someone has said "it goes so fast" I would be a very rich woman, but you know what, it does go so fast! I look at Rose thriving every day and I feel like I'm torn between wanting to shout "grow!" and simultaneously "don't grow!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I say we're coming out the other side of this tricky time, the teething isn't going to stop but we can cope when Liam and I are feeling closer to 100% and it isn't combined with snot puke - who knew that was such a thing, I called the doctor in a total panic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week brings Christmas trees, fairy lights, carols and mince pies and I know Rosie and I are going to love every minute. I've missed my NCT pals and I can't wait to see them this week and see how much their bubbas have grown and catch up on everything that has been happening, we are all in this horrible teething phase and we all need the moral support and cake that a meet up brings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're having a tough time I hope you have friends and family to support you and that you know you can ask for help, being a mum is really hard and sometimes we all need a hug and a time out before going back in the deep end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mums you are hardcore and I salute you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-36489522218673998922016-11-01T15:20:00.001-07:002016-11-01T15:20:27.358-07:003 months in to motherhood, what I now know to be true <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This post has taken so long to publish that Rose is actually now nearly 15 weeks but at three months I took a moment to reflect on what had changed over the last few weeks and what I now know to be true, that I probably didn't believe in those first few days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Crying </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Babies do stop crying, those first couple of weeks where they cry endlessly and for no apparent reason do end. To the point where when they are quiet for a time you think something must be wrong with them for them to have stopped! Now I know it's because they are letting you know everything is all a bit new and crazy and the only way they can communicate is to cry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Bathing them gets easier</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was one of the worst times for me as Rose screamed like we were hurting her, to the point where I was sure the neighbours must have been able to hear her and it took us a long time to settle her down afterwards. This stopped after a week and is apparently normal, thankfully she now loves the bath! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>People aren't judging you</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ok some people are but the majority of people are very considerate and will want to chat with you about your baby and tell you all about their grown up children. New mantra - do whatever is right for you and your family and don't worry about anyone else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had such bad pelvis pain when I was pregnant that I actually get more sleep now Rose is here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People talk a lot about sleep deprivation when it comes to parenthood but I am not convinced that we should put so much emphasis on it when discussing the effects of a baby on your life when talking to new parents. We know that people can survive on less sleep if they have to, what people can't survive on is mental exhaustion coupled with no sleep. Imagine your body is suddenly the sole source for another human and as well as this you are responsible for keeping that human alive and they are completely helpless. Throw in that you have received no training and have never met this person before and new parents are mentally exhausted as well as sleep deprived, which is a scary combination. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I feel tired I may have had several hours sleep, but I might have breastfed on demand for up to 16 hours of the day, sang 'you are my sunshine' endlessly until I'm losing my voice, stood rocking a baby with wind while they scream in my face and walked miles in the hope they take a nap. Throw in all the worries involved with a newborn (to vaccinate or not to vaccinate, watching they don't ingest something they shouldn't, avoiding nappy rash, keeping on top of eczma etc etc) and you are really, really tired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is not a whinge, it is a reminder that we shouldn't just focus on how many hours sleep new parents are getting as it is only one part of the new parent journey and we should make sure everyone is getting the support they need, not just more sleep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//giphy.com/embed/z2Sectp9SiC88" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/tired-sleepy-wake-up-z2Sectp9SiC88">via GIPHY</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You will need less nappies</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This makes me laugh as although there are no doubt tons of nappy changes required you end up changing the baby twice as much as you need to in the early days because you are trying everything you can think of when they cry! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Patience </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You have patience reserves you had no idea existed when it comes to your baby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Caveat - only for your baby, you actually have less patience with everyone else! In my case anyway. </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="340" src="//giphy.com/embed/Hoj7y18Szr23C" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/Hoj7y18Szr23C">via GIPHY</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Breastfeeding does get easier </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is a different experience for every person but I found that slowly but surely it has gotten much easier. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Fresh air makes everything better </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It really does, it gives you a moment to breathe deep lungfuls of restorative air and will almost always make your baby go to sleep. When you feel like you're going mad in the house put the baby in the pram and get outside, walking and being outside is good for you and your baby in so many ways, I can't recommend this enough. </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="250" src="//giphy.com/embed/l0K4jwyp6FZa9phyU" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/angrybirds-angry-birds-matilda-the-movie-l0K4jwyp6FZa9phyU">via GIPHY</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Talking always helps</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be honest, talk with family and friends and get anything off your chest / ask questions, I've been shocked at how many subjects are now commonplace in every conversation (poo, sick, boobs etc) but talking really does help and can be both therapeutic and reassuring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>It's never just you</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whatever you are feeling, you are not alone, so don't worry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /><b>New mums are very sensitive </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People expect you to be hormonal when they can see the bump, if anything you are more hormonal and emotional when your life has been turned upside down by the arrival of your bundle of joy. If you know new mums please be sensitive, think about what you're saying as they are highly impressionable and you should focus on positive subjects when you can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One last thing - hug new mums. I noticed after a few weeks that I was dishing out a serious number of hugs to Rose but wasn't get as many hugs as I used to, as when people arrive you have the baby in your arms, the same when they come to leave. Dish out hugs to new mums left, right and centre, remember they need some attention too and a hug is always lovely!</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="269" src="//giphy.com/embed/26tn9sw1iph9DzBuM" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/sistersmovie-tina-fey-sisters-movie-26tn9sw1iph9DzBuM">via GIPHY</a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That's it for now, as usual the last few weeks have brought LOTS of change, we have had immunisations and giggles, as well as attempts at making lots of 'chatter' noise and lots more sleep, the next few weeks may bring rolling over and more laughs as well as Christmas plans and hopefully some sitting up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love being a mum and nothing can prepare you for how much you will love your baby, at first you are surviving and then things start to get easier and you realise you can't really remember how it felt before they arrived, you can recall what it was like day to day in terms of all that extra time, nipping to the shops, big nights out, but I can't remember what it felt like without all these extra feelings of love and protection I now have, on the hardest of days a baby smile and cuddle always fixes everything! </span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-12928585289546214412016-10-17T14:41:00.001-07:002016-10-17T14:41:46.433-07:00The quest for the perfect mum coat! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that I am on maternity leave and you can't hold an umbrella and push a pram at the same time I need a proper 'mum' coat with a hood for when Rose and I are out and about. I'm trying to be in the car as little as possible for 3 reasons:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walking off the mum tum slowly but surely</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making sure Rose gets plenty of vitamin D</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rose doesn't like being in the car (car seat is fine, I pull off and sometimes it feels like armageddon) </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far I have tried on multiple coats in the shops and ordered 9 online - with no success. I've tried Joules (which I was convinced would be 'the one'), La Redoute, ASOS, Seasalt and H&M.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My pre pregnancy coats are too small and don't have a hood, and my maternity coat also doesn't have a hood and I am keen to wear as many non maternity clothes as I can moving forward as I miss regular clothes! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started this blog several days ago and they take me so long to get finished that I did manage to get a coat this weekend, but I am still posting as I had already written most of it and hopefully it will provide some good inspiration for you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 musts for a mum coat:</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Waterproof</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hood </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good pockets</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was in the market for a smart parka, I don't want to look too casual as I am in pyjamas/loungewear enough as it is! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below are a few examples of the parkas you can get if you're prepared to break the bank:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://www.toa.st/uk/product/c0gcb/winter+parka.htm?clr=c0gcb_fern&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvve_BRDmg9Kt9ufO15EBEiQAKoc6qkj-8djy-bsU_nGWuUMLy6lTJ5RtVb7O69LrhRcmP7IaAmc28P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Toast</a> - £295 (LOVE the hood on this one)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewo-3ARqdXK7MnxJnaLFnu8UpjrzB3Sht3Hp1BYFY8yXxfgxqOXnYtclnMCtOPV9KKEzi33RztcD1RCa3nkjqIXNd02-U_zn57XJ6MruamnOzQ_UZyZME6sT0dF0jDpoxJkHE4V1tVUc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.45.14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewo-3ARqdXK7MnxJnaLFnu8UpjrzB3Sht3Hp1BYFY8yXxfgxqOXnYtclnMCtOPV9KKEzi33RztcD1RCa3nkjqIXNd02-U_zn57XJ6MruamnOzQ_UZyZME6sT0dF0jDpoxJkHE4V1tVUc/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.45.14.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.barbour.com/uk/categories/womens/waterproof-jackets/barbour-crevasse-waterproof-breathable-jacket/p/LWB0383NY7110?breadcrumbs=womens&breadcrumbs=womens-waterproofjackets" target="_blank">Barbour</a> - £219</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgcAAI7GdiDVefBaG5yo2EILuq-qVSm2nYCHUn4j7HbzLFXsP5AZgKGRTilXwmcr74p3ObbzmD1uFlFv_-D74YL5Ex293KAa5belSGq6I_7i8FJI6PtFpHVygxU4ASN6GlexC95Yefio/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.52.45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgcAAI7GdiDVefBaG5yo2EILuq-qVSm2nYCHUn4j7HbzLFXsP5AZgKGRTilXwmcr74p3ObbzmD1uFlFv_-D74YL5Ex293KAa5belSGq6I_7i8FJI6PtFpHVygxU4ASN6GlexC95Yefio/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.52.45.png" width="220" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.hush-uk.com/womenswear/daywear/jackets/short_eskimo_parka_khaki_blue.htm?campaign=awin_78888" target="_blank">Hush</a> - £150 </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuhnabqoa_VPq-4G8sTLpoz1Qikol3_LnKkUt-AOvFSkRSrNj2nQgefC1T_MMoDQ4tKVDCSYgvGoRSVDmIfAiQQTuk2cRYCnVL5G8G7GTn3wfttey87WNg3Y9ufXeJBQVgQk8aN6G4kA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.54.51.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuhnabqoa_VPq-4G8sTLpoz1Qikol3_LnKkUt-AOvFSkRSrNj2nQgefC1T_MMoDQ4tKVDCSYgvGoRSVDmIfAiQQTuk2cRYCnVL5G8G7GTn3wfttey87WNg3Y9ufXeJBQVgQk8aN6G4kA/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.54.51.png" width="197" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've never ordered anything from Hush before, if you can vouch for the quality and fit please let me know! I love the length and navy collar on the one above (great website too BTW).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spotted this one on the Zara website and I think based on Zara quality and the amount of coat you get for your money this would be a good buy - my only concern is that it looks long on the model so may come down to my knees! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/outerwear/parkas/reversible-anorak-c500005p3647764.html" target="_blank">Zara</a> - £89.99</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddazF6ygoevF2FTMwM9_bFdLU7iDGgGQD7O7O06O7_UsElAz-6rw_DqKHAqkO0HzxDEjb4d4cAcSSH_SLmx8H3Z_zm-VczCRvX4TsxwRMJMVdN7yk-2wCkDHqWGUme3XiAnmlQJVu3_k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.48.57.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddazF6ygoevF2FTMwM9_bFdLU7iDGgGQD7O7O06O7_UsElAz-6rw_DqKHAqkO0HzxDEjb4d4cAcSSH_SLmx8H3Z_zm-VczCRvX4TsxwRMJMVdN7yk-2wCkDHqWGUme3XiAnmlQJVu3_k/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.48.57.png" width="216" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You all know how tight I am when it comes to spending money on clothes, but I feel this new coat will be money well spent as it will be protecting me from the elements all day everyday and so is worth spending a little more than normal. I have also been eBaying and have been very good shopping wise recently as I know Christmas is only around the corner. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spotted the following coats during my hunt and have broken them down in to type...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tailored</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Look via <a href="http://www.asos.com/new-look/new-look-smart-tailored-coat/prd/7192177?iid=7192177&clr=Grey&SearchQuery=&cid=2641&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=71&gridsize=3&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=1" target="_blank">ASOS</a> - £34.99</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZwWDYJejg-rwz5bUKSDsHMr3uLSwVeuprdngOBANzbCFgqM_6nDfUYTB3XlVSAa50Sf71FnEvZjMdk-VARs85Q_eW5d34HyhcLcmT83_aaMAwhEFkZQ9L6CUibAB13efw20V2gwudKA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.26.56.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZwWDYJejg-rwz5bUKSDsHMr3uLSwVeuprdngOBANzbCFgqM_6nDfUYTB3XlVSAa50Sf71FnEvZjMdk-VARs85Q_eW5d34HyhcLcmT83_aaMAwhEFkZQ9L6CUibAB13efw20V2gwudKA/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.26.56.png" width="187" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.oasis-stores.com/gb/clothing/jackets-coats/felicity-faux-fur-collar-coat/058614.html?dwvar_058614_color=14&position=7&cgid=coats-and-jackets#plpPosition=7&start=7&categoryID=coats-and-jackets" target="_blank">Oasis</a> - £95</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgO3BgdpL_pDDwltHTObDeknHIp_-sGs5C8riREyeHMnoao4Bj-iDjUl_w9r92NfdzX9zXFObRNj-oXGpPf75s6syZQkK5GQw4xsSv2JNsagM9LnHXSUEcEtH2gAid1SXGz75d9IyU2A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.24.14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgO3BgdpL_pDDwltHTObDeknHIp_-sGs5C8riREyeHMnoao4Bj-iDjUl_w9r92NfdzX9zXFObRNj-oXGpPf75s6syZQkK5GQw4xsSv2JNsagM9LnHXSUEcEtH2gAid1SXGz75d9IyU2A/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.24.14.png" width="211" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes I love grey!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.boohoo.com/restofworld/icat/wool-%20%20coats" target="_blank">Boohoo</a> - £40</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72xSQrDYmjlw4F5q_mkNCgLUEZ5dd9nkNVhAuaeuXTEwQWTzdyAfKtuqg_3oZTzRoC-zNqC8Nm89h56tJzy-6nSbzQ1j2Ld2IdKPNPfngoCLpo2SlXDaAjWj1y4yjDZ2BeDRQBxgYKnQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.25.50.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72xSQrDYmjlw4F5q_mkNCgLUEZ5dd9nkNVhAuaeuXTEwQWTzdyAfKtuqg_3oZTzRoC-zNqC8Nm89h56tJzy-6nSbzQ1j2Ld2IdKPNPfngoCLpo2SlXDaAjWj1y4yjDZ2BeDRQBxgYKnQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.25.50.png" width="184" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fisherman</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/women/clothing/casual-jackets-in-soft-cord-and-printed-cotton/seafolly-short-lightweight-traditional-raincoat_redcurrant.htm" target="_blank">Seasalt</a> - £89.95 </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt3aHZrNpKDqvzpMD_VejoVjeNJkq-Sd-15-ygfQ1tcYF-t0tXMwQIeJktTzBwD_sOZxf2bInZIIgTKJsSQwjmA5qlBA6CrCB_wpjFNGBY1SAkPMhlwqR6DeFsTNXrEqCJVU2iBt2-Pg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.20.26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzt3aHZrNpKDqvzpMD_VejoVjeNJkq-Sd-15-ygfQ1tcYF-t0tXMwQIeJktTzBwD_sOZxf2bInZIIgTKJsSQwjmA5qlBA6CrCB_wpjFNGBY1SAkPMhlwqR6DeFsTNXrEqCJVU2iBt2-Pg/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.20.26.png" width="233" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.joules.com/Women/Jackets-Coats/Coast/Waterproof-Jacket/Antique-Gold?id=V_COAST|ANTGOLD" target="_blank">Joules</a> - £84.95</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbeaA3HxrH2jC0T7b3ayBZ13F1AnytS5c8bfiSUClP2A21IDSP6E7DTs-NduvwI6JvOTTl0MnJcITU_fcvjRMu92RKIIk3FuH29mHyRRkwPPFNEKmS1LwUQRpW9FTY5WXfiiU1BTmuE4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.21.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbeaA3HxrH2jC0T7b3ayBZ13F1AnytS5c8bfiSUClP2A21IDSP6E7DTs-NduvwI6JvOTTl0MnJcITU_fcvjRMu92RKIIk3FuH29mHyRRkwPPFNEKmS1LwUQRpW9FTY5WXfiiU1BTmuE4/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.21.55.png" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.asos.com/only/only-double-breasted-military-a-line-coat/prd/6884500?iid=6884500&affid=14173&channelref=product%20search&mk=abc&currencyid=1&gclid=CjwKEAjw7ZHABRCTr_DV4_ejvgQSJACr-YcwREuS7myZ4kM_2Aj36nrhqaWxm6lFw4qmJR7lB8XssRoCeJfw_wcB" target="_blank">ASOS</a> - £65 (I LOVE this coat but no hood)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MKUOwsJBJPpaDAa4AW3zgiS3fR_59FVNfvgTFJnKwbEFNmdtKwTEXyzlBdcHbXXp4ocvyVk0AJrOHqIX5w371hiZjDv2W_O9NCW76VH7ZaNmnu-PwI8VX5jjDMssZVRRIFKjevE8jNQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.31.32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MKUOwsJBJPpaDAa4AW3zgiS3fR_59FVNfvgTFJnKwbEFNmdtKwTEXyzlBdcHbXXp4ocvyVk0AJrOHqIX5w371hiZjDv2W_O9NCW76VH7ZaNmnu-PwI8VX5jjDMssZVRRIFKjevE8jNQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.31.32.png" width="198" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.superdry.com/womens/jackets/details/63217/winter-rookie-military-jacket-navy" target="_blank">Superdry</a> - £74.99</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsQGCV5bDj-kHYvDlSqy8wiTjTedNQJ_ruGiR7pw2oH6LiVKLoyTqSmKOsi7eQJsDucMqpPcdSnPdIuTF8NwJVn2t_mJAwr2N3Y9A5Zi1As06oXX-4Eqv8iElp5Jwz_Bd61V4IkD-0a8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.28.35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsQGCV5bDj-kHYvDlSqy8wiTjTedNQJ_ruGiR7pw2oH6LiVKLoyTqSmKOsi7eQJsDucMqpPcdSnPdIuTF8NwJVn2t_mJAwr2N3Y9A5Zi1As06oXX-4Eqv8iElp5Jwz_Bd61V4IkD-0a8/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.28.35.png" width="219" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This winter I will be sporting this vibrant number from <a href="http://www.superdry.com/womens/jackets/details/62997/hooded-box-quilt-fuji-jacket--yellow" target="_blank">Superdry</a> - it's the first thing I have bought from Superdry and I am thrilled with the fit and the quality, it's super warm and I will feel safe when the evenings start getting dark. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7RVsxJ3Y7leqhGGkMp_4q7D5ilWeeNwDb3aM2Acvo5p-Afxa8pUQKuIvQMNYkdK8nvAXwuOcUI1tmax0khkMFoOQCzjtATIFSKVjfhSYuNBaLmESqD6uCpznfErTs8hQgX17vbJ5Pz4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.29.23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7RVsxJ3Y7leqhGGkMp_4q7D5ilWeeNwDb3aM2Acvo5p-Afxa8pUQKuIvQMNYkdK8nvAXwuOcUI1tmax0khkMFoOQCzjtATIFSKVjfhSYuNBaLmESqD6uCpznfErTs8hQgX17vbJ5Pz4/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+22.29.23.png" width="215" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has it's first outing today and we got caught in a downpour, I can report I was warm and cosy when I reached my destination but the rest of me, the pram and my changing bag were soaked. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L_eLVQIoePh9KSX4Va6tJ2aJCIZpyJSJqANSuoECTjL5iqTsBXiD8TOWt0Io-GYpjIJlZ0vcnbIoYzymWk8SqmFiXuBVeWdgF3wkEIq10wca14uRb2xYNm9IYXF1iEfCF3h_WCsUYAU/s1600/IMG_8041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L_eLVQIoePh9KSX4Va6tJ2aJCIZpyJSJqANSuoECTjL5iqTsBXiD8TOWt0Io-GYpjIJlZ0vcnbIoYzymWk8SqmFiXuBVeWdgF3wkEIq10wca14uRb2xYNm9IYXF1iEfCF3h_WCsUYAU/s320/IMG_8041.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Obviously in due course I will be purchasing these excellent mother daughter watermelon ponchos for Rose and I </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/279223722/mom-daughter-matching-watermelon-rain?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_b-clothing-other&utm_custom1=349f587f-c6a4-4bca-8692-07513272c3d4&gclid=Cj0KEQjwvve_BRDmg9Kt9ufO15EBEiQAKoc6qvEqkNHNRybt0h4E8jJQ6MvbTsIKlp8sICj8yMCukWUaAiNj8P8HAQ" target="_blank">ETSY</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5FtwTau9GCua60kvXrsRsrvUiZzY6PqhPoNMEKLrzlToIpO0hB0-kSkwhgqFzaTMOEjplPDQ9_j_YnyskHgGVw4BaAI53RNfqjn-_KRUpIWkOGJIsgao6jgBXKIg1rla7Qk2TzxFfFE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.39.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5FtwTau9GCua60kvXrsRsrvUiZzY6PqhPoNMEKLrzlToIpO0hB0-kSkwhgqFzaTMOEjplPDQ9_j_YnyskHgGVw4BaAI53RNfqjn-_KRUpIWkOGJIsgao6jgBXKIg1rla7Qk2TzxFfFE/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-12+at+08.39.39.png" width="289" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you love your coat and would recommend please post in the comments! </span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-76190802186143929612016-10-11T14:57:00.001-07:002016-10-11T14:57:37.370-07:00What I've learnt about breastfeeding so far<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am fairly nervous to write this post as I know breastfeeding stirs a lot of emotions and opinions and so let me be clear that this is a post about how <b>I </b>have found breastfeeding, in the hope that it helps just one person, as I wish I had come across something similar before Rose arrived. Everyone chooses the best way to feed their own baby, the most important part being that the baby gets fed! This is just a few notes on my personal meandering down the breastfeeding road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I was pregnant it felt like every medical professional I came across mentioned breastfeeding, or asked me if I would be breastfeeding, and subsequently ticked all the relevant boxes on my various records and paperwork. At the time I often said I would be breastfeeding just in case I would be in for a deluge of persuasion or information. I had every intention of trying to breastfeed but didn't see the need to discuss it further with these 3rd parties, and when Liam and I discussed it we both agreed no pressure, I would do my best and I hoped I could do it for a minimum of 3 months but if not no problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was in complete denial that this would mean getting my boobs out in public (discreetly obviously, not flasher style), I haven't worn what I would deem a particularly low cut top since 2005 and I don't sunbathe topless, and I have even been called old fashioned because of my prudish ways, so why I thought I would suddenly feel completely different when breastfeeding is beyond me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fast forward and what I wish those multiple 3rd parties had said is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"The reason we are all mentioning breastfeeding so frequently is not because we believe only 'breast is best', the reason we all mention it is because we know it will be hard and we want to make sure that we have reassured you as many times as we possibly can that there is support available to you whenever and however you need it"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcopaupHZ_1tx5lVDiZ0zeP_UX6CXLLUMhzSYF2zcbvw2LxoterWoyCAOoJYxlMKaekaiKkh7Ur0YAhmT7WAy2TIjPcPISOW2_2PmZH-rYxck3jpa8i9C0dh8UijvJiqDydaWxtEj83vA/s1600/IMG_7873.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcopaupHZ_1tx5lVDiZ0zeP_UX6CXLLUMhzSYF2zcbvw2LxoterWoyCAOoJYxlMKaekaiKkh7Ur0YAhmT7WAy2TIjPcPISOW2_2PmZH-rYxck3jpa8i9C0dh8UijvJiqDydaWxtEj83vA/s320/IMG_7873.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The support available is unbelievable, in the hospital a midwife will patiently sit with you for every feed whilst you are there and then a midwife and breastfeeding midwife will arrive the day after you get home to check how things are going. Almost every day there is the opportunity to go and visit a local health visitor or midwife led group when you can get additional support and there are online and telephone support groups. There is no end to the support available because if you have decided to have a go people want to be there for you - so please let them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The reason there are all of these people offering to help is because breastfeeding is not easy!! I know some people (both mum and baby) take to it like a duck to water but the majority of people I have spoken to about this had a rocky start or have at some point found breastfeeding one of the hardest things they have ever done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This sounds negative, which is not my intention, I am writing this because I was completely naive about how hard breastfeeding would be and how hard I would find it emotionally when it was not plain sailing, and I want people to know they are not alone if they are in those early days and looking for someone to say 'It's not just you'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here are the things I wish I had known:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Breastfeeding is not completely intuitive</b> - you have never done it before and your baby has never done it before, your baby will know how to get to your boob and that they want the milk but they do not arrive knowing how to achieve the perfect latch (if only!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>It hurts</b> - at some point it is going to hurt - a lot! When people say feed through it please listen as they are completely right and it genuinely works. Nipple cream is expensive but worth every penny so buy some before you go in to hospital if you can and start applying after every feed, when I forget I always regret it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You have to talk about it</b> - don't be afraid to mention that you are finding it hard to your friends, family, NCT buds or the health visitor, don't think there is anything wrong in admitting you feel like a failure for not being perfect at this task that our bodies are supposedly made for. New mums are a sensitive bunch and boobs are a very personal thing so often people may be reluctant to enquire or offer help until they know you would like to talk about it, mention it and I am sure everyone will give you a hug, make you a cup of tea and then talk through how things can get better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>It is exhausting</b> - every baby feeds at different intervals and for different lengths of time, don't expect a schedule you've read in a book as every single baby is completely individual and you will soon know what seems right for you and the bubba. Eat and drink as much as you can, when you can, it is surprising how fast the feeds come round and you need to keep up your strength to keep the two of you going. When you are breastfeeding is not the time to be thinking about dieting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>It doesn't magically improve after a month</b> - I was completely convinced this was the case, it is different for everyone, it could be 2 days or 6 months. Parts of breastfeeding will improve without you noticing and day by day it will get easier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>It can be wonderful</b> - When it is just you and the baby, in a quiet and comfy space and you get the perfect latch it is wonderful, your baby will be happy and content and growing big and strong and you will have a moment to relax and enjoy the quiet and marvel at this wonderful baby you made. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>You can eat as much chocolate as you like</b> - the baby needs it ;) fill your boots! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Do a breast pad check after a feed</b> - I recently went in 4 shops on Albany Road before I realised one was poking out of my top! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Wear breast pads</b> - not necessarily all the time but in the first couple of months there will definitely be leaky moments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Always remember a happy mummy equals a happy baby - do whatever is best for you and your family and don't worry about anyone else! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">At 9 or 10 weeks I became resigned to feeding in public and I now try to be more care free about getting my boob out when out and about. No matter how many times people tell me that no one can say anything, or that it is their problem not mine if someone doesn't like it, it doesn't stop me being worried I am offending someone or that someone is going to tut or send me a judgey look. As I said, new mums are a very sensitive bunch and a judgemental glance can send you in to spirals of self doubt (no resting bitch faces near me please! ;)) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have now been breastfeeding for 11 weeks and I feel like I deserve a medal, whether you're feeding using breast milk or formula, feeding a baby whichever way is best for your family is still a relentless and tiring task which takes up all of your time and energy. I know I would have given up breastfeeding by now without Liam's encouragement and the support of my NCT friends, I still have 'I can't do this anymore!' moments but they are less frequent and mainly come in the growth spurt weeks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Helpful hints I've found along the way:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Use an app in those early days to track baby's feeds</i> - in my sleep deprived state I couldn't remember when Rose had last been fed or for how long and midwives will ask you to see if there are any changes you could make to help with early weight gain and an app could help. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Expressing is your friend</i> - if you can express some milk it will mean your support team can feed baby while you have a nap or get some fresh air. If you are feeding by formula perhaps have the gear out ready in the kitchen for someone visiting to be able to make up the bottle if that would help. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Have snacks and water ready for night feeds</i> - remember going back to sleep means getting up again in a couple of hours and so a snack will provide energy for that next feed, whether it is formula or breastmilk, my bedside table always has a multitude of random foods available. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Layer your clothes </i>- going into the colder months you are going to want to keep covered up when it's time to feed and it also means you can feed more discreetly when out and about if you need to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Have a muslin ready</i> - when I'm at home I always start feeding and realise there isn't one near me and then play the dicey 'please don't puke!' game until I can get to one to burp Rose! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Ask for help</i> - everyone has had a different feeding journey and will have a random hint or two that might make all the difference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Helpful products:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I love these Tommee Tippee wipes to use on Rose's dummy when we're out and about and they can be used on bottles too:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU7FEEPHbT4JdXH-sT3bt8JbGQFxCr_UDWNKw7J3VyYGRAU12n9Pz1_dLLlB7MJEIKihvbmjUiAmP_uA36RauzT1aB_YyCnRtw6pSl_62iUMOWSWq83V47a-jvb6YWKytwz-Wq4WcNaM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-11+at+22.18.24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU7FEEPHbT4JdXH-sT3bt8JbGQFxCr_UDWNKw7J3VyYGRAU12n9Pz1_dLLlB7MJEIKihvbmjUiAmP_uA36RauzT1aB_YyCnRtw6pSl_62iUMOWSWq83V47a-jvb6YWKytwz-Wq4WcNaM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-11+at+22.18.24.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Available from Amazon, Sainsbury's etc</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A friend highly recommends this pump, available on Amazon or eBay, I have ordered one but not had a go yet:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9pFV0qB7LLwpsqlzvhdqZ3O-c9g_jTUbT86n3R8zBOpNB3tJHS0g_kmVQx9H1aa6JGHVcoQ2qHzyBHntKe6H2eC2NrDqxkEExbbLrmVHR08V0NmJcFfHBNXosOyxFe_ULkeqat5MhQY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-11+at+22.32.32.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9pFV0qB7LLwpsqlzvhdqZ3O-c9g_jTUbT86n3R8zBOpNB3tJHS0g_kmVQx9H1aa6JGHVcoQ2qHzyBHntKe6H2eC2NrDqxkEExbbLrmVHR08V0NmJcFfHBNXosOyxFe_ULkeqat5MhQY/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-11+at+22.32.32.png" width="314" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm obsessed with my Matalan vests as they are super stretchy!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvPr85-awKO_U6BUdzrV6ERieQJVqEnd0__dVlWLMd8kdXOysYqomzxuvjsS3a89ZfGQCPPNqxUVh3geKvOwU0qsOjGtfgsBx7Glfrgk_p1gJis2qqzow_GS__5gX_YLbPi3oG4tt_kg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-11+at+22.41.47.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvPr85-awKO_U6BUdzrV6ERieQJVqEnd0__dVlWLMd8kdXOysYqomzxuvjsS3a89ZfGQCPPNqxUVh3geKvOwU0qsOjGtfgsBx7Glfrgk_p1gJis2qqzow_GS__5gX_YLbPi3oG4tt_kg/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-10-11+at+22.41.47.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Moving forward...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For now I am taking each day as it comes and moving towards the 3 month mark as that was what I hoped to achieve, and then I will see where we are and what seems right for each day after that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I must say that I don't feel like there is any pressure on me to breastfeed, I would like to keep going and Rose seems very happy, I just find it hard sometimes and wanted to get my thoughts down 'on paper' in case they would be of comfort to someone else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have found little information on combination feeding so if you do a combination of both breastfeeding and formula please feel free to share how you have found it in the comments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the meantime...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcDX2hR5Y2VYW4NlPXUU_wAEf9nHYkpiHuxGj1hdH44AACGGELUj-Rgt_xMGRZRpWMo6lZHzhtkaCbPhSWYysnAhdTuKNZ_Sn2qWCKNznlw0kYm-ZtSCiWXdYUkPpGHkEHPv6Sa5DIQQ/s1600/IMG_7874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcDX2hR5Y2VYW4NlPXUU_wAEf9nHYkpiHuxGj1hdH44AACGGELUj-Rgt_xMGRZRpWMo6lZHzhtkaCbPhSWYysnAhdTuKNZ_Sn2qWCKNznlw0kYm-ZtSCiWXdYUkPpGHkEHPv6Sa5DIQQ/s320/IMG_7874.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-70758838601960445122016-09-21T14:57:00.001-07:002016-09-21T14:57:26.218-07:00Judgey McJudgersons - It's never 'just you'<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A whirlwind few weeks with Rose, I can't believe she is now 8 weeks old, in some ways it feels like the time has flown past and in others it seems like a lifetime ago that I went in to labour!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found week 6 the hardest so far, I think I tried to do too much and I ended up late, sweaty and miserable to everything I attempted and felt like a bit fat failure on all fronts. I cried a lot and didn't feel good enough, and would then feel guilty and repeatedly tell Rose how much I loved her - it was a rollercoaster for everyone! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Week 6 me looking tired, unimpressed and stressed in the car! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxs2aF6ImjK73KUHR3HgCeDBGxhHsWeg8zx2bvdfUwZscGCcsaxWolqvoa5mJn_Zw0XvxxLx7CbhqytHSjYI7xC75377N5W5TXqmeBXSXcAN7PWE6KEp-XutM3Nx46OnWXQVRXU-HwRi0/s1600/IMG_6857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxs2aF6ImjK73KUHR3HgCeDBGxhHsWeg8zx2bvdfUwZscGCcsaxWolqvoa5mJn_Zw0XvxxLx7CbhqytHSjYI7xC75377N5W5TXqmeBXSXcAN7PWE6KEp-XutM3Nx46OnWXQVRXU-HwRi0/s320/IMG_6857.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best thing I've read and which I now know to be true is that it is never <b>'just you'</b>, anything that you are thinking, feeling, worrying about is something that you can guarantee other new mums are thinking as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel constantly judged, about how I hold my baby, burp my baby, feed my baby, dress my baby, transport my baby, change my baby... and the list goes on. A lot of this perceived judgement is in my head and I am in fact judging myself, there isn't always a third party involved! Being a mum makes me constantly second guess myself in a way I never have before, and then it occurred to me this week that I am doing a 24/7 job for which I have had almost no training or experience, so no wonder I have no idea if I am doing it right!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UED8-AIsqz3k2ZfYqJWqcD6KZKedcClhXIUgrzSGfVzPFCIyjOat4StEQOK47I55YKMFjZv9byOFve9WG85fsSIGn7ZBJXyyYfa3mDsVCeOjTg8Hyqq5RZuWROW1URgXQJtagrfw4rk/s1600/IMG_6448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UED8-AIsqz3k2ZfYqJWqcD6KZKedcClhXIUgrzSGfVzPFCIyjOat4StEQOK47I55YKMFjZv9byOFve9WG85fsSIGn7ZBJXyyYfa3mDsVCeOjTg8Hyqq5RZuWROW1URgXQJtagrfw4rk/s320/IMG_6448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my calmer and more rational moments I know that I am not being constantly judged (although I have definitely come across some Judgey McJudgersons (even a midwife!)) and that the look on someone's face sometimes means "should I tell her there is an easier way", </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I wish I had worked that out faster", </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I think I fancy a cheese sandwich" and the list goes on...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I am feeling strong I will say "if there is an easier / quicker / more straight forward way please tell me as I am not sure I am doing it right!", other times I will wait until I am alone and apologise profusely to Rose for being a crap mummy. Again, rollercoaster almost sums it up! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b6heZ-5qyg0asGNVD91GKTzd6ltYOXC5YM4U-KFCpbAO-PcbmshGk1V9DPDmB47q7XI7SXMGQSkS7ZwOoHWYe5eXMn50ewr-NrNd1fCW6abditiadiuCxpeBKno7WcM2k9Gm2TAH9Cc/s1600/IMG_7051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b6heZ-5qyg0asGNVD91GKTzd6ltYOXC5YM4U-KFCpbAO-PcbmshGk1V9DPDmB47q7XI7SXMGQSkS7ZwOoHWYe5eXMn50ewr-NrNd1fCW6abditiadiuCxpeBKno7WcM2k9Gm2TAH9Cc/s320/IMG_7051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best way to stay sane is to be honest and always talk about it, and I couldn't have got through these weeks without my NCT mummy friends, the constant whatsapps have been a life savour and it is unbelievably reassuring to know no question is too random or stupid and that it really isn't 'just me'. New mums are a really vulnerable group and we spend a lot of time on our own feeling like we have no idea what we are doing and so the support of people in the same boat is invaluable, if you didn't head to an NCT class or similar don't be afraid to try lots of the local groups and get chatting to new mums there, everyone will be happy to talk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9dwsX4GlKDlIcvVPSjO2N68h43CNZEdiZt5L-9GV5SxnpR__ZOZhCjfuXQFJh4R1EkhCZcn-Yl-sF-OM9XY7vSvRQWkfpXoir8Vnfb4SC8igEcPqu2LCfaHTIKd0pf9pFXcqbhcpKU4/s1600/IMG_7047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9dwsX4GlKDlIcvVPSjO2N68h43CNZEdiZt5L-9GV5SxnpR__ZOZhCjfuXQFJh4R1EkhCZcn-Yl-sF-OM9XY7vSvRQWkfpXoir8Vnfb4SC8igEcPqu2LCfaHTIKd0pf9pFXcqbhcpKU4/s320/IMG_7047.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you need a quick burst of online support and positivity when you're on a bus / coffee shop / dr's waiting room etc I would head to Instagram rather than Google, on Instagram you will find the honest mums keeping it real and offering real help and advice and reminding you we are all winging it. Google sometimes offers a rabbit hole of Judgey McJudgersons (not always, but sometimes!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rose is an absolute joy and I LOVE being her mummy, I can't believe I get to be with her every day and her smiles are like rays of sunshine. That said, this is the hardest thing I have ever done and I know nobody said it was easy but nothing can prepare you for how all consuming it really is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The point of this blog - if you are a new mum remember <b>it really isn't just you</b>, anything you are thinking or feeling can be shared with your support network and no one will think you are a wally, they will rush to your side with words of wisdom / hugs / tea / wine / cake - I can't believe how much cake!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />If you are a friend of mine and already have babies know that you are a constant source of inspiration and I mentally high five you all day long for leading the way and being such awesome mums! I really couldn't do this without you all, so thank you! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucgEroQvhOePu1DQa5QSDDgrIB5wYuoSX3Stji55ieLttu7O6Z8p8Q0H4xxgsicgKUzKpykyVdK9pY8UHMwfDarNvrXQeluy9v6D_FvsfxXpynZXnZwYNZKjOu4fqKm24hH1Fer6k4yg/s1600/IMG_6382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucgEroQvhOePu1DQa5QSDDgrIB5wYuoSX3Stji55ieLttu7O6Z8p8Q0H4xxgsicgKUzKpykyVdK9pY8UHMwfDarNvrXQeluy9v6D_FvsfxXpynZXnZwYNZKjOu4fqKm24hH1Fer6k4yg/s320/IMG_6382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-76104490126621465262016-09-21T12:12:00.000-07:002016-09-21T12:12:28.745-07:00eBay Maternity sale!!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now that Baby Giles is here </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am selling some of my maternity clothes on eBay, they are all in good condition and I have tried to add accurate descriptions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you have liked any of the items on my blog over the last few months it may be worth taking a look and please share if you have any pregnant friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Brands include JoJo Maman Bebe, New Look and Vertbaudet and the listing will last for 7 days from today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The link to my eBay items is here - <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/gile-clai/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=" target="_blank">Link to maternity bargains </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are a few of the items listed:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVWiTgA8B0xuQ7gIYPQyNIeUwWV_ts09iTz0_OzSXbR8y16kOWWE6JK7iy9LBaKFL3MBYfsV-mNc7Gc7wut3lUqAL60TTSNgqQuN7L_ROi32J7li98Nrx4xHaTxYJHWT32Hz1aoqME8E/s1600/FullSizeRender+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="New Look maternity tops" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVWiTgA8B0xuQ7gIYPQyNIeUwWV_ts09iTz0_OzSXbR8y16kOWWE6JK7iy9LBaKFL3MBYfsV-mNc7Gc7wut3lUqAL60TTSNgqQuN7L_ROi32J7li98Nrx4xHaTxYJHWT32Hz1aoqME8E/s320/FullSizeRender+2.jpg" title="New Look maternity tops" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzgm9_QfDgpEIWl1O824i9faQp86aXL9LCRjWsKO3ze9J1g4kYfvjyPfdzyVBJjP3zoKaUqoYk3OGHUtvRg6V9cdqRgWt66BP6LvyT2JFPqQWDUjjet3nknv4CZ_1WkCp5XiAMsUrsa4/s1600/IMG_7204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="H&M maternity jeans" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzgm9_QfDgpEIWl1O824i9faQp86aXL9LCRjWsKO3ze9J1g4kYfvjyPfdzyVBJjP3zoKaUqoYk3OGHUtvRg6V9cdqRgWt66BP6LvyT2JFPqQWDUjjet3nknv4CZ_1WkCp5XiAMsUrsa4/s320/IMG_7204.JPG" title="H&M maternity jeans" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghG1zhABPlDYTWyMWQ9SRRxRDsICQVfGhxwmsnomIdaCVJhmt-421LIZooLpUz1gwsBaCwQdTZAbSclnsoiPOSGIUMimugDOhsZA0YDUXf9Qy0mA9y-TBrjRErSV7KiNzJAx72TRIX3H4/s1600/IMG_7208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="navy and white H&M maternity jumper" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghG1zhABPlDYTWyMWQ9SRRxRDsICQVfGhxwmsnomIdaCVJhmt-421LIZooLpUz1gwsBaCwQdTZAbSclnsoiPOSGIUMimugDOhsZA0YDUXf9Qy0mA9y-TBrjRErSV7KiNzJAx72TRIX3H4/s320/IMG_7208.JPG" title="navy and white H&M maternity jumper" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jMJnDGSkeA0yg10GpsWQxphulY2GHLNXHFxK3_Zha0nKVLroNupMmMZYNq1hFPo-KZuzw4_a3eZp95KmY2RlfEtU0UXa84rbsRjlGrxe278U_b-0vMTg0BGRRKe_Rm3eukrmjyxDInY/s1600/IMG_7217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Navy and white stripe Jojo maman bebe maternity top" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jMJnDGSkeA0yg10GpsWQxphulY2GHLNXHFxK3_Zha0nKVLroNupMmMZYNq1hFPo-KZuzw4_a3eZp95KmY2RlfEtU0UXa84rbsRjlGrxe278U_b-0vMTg0BGRRKe_Rm3eukrmjyxDInY/s320/IMG_7217.JPG" title="Navy and white stripe Jojo maman bebe maternity top" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb93qH60EyFvrF5FWff2nlAsqb4uFAf7omaeOgfWlxMj_WbXYQ83Pth3IEzZ_11ETL177vPIduae5ymj1UU4bL0Lcj_3aoGrYtMBuS1_lNwY1GxuYYWetrhPVvxJG8TnYUdtt9DoBzESA/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Denim maternity shirt" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb93qH60EyFvrF5FWff2nlAsqb4uFAf7omaeOgfWlxMj_WbXYQ83Pth3IEzZ_11ETL177vPIduae5ymj1UU4bL0Lcj_3aoGrYtMBuS1_lNwY1GxuYYWetrhPVvxJG8TnYUdtt9DoBzESA/s320/IMG_7220.JPG" title="Denim maternity shirt" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy to answer any questions! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks everyone! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Claire </span></div>
shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-3656229368630586532016-08-26T06:18:00.002-07:002016-08-26T06:18:15.202-07:003...is the magic number <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />3 really is the magic number! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week I turned 33, it marked 3 years since Liam and I started trying to have a family and we are finally a family of 3! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxDuU_rMDKvlK09-vKsHMcD0R0jU9E-DzD8jU3RFB2nPSd6lEC-FOBrWK-jZRK2cAVQUHVexJLr8fyZ8P_9Dg5ZKsGMehyphenhyphenMeaDa5c_9RZiOOPfF-AqhnjtXhffmBNjs3I35n0SQ3c7ag/s1600/Homer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxDuU_rMDKvlK09-vKsHMcD0R0jU9E-DzD8jU3RFB2nPSd6lEC-FOBrWK-jZRK2cAVQUHVexJLr8fyZ8P_9Dg5ZKsGMehyphenhyphenMeaDa5c_9RZiOOPfF-AqhnjtXhffmBNjs3I35n0SQ3c7ag/s320/Homer.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a rollercoaster of emotions, having a baby, not least because of the raging hormones which don't leave once the baby arrives. This week I've felt particularly emotional as it has dawned on me that Rose really is here to stay and that our dream has finally come true. One that I thought wouldn't be realised without a lot more effort and hope and so the fact that in the blink of eye Rose is here feels like a little miracle. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYLWsZK_XgWdhpEHH3hK8POLKAkdKob45MW55TNuF07r-Q1oddfxiE9RFCf4aWqZ7Sfkd-sZaHJYB0eJ-aTM1TIF1nTL3vPDOkqrT5fRYKGnpIOr62tsiJ2yppF3s5-JedIZKJ3_qlzg/s1600/IMG_6470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYLWsZK_XgWdhpEHH3hK8POLKAkdKob45MW55TNuF07r-Q1oddfxiE9RFCf4aWqZ7Sfkd-sZaHJYB0eJ-aTM1TIF1nTL3vPDOkqrT5fRYKGnpIOr62tsiJ2yppF3s5-JedIZKJ3_qlzg/s320/IMG_6470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being a Mum is really hard work and high fives to all of you that have more than one child! I had expected the constant crying, nappies and feeding but so far I have been pleasantly surprised that:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can leave the house </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rosie is already smiling </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can get by on not a lot of sleep</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You make lots of new mummy friends </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cuddles and naps solve a lot of life's problems </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am getting to watch a lot of Grey's Anatomy ;)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have not been as thrilled by:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still being a sweaty betty (I genuinely thought this would calm down postpartum)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weight of the car seat and pram </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That you can't 'nip' anywhere </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you think you have an aspect of parenthood nailed you will be reminded that you don't (every time) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Different parts of your body still hurt - turns out having a baby wreaks havoc with you - who knew?! </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I'm still blogging! Admittedly this post has taken several days to get written and finished, but it <i>is</i> written and finished which is a small victory in retaining a sense of self in my new role as a mummy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL78zBMhvC27nZ7-G0o1w7ayDAUammV2F0bLYF9byQt0CxsP5w-r_Re7_i3OnJT0vax7PHKWovpon6_4wf8xJYjI1sdQVY3DLOSN3DlAfPTkRnNwhVaVagsyujzMEL3globsCtIS2Bbps/s1600/IMG_6639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL78zBMhvC27nZ7-G0o1w7ayDAUammV2F0bLYF9byQt0CxsP5w-r_Re7_i3OnJT0vax7PHKWovpon6_4wf8xJYjI1sdQVY3DLOSN3DlAfPTkRnNwhVaVagsyujzMEL3globsCtIS2Bbps/s320/IMG_6639.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week I am thankful for:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Helpful friends and family</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whatsapp</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.infacol.co.uk/" target="_blank">Infacol</a> (again!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.medela.co.uk/breastfeeding/products/breast-pumps/swing" target="_blank">Medela</a> breast pump</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In terms of the clothes that have got me through this week, I have discovered wrap tops! Never a fan previously they now serve the purpose of helping breastfeed if you have a vest underneath, these are all in the sale at the moment:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.asos.com/Boohoo/Boohoo-Draped-Dipped-Hem-Top/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=6456778&CTARef=Recently%20Viewed&CTARef=Recently%20Viewed" target="_blank">ASOS</a> - £6</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYSIFFjAKkTkVwDLWzekV8dxwL5BTP_Vts3TMYcvTxCYnv1wXygNsykp9yHHVpSDoYOIkOM3q-gicQvH3UBvcgizRTwmdrHgOZ8Lbvk8Jfu9aN3BRPdiVMjZ4_-M1bl8O3jTot4mrE5c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-23+at+22.59.51.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYSIFFjAKkTkVwDLWzekV8dxwL5BTP_Vts3TMYcvTxCYnv1wXygNsykp9yHHVpSDoYOIkOM3q-gicQvH3UBvcgizRTwmdrHgOZ8Lbvk8Jfu9aN3BRPdiVMjZ4_-M1bl8O3jTot4mrE5c/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-23+at+22.59.51.png" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.boohoo.com/restofworld/tops/maddie-pleated-crepe-wrap-front-top/invt/dzz85072" target="_blank">Boohoo</a> - £6</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3uw66cZS6KLgbUb4_Nl_xOFdrHZ6vBx_qPgnavHs2B9rsKsYypdXJSvVO5N2u7Gbrrsz_i2UmFqWhPt4Tc-dlIFw5nYGAVq6yYJFbvvrvsh1aVxvpLShIsMvXvQKIhG6TXoZHXE3-C4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-26+at+14.00.11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3uw66cZS6KLgbUb4_Nl_xOFdrHZ6vBx_qPgnavHs2B9rsKsYypdXJSvVO5N2u7Gbrrsz_i2UmFqWhPt4Tc-dlIFw5nYGAVq6yYJFbvvrvsh1aVxvpLShIsMvXvQKIhG6TXoZHXE3-C4/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-26+at+14.00.11.png" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/tops/orange-wrap-sleeveless-shirt_385232981" target="_blank">New Look</a> - £7.79</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP9-dSs0H8DdLb13YZyJVNmBNUuArhoX6HK4bByvVl7PynexhUZIB2Q_d775SkIV_U9eqNxLn2naByFUAFeiUDZ9szFHQcaCz3GN_r9MSMGVerUOpqG84LgeR-4K80B8fePNbDvxo8ps/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-26+at+14.04.23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP9-dSs0H8DdLb13YZyJVNmBNUuArhoX6HK4bByvVl7PynexhUZIB2Q_d775SkIV_U9eqNxLn2naByFUAFeiUDZ9szFHQcaCz3GN_r9MSMGVerUOpqG84LgeR-4K80B8fePNbDvxo8ps/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-26+at+14.04.23.png" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big plan for this weekend is to sort the nursery so expect my next post to be decor themed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anything that helps you get through the first weeks with a newborn please post in the comments! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-77041158494042585642016-08-16T15:04:00.001-07:002016-08-16T15:04:15.592-07:00Help...I smell like baby sick! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 weeks in and the smells are getting more intense as the days bring more challenges and adventures!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've had sleepless nights and endless cuddles, as well as a mountain of nappies and lots of washing, a newborn is unbelievably time consuming and I have had to hold my hands up and admit that time no longer makes any sense and I should just go with the flow (harder than it sounds for me!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thoroughly enjoying the cuddles, and I get my fair share being off work, but it does mean I am there for more of the sharing of bodily fluids - more often than not baby puke! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have now had it down my top, in my hair and on most of my postpartum outfits and so I have a certain odour about me these days, feel free to not mention it! You may remember I did a post on nursing tops a while back and loads of you suggested wearing a vest under all other tops and you were right it is really helpful, being a sweaty betty it's not great in the current weather but it means I can whip off a layer whenever the top one has been puked on! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What has got me through the last week is Infacol and the fact that Rose is now much more alert and awake and so we are starting to really get to know each other. I am spotting cues for her various needs and she seems to respond more to me comforting her when she's having a poody. Unfortunately I have not found a cue for sick yet but am getting much more speedy at swooping in with a muslin - remember to have muslins everywhere! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If anyone has any advice for getting sick out of clothes let me know in the comments, I am a HUGE fan of Dettol for the washing machine so in the meantime I will be hoping that and Persil does the trick! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buy Infacol!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Always have a muslin about your person!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Layer your clothing in every weather!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wear a ton of deodorant! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhh4_DxXW9GdcmSrF9csBwAyL2584x5b8tFHDIQd9cL0CnQkx3H3zy-BRfjwUSlNDXxH4tvSQH4xszyRp2Ome8UlcOpPLJ4wzUk87A6rbU-XQFfqqUvAOKPCNMpraMYtolOnr6EXqd3A/s1600/IMG_6445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhh4_DxXW9GdcmSrF9csBwAyL2584x5b8tFHDIQd9cL0CnQkx3H3zy-BRfjwUSlNDXxH4tvSQH4xszyRp2Ome8UlcOpPLJ4wzUk87A6rbU-XQFfqqUvAOKPCNMpraMYtolOnr6EXqd3A/s320/IMG_6445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I forget, I also discovered this magazine this week, really honest and reassuring, highly recommend you check it out:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0haNZrBo5RR9aENU15dDA_SSu5H-Mox_TM9Fi2b2YH-e9_BD62sfsgjeDAnQ5UMo2N5un-KZCULeujRjte-vRn9mfaw9U19ckN9gmjiHzYCtmzkHv6GoDCNoqYhjqk9wH7NLnV2CWRM/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0haNZrBo5RR9aENU15dDA_SSu5H-Mox_TM9Fi2b2YH-e9_BD62sfsgjeDAnQ5UMo2N5un-KZCULeujRjte-vRn9mfaw9U19ckN9gmjiHzYCtmzkHv6GoDCNoqYhjqk9wH7NLnV2CWRM/s320/IMG_6465.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope everyone is having a great week! </span><br />
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<br />shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-41610499291839468002016-08-11T16:17:00.001-07:002016-08-11T16:17:33.736-07:00Things that got me through the first two weeks with a newborn <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are like us and are at home with your first newborn you will feel like you want to buy anything that someone promises will make life easier - whether it's friends, family, the person in the next bed in the hospital or your midwife / health visitor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life with a newborn is relentless and you will find hours disappear in moments and the nappy changes and feeds seem constant, don't worry as you also lose hours to staring at the glorious human you made that is now the centre of your universe and everything they do is fascinating! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what did we have / buy that made the first 2 weeks easier?</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Support</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breastfeeding is not as easy as some mums make it look and it is not as easy as having a go and everything is peachy. There is a ton of support available so make sure you take advantage of it, don't shy away from discussing it, get all the support you can, it really will make a difference. 3 weeks in and I still don't have it completely nailed and friends and I are still hitting the local breastfeeding sessions to ask questions and get new tips. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wet wipes and muslins </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You cannot have enough of these - your first nappy changes you will go through loads of wet wipes, you will get better at this and hopefully not need to buy as many! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have muslins around the house, in your lounge, nursery, kitchen etc, no one knows when sick, tears (yours and theirs) will strike and they can also be used to bundle up a wriggly baby or comfort them (as well as mopping up rogue unexpected wee on your changing table!). </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nappies </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will never have enough! At the same time, running out is a good reason to have to nip to a shop with a small goal in mind when you need to leave the house in the early days. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chocolate </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buy loads, even if you haven't been a big chocolate eater before (I was not, now I'm practically a chocaholic) you will find a quick Wispa or Twix will give you much needed calories and a sugar boost in between a feed / on a walk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankfully a lot of my friends who are already mums gave me lots of sweets and chocolate before the baby arrived - they knew the score. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Milk / teabags / toilet rolls</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For you and all your visitors, leave out so people can see them and help themselves - enough said. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baby Tracker App</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is one of many available but have it ready so you can keep a track of feeds and nappies, you may not need it for long but the midwife will ask you questions about regularity and in my sleep deprived state I struggled to know the answers, this app has been a godsend! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Sleepyhead</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check this out if your baby is going in a fairly big bedside crib, it helped our baby to sleep in our room as the first couple of nights she wouldn't settle, she is much more cosy and happy in the sleepyhead and I am assured by friends who have them that she will not grow out of it as quickly as it looks like she will. I would also be delighted if sleepyhead made these in my size!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A dummy</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am extremely self conscious confessing that we have used a dummy as I know some people have extreme views on them, but when we hit the first night of almost constant inconsolable crying we reached for a dummy and our beloved baby was instantly soothed and then fell asleep. No amount of feeding, shushing, singing, rocking etc had calmed her down and we really need the momentary calm that the dummy brought. We didn't let her have it for long but it brought enough distraction and soothing for us to be able to move forward with other ways of calming her down, such as swaddling and going for a quick walk around the block.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other tips</span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leave a night light / lamp on near your changing table if in another room as it makes it easier to change the nappy of your newborn without both of you being blinded by the main light at 2am. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have changing apparatus upstairs and downstairs, particularly for mum, I found getting up and down the stairs was painful and took an age in the first 3 days. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hydrate - drink lots of water and have a drink on your bedside table for those night time feeds. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Express - it will give you a break, help your milk supply and help your partner to support you. Our baby lost a lot of weight in the early days and expressing helped make sure there was plenty of milk for top up feeds and we were soon back on the right track. It also means that if I have dropped off to sleep unexpectedly and the baby needs feeding Liam can make a call on whether he really needs to wake me up or I can have a little extra rest.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ask questions - of anyone you know with kids - they will not laugh and there is no question too silly, they will genuinely be happy to help.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a muslin with you for each feed - I have still not mastered this and regularly have milk / sick on my clothes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make sure you have plenty of bin bags / have contacted the council re hygiene bags, as you will need these for all of the nappies. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pre buy some thank you cards and stamps so that they are ready to be sent if you want to, no one will expect a quick response from you but I've enjoyed writing short notes to thank people for thinking of us during nap time. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get some fresh air - it clears the mind, makes you relax your shoulders and your baby may fall asleep! </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Patience </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This pearl of wisdom is from Daddy Giles, I asked him what should be on this list and he also named the items above but this one above all else. It will be really hard, relentless and you should ask for as much support as you need, but no one said it would be easy and it really is totally worth it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other people will have their own hints and tips and so I hope this post starts a conversation so we can help all the new mums out there, these are just a couple of things that have made the first few weeks of parenthood easier for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every day is a challenge and a privilege - bring on the next 3 weeks! </span><br />
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<br />shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608282328682529919.post-55733535148422595982016-08-02T14:56:00.001-07:002016-08-02T14:56:55.604-07:00In to labour and postpartum <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The break in blogging was because beautiful Rose finally arrived on the 23rd, we are loving parenthood and the challenges that a newborn brings, it's tiring and relentless but totally worth it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those that don't know getting pregnant was a long journey and we feel so blessed that we now have Rosie in our lives, anyone trying to get pregnant and not finding the light at the end of the tunnel please keep the faith. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what about the clothes! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won't go in to any details about how Rosie came in to the world but there were a few outfit changes, the first time I went in to the hospital for a check up and found out I was in pre-labour I was wearing jeans and a vest, which is pretty much what I wore every day that last week (both H&M). It was so hot and nothing was comfortable! The last time I was admitted and stayed I was wearing a pair of H&M leggings and a khaki Flintstones t shirt of Liam's, I was in pain but comfy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In terms of what I took to the hospital to wear, I took 3 nightshirts, and I wore all three, one that inevitably gets a bit dirty, one that I changed in to after she arrived that was good for breastfeeding and one that I wore when we had visitors at the hospital. All of them were button down so great for breastfeeding and none of them were maternity, I had bought them all in larger sizes. The first two were from Primark (£8 AND £3) and the latter from Laura Ashley in the sale (£18), I have had a quick look online to find a few items along the same lines:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Navy and white stripe from <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/g532268s2#708433" target="_blank">Next</a> - £25</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqybrVKO3ofbkntaFFFPyZ00ypUoWoup9Agqc1d3XVu1WgeGT5pr7sCfDyLWQKCrIHnMgHhnnqFARXanEXJYS6H8KLehCA-NgXR38IpKAGS4KT6hCnQZtzZ5Obfgvva96QHeG6WcSNa4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-02+at+21.54.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqybrVKO3ofbkntaFFFPyZ00ypUoWoup9Agqc1d3XVu1WgeGT5pr7sCfDyLWQKCrIHnMgHhnnqFARXanEXJYS6H8KLehCA-NgXR38IpKAGS4KT6hCnQZtzZ5Obfgvva96QHeG6WcSNa4/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-02+at+21.54.53.png" width="217" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pink from <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/linen-blend-nightshirt/p/p22471354?image=SD_02_T37_6703_A0_X_EC_90&color=PINK&prevPage=plp&pdpredirect" target="_blank">M&S</a> - £28</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7FrCI-3ty6xUHbzMXlh9cY0CF7aLdBnzm4CISZOBf3JL3Vr1gYW7tu3bXpSJWmKMLhrLCm94t9RrPVzFkjiueSLM3oHx3B2jqzsD18gYoPdNM5N2oXT0RcNWuBpIgMhEI__Ls0V0BDk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-02+at+21.55.58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7FrCI-3ty6xUHbzMXlh9cY0CF7aLdBnzm4CISZOBf3JL3Vr1gYW7tu3bXpSJWmKMLhrLCm94t9RrPVzFkjiueSLM3oHx3B2jqzsD18gYoPdNM5N2oXT0RcNWuBpIgMhEI__Ls0V0BDk/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-02+at+21.55.58.png" width="191" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our NCT instructor suggested taking in a dress or leggings without a seam to wear home, in case you end up needing a c-section, so this is something to bear in mind when packing your hospital bag. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I got home my trusty joggers and oversized t-shirts came in to play, you will crave comfort clothes those first few days so if you are nearing your due date make sure they are all clean, you may also want to make sure there are lots of fluffy towels on hand for your showers (which will start to feel like a spa) as the ones in hospital are like tea towels and you will only want really soft materials on your body.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few days in and I was back in my maternity jeans and H&M black trousers, and I have worn this New Look top almost every day (it is being washed constantly!). I have found it is the most easy and discreet one for breastfeeding but unfortunately it is sold out everywhere in other colours in my size. You can still get the navy on ASOS or direct from New Look. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzk35SmSBCnAXAHf3JHK4q-8qj1qXUmL57OWNGj5HDp4aQcaJlF9GSQNi0uz4PSvZHW5dVn0iq-C8nJWLaSThulHkJP3xbpUt6GBxJvN7fg5URNyFIQvAWfiT_CF2G_JrBea5SktX0-U/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzk35SmSBCnAXAHf3JHK4q-8qj1qXUmL57OWNGj5HDp4aQcaJlF9GSQNi0uz4PSvZHW5dVn0iq-C8nJWLaSThulHkJP3xbpUt6GBxJvN7fg5URNyFIQvAWfiT_CF2G_JrBea5SktX0-U/s320/IMG_6188.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also saw the latchpal online which seemed like a great idea but is only available in the US, a friend bought me the toy ties from JoJo Maman Bebe and I have found they can be used for the same purpose - worth checking out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.latchpal.com/shop/the-latchpal/" target="_blank">Latchpal</a> - </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pyycWqGSCP3qKlnS1D7z7tIkbPLUonjYT47H7evAOssOxAN9GZhjqtyjTq8D7Iaku_M6vNWO-pHzfH7p_ev_CRtwx1vY2XlZjT6ECr9VRYHQ3rknEdYxGD4YlDtysi3Nyb6awGj4IfE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-02+at+22.46.05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pyycWqGSCP3qKlnS1D7z7tIkbPLUonjYT47H7evAOssOxAN9GZhjqtyjTq8D7Iaku_M6vNWO-pHzfH7p_ev_CRtwx1vY2XlZjT6ECr9VRYHQ3rknEdYxGD4YlDtysi3Nyb6awGj4IfE/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-02+at+22.46.05.png" width="197" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+2-pack-toy-leads-in-baby-toys+d3288" target="_blank">JoJo </a>toy ties - </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BUjaTxenaWJjVyZKzulYWzfwwU-7Uz6kDNNdIiWVJp7LwUxTpCE2yGjcrNU_CFM1pCkVYw1LygTdj53Y1iOQiQhhPv_P11QDgQuNNIWCRxxCCqJQTAmmNa8vH2BqYNS_ZcJaPkFqz3w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-02+at+22.47.41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BUjaTxenaWJjVyZKzulYWzfwwU-7Uz6kDNNdIiWVJp7LwUxTpCE2yGjcrNU_CFM1pCkVYw1LygTdj53Y1iOQiQhhPv_P11QDgQuNNIWCRxxCCqJQTAmmNa8vH2BqYNS_ZcJaPkFqz3w/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-02+at+22.47.41.png" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am going to carry on with the blog for a bit as I love sharing things I find online that could help and when little miss is sleeping I have to put a wash on and plan what I need clean so it only takes a minute to share the plan with you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hoping for some warmer weather I have bought a few pairs of jazzy comfort trousers in the H&M sale, trousers are down to £5/£7 in there so now is the time to pick up a bargain! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy shopping and any queries please post in the comments. </span><br />
<br />shewhomumswinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06693444869634138760noreply@blogger.com0