Riley's First Tooth

After weeks of being a 'teething monster', i'm pleased to say that Riley has officially cut his first tooth!
(i feel like i should be shouting this from the rooftops)
If there was ever a time when a photograph to illustrate a post would be fitting, this would be it, but despite many glimpses of said tooth, the minute mummy gets the camera out his mouth closes tightly shut.

Riley's had a visible full set of teeth just under his gums for a while now but  i was beginning to think he was the only baby on the block that wasn't yet cutting teeth. However, after a week of being grumpy, irritable, dribbling and restless i knew it was only a matter of time before one decided to cut through. Last weekend, my suspicions were confirmed when running my finger along his inflamed upper gums with some bonjela i felt one sharp little pearly white poking through.

As with every milestone that he hits, i'm a sentimental mess but slowly coming to terms with the fact that my baby boy is indeed growing up. Way too fast if you ask me. I am as proud of that little tooth as a mummy could be of any accomplishment that her child may have in life. I can only imagine how ecstatic i'll be when he brings home his first drawing from school or learns to ride a bike. I'm sure my heart will burst into a thousand little sappy pieces, and that's ok, because while it's bittersweet to have him maturing and growing up in every way, it's also so gratifying and rewarding too.

Being a mummy is THE best.

Vikki xxx

Nurture Box Review

Nurture Box are a brand new company offering a monthly subscription 'goodies box' service to parents with children aged 0-3. Created by husband and wife team, Alice and Eddie, the idea came about when they were expecting their first child and started looking around for products that would be helpful with their new arrival. They discovered so many wonderful products, promising incredible benefits, but felt overwhelmed by it all and had no idea which was best. We've all been there.

And so the concept was born - a monthly box stocked full of lovely products tailored to your child's age, gender and development stage (as well as a well deserved treat for mummy). They include a mixture of practical, fun and developmental products and where possible they aim to source natural, organic and eco-friendly products.

Nurture Box is about helping parents find the best products and brands for their children, so to ensure all products used in the their boxes are of the highest quality they are carefully hand-selected and tested by their parenting panel. They do not allow companies to pay to put their products in the boxes so you can be assured that whatever you receive is a genuine favourite of their parent panel.

They contacted us to see if we would be interested in reviewing their first offering, which of course we said yes too and last week we happily took delivery of their 'August - Happy Holidays Box'.

1. Green People Organic Cleanser (http://www.greenpeople.co.uk)
A scent free cleanser and moisturiser for mummy to soothe and hydrate skin. Suitable for sensitive skin and made from natural ingredients.
2. Green Baby Organic Beach Towel (http://www.greenbaby.com)
This towel is super soft and organic so kind to baby's delicate skin. Perfect for a day at the beach, a trip to the pool or a bubble bath at home. Available in various colours.
3. Piccalilly T-Shirt (http://www.piccalilly.co.uk)
A brilliant and bold striped t-shirt with a 'Nice Catch' applique. Made from organic cotton so very soft and comfortable.
4.  Green People Organic Sun Lotion (http://www.greenpeople.co.uk)
This sun lotion from Green People is made from 100% natural ingredients with no nasty or harsh chemicals. As well as protecting against UVA and UVB rays, it's moisturising, soothing, water resistant and smells absolutely gorgeous.
5. Earth Friendly Baby Body Lotion (http://www.earthfriendlybaby.co.uk)
This body lotion has been developed to keep baby's skin soft and supple and is free from artificial colouring or synthetic fragrances. It's hypoallergenic and smells yummy.

A subscription is from £19 - £22 per month and postage is always free. The contents of the box are worth between £35- £45 per month, meaning your're getting great value. You can also sign up to it as a gift for someone else. In addition to this, for evry Nurture Box sold, they donate a meal to a hungry child through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

So what did we think of Nurture Box? Well, it's a fantastic and really beneficial idea for parents, first-time parents especially. You feel safe in the knowledge that each product has not only been hand-picked and carefully selected by other parents, but has been tailored to your child's age and stage of development too. It's also a great way to discover brands you may not have known about previously.

You can tell that Alive and Eddie are extremely passionate about what they do and a lot of care and attention to detail foes in to every single parcel. Our box arrived beautifully presented and included a leaflet with detailed product information and hints/tips to fit in with the theme of the box.

Plus, who could resist the prospect of receiving a lovely box of goodies and treats for you and your baby each month?

You can visit Nurture Box at: www.nurturebox.co.uk 
You can follow Nurture Box on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/nurturebox 

You can also like Nurture Box on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NurtureBox

Disclosure: I was sent a Nurture Box for the purpose of this review but all views and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.

While You Were Sleeping

While you were sleeping.........

.........mummy stopped to sit in awe of your beauty

.........to watch your little chest rising and falling and listening to your breathing

.........to smell your sweet baby scent

.........to revel in the fact that yes, you really are all mine. I really 

did create this perfect little life and you really are all i could ever want

 from a son.

Thank you for making me realise that dreams can come true.

I love you Riley xxx

Dear Riley - 9 Months Old

Dear Riley,

Weight: TBC

Clothes Size: 6 - 9 Months

Nappy Size: Pampers Baby Dry Size 4

Well my darling, you may be 9 months old but you're still my baby boy and not a day goes by where i don't sit in awe of your beauty and count my blessings that you're mine. Daddy and i continue to be amazed by the new things your learning and the little man you're growing in to. You may be a mischievous and cheeky little monkey but you're also the most happiest and content little person i've ever known, with the sweetest temperament and i wouldn't want you any other way. 

Every morning i walk in to your nursery and find you so full of life, your blue eyes shining brightly at mine and your gummy smile beaming at me from ear to ear. This morning was different though, for the first time you put your arms out to reach for me and when i picked you up, you buried your head in my chest with the biggest smile on your face. My heart melted. I felt so loved and believe me Riley, feeling loved by you is THE best feeling in the world. This is the stuff dreams are made of.......If i could freeze one moment in time for all eternity, this would be it, nothing makes me happier. 

At 9 months (or 7 months adjusted) you're still immobile and seem to have no interest in sitting up or crawling any time soon. We've been giving you lots of tummy time, sitting you on the sofa next to us, propping you up with cushions, feeding you in your bumbo seat and playing with you in your walker but you get pretty agitated with us after a short period of time so we're not pushing you. We know you'll do it in your own time and we'll support and encourage you every step of the way.

That being said, your head/neck control and hand-eye coordination has improved no end and we've had a fantastic time with other milestones and firsts too. You said your very first word which was "dada" and and the look of pride on your daddy's face when he heard it for the first time was amazing. "Mama" followed just the other day and i LOVE hearing that word from you. You also started giggling this month which i captured on video here and baby, you have the cutest little laugh that mummy could just sit and listen to for hours.

You have finally (and painfully) cut your first tooth! I don't think you were particularly pleased or impressed about this and you made it known that's for sure as mummy recorded in her Teething Monster post. We think you may be cutting your second tooth at the moment but you're handling the pain much better this time round and finding great comfort in munching, chomping and biting away on your teether toys.

You've taken to weaning like a duck out of water and this month we've managed to cut down your bottles of milk to first thing in the morning and last thing at night and increase your intake of water and solid feeds during the day. You LOVE your food.....ALOT! Your favourites by far are mashed banana, carrot and sweet potato, fruity muesli and petit filous yoghurts.

You absolutely love being outside in the fresh air and with the warmer weather we've had this month we've been spending lots of time out in the garden and going for walks in the woods next to our house. You've also been playing lots with your big cousin Tia and i adore watching the two of you together. You're blossoming relationship is beautiful to see and she refers to you as 'her best friend' which as your mummy and her auntie makes me feel so proud. 

I don't know where the last 9 months have gone but i DO know that you have brought so much joy in to my life and make me feel complete. You've changed my life for the better and i hope one day you can understand just how much i adore and love you.

As ever Riley, keep happy, keep safe and keep healthy

Love From Mummy xxx

Little Dish Meals Review

Little Dish are a UK based company specialising in nutritious meals for little ones aged 12months plus. Started in 2006 by mum to be Hillary and her business partner John, they set out to create a range of fresh and healthy 'home-cooked' meals for children that parents could purchase from their local supermarket. The company has gone from strength to strength and their range of food is now stocked nationwide, with up to 100,000 little dishes being served across the UK every week.

Little Dish work with the best suppliers and only use 100% natural ingredients in all of their products, never adding salt or sugar. Prepared by hand, their yummy little dishes are made just how you would cook them at home and can be ready to eat in minutes. Whats more, every recipe is created in partnership with their nutritionist Dr Shilpee to ensure they are fresh, healthy and packed full of goodness.

Over the last few months, the team at Little Dish have been working hard in the kitchen cooking up new recipes that are even tastier and nutritious than before. The packaging has been revamped and there's also lots of new fun activities on the inside of the sleeve to keep your little ones entertained whilst you're cooking.

And that's not all  *drum roll please* Mabel has recruited lots of new friends to join her in The Little Dish Zoo Crew, meaning each meal is now adorned with it's own unique character. Cute or what?

They kindly sent a selection of their new and improved meals for Tia to review.

*Chicken And Butternut Squash Pie - British chicken, butternut squash, carrots and peas in Little Dish's signature cheese sauce topped with mashed potato.
*Spaghetti And Meatballs - British beef meatballs cooked in a tasty tomato sauce and served with italian spaghetti pasta.
*Pasta With Cheese, Peas And Broccoli Trees - Cheesy pasta shells with petit pois and mini broccoli florets.
Chicken Risotto - Bitesize pieces of British chicken and vegetables mixed together with risotto rice and cheese.

Having tried all of the meals for myself (What? There for BIG kids too!) i can honestly say that they are just as yummy and delicious as they look. The Spaghetti and Meatballs was definitely the winner though, as this is Tia's most absolute favourite thing to eat and as she cleared her plate i'm pretty sure it was just as good as mummy usually makes it.  The portion sizes in these little dishes are very generous and they are the perfect solution for busy mums and dads looking for a quick and easy ready made version of 'home cooked' meals. They were definitely a welcome treat for my sister who is a busy full time working single mum.

Verdict: If you're looking for fresh, nutritious and healthy ready meals for kids that are from a brand you can trust, great value for money, tasty and full of goodness then Little Dish is THE brand for you. Parents can be safe in the knowledge that all meals are made from the best of British ingredients and contain no added salt, sugar or preservatives. What's not to like? Try them for yourself today, you won't be disappointed.

You can find Little Dish at Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys and Ocado.com.

If you shop at Sainsburys then Little Dish are currently running a fantastic promotion to thank their customers called Receipt To Eat. For every 2 Little Dish meals you purchase, they'll give you 1 free. Further information and full terms and conditions can be viewed by clicking the image below.

You can visit Little Dish at: www.littledish.co.uk
You can follow Little Dish on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Little_Dish 

You can also like Little Dish on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/littledish

Disclosure: I was sent a selection of Little Dish meals for the purpose of this review but all views and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.

#WHENIGROWUP Baby And Toddler Event At Asda

The popular ASDA Baby and Toddler Event is running from 27th August to 16th September. 

This Summer, ASDA are aiming to raise £100,000 for Tommy's and you can help support this fantastic cause by stocking up on all of your baby essentials from your local store during this time. Throughout the event, leading brands such as Huggies, Pampers and Cow & Gate will be giving a donation to Tommy's on selected products to help ASDA reach their £100,000 target and to help fund the charity's vital research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriage.

None of Tommy's work would be possible without the support of the public and partners like ASDA. So far ASDA's contribution to Tommy's has enabled:

* Funding of Tommy's freephone PregnancyLine - a freephone phone line, staffed midwives that anyone can ring for support or advice following a pregnancy complication or loss. The line is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm and their midwives can be called on 0800 0147 800.

* The charity's new 'Having a Premature Baby' guide - an essential book for anyone who has had, or is at risk of, having a premature baby. (This proved invaluable to me when Riley was born unexpectedly at 30 weeks gestation).

By supporting the ASDA Baby and Toddler Event this Summer, YOU can help Tommy's continue their vital research to ensure that more babies are born healthy and offer the continued support that families so desperately need after the loss of a baby. You can support other mums and dads across the UK to have a healthy baby.

Many of you will already know that my son Riley was born 10 weeks prematurely in November 2011 weighing 2lb 13oz. I will never know why, but what i do know and what i firmly believe, is that my son wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the 'angels' working in NICU/SCBU units up and down the country and the vital work and research carried out by charities like Tommy's and Bliss. There were moments in those first few days where i felt lost, overwhelmed, confused and completely out of my depth BUT it was thanks to well trained staff and publications provided by Tommy's and Bliss that i managed to get a sense of it all and adjust to life with a premature baby.

Medical advances and developments in technology mean that the majority of babies born extremely sick or premature these days DO have a fighting chance but this isn't always the case and some parents never get to bring their babies home. Premature birth is on the rise and there is still so much more that needs to be done. 

This is why the work of Tommy's is so vital and important. Please support them by purchasing your baby essentials from your local ASDA during their Baby and Toddler Event.

Tommy's and Britmums are running a #WHENIGROWUP linky this week - this is an opportunity for bloggers to link up with posts about what they wanted to be when they grew up, what their children say they want to be or you can just submit photos of your children expressing what they want to be when they grow up!

So what does Riley want to be when he grows up?

I hope when he grows up he has the strength and courage to follow his dreams and make his own choices in life, and as his mummy i will always support him in whatever way i can, BUT above all, i hope he continues to grow up happy and healthy.

Vikki xxx

See It! Snap It! Love It! - Help

This photography linky is hosted by the lovely Lucy over at Dear Beautiful Boy . A weekly challenge to look for pretty things (within a set theme) and capture them for the world to see. The theme this week is 'Help'.

One good thing about living in the country is that there is ALWAYS plenty of opportunities for us to venture outside for some fun and with the gorgeous weather that's been upon us, this week my niece has been helping me out in the garden.

If you feeling like having a go and joining in with the challenge yourself, then click the badge below and link up your post over at Dear Beautiful Boy.

Happy Snapping Everyone!!!

Vikki xxx

Poppetwear Review

Poppetwear are a UK based company specialising in clothing and accessories for babies up to 18 months old. As a family run business, the team at Poppetwear put a lot of thought and effort into the design of their products to ensure that each and every one is created with practicality and everyday use in mind to make the lives of busy parents a whole lot easier. Their shared passion and enjoyment for what they do ensures that they only produce products that they love and would use themselves.

They kindly sent Riley and I one of their Navy Star Envelope Neck Rompers to review.

When i opened up my package from Poppetwear and saw this item, i instantly fell in love with it. The use of a bold star pattern and contrast colours on this romper really give it the 'wow factor' and make it stand out from the crowd. It has an envelope neck opening and poppers around the inside leg and crotch area, making things incredibly easy and more convenient at changing time.

If you were looking for the ideal 'new arrival/newborn' gift then the romper also goes perfectly with their matching Bandana Bib, Knot Hat and Reversible Blanket.

Like all of their products, it's manufactured in their Nottingham warehouse and made from the highest quality 100% cotton which is super soft, kind to baby's delicate skin and requires little to no ironing (I don't know about you, but that last factor is surely every mother's dream?). The romper fits well without being too tight so there is plenty of room for your little one to stretch, wriggle, move about and explore their surroundings.

Features:

-Made from 100% cotton

-Available in sizes 0-18months

-Poppers to make changing time quick and hassle free

-Machine washable at 30 degrees

-Matching accessories

-"Mix & Match" options available throughout all ranges

So, what did we think? Well if like me, you're tired of the stereotypical pinks and blues for babies then Poppetwear really are the brand for you as their full range is made up of bright and vivid coloured clothes at excellent prices.You can tell that the whole team are passionate about what they do and put a lot of love, care and attention to detail into every single garment to ensure that it's produced to the highest quality and standard possible.

 I would highly recommend that you all take a wander over to the Poppetwear website and discover their full range of products for yourself, I'm positive you'll love them as much as we do.

The Navy Star Envelope Neck Romper is available to purchase online from Poppetwear for £15.00 

You can visit Poppetwear at: www.poppet.co (no .uk needed)
You can follow Poppetwear at: www.twitter.com/thisispoppet 

You can also like Poppetwear on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pages/Poppet/233681726693429

Disclosure: I was sent a Navy Star Envelope Neck Romper for the purpose of this review but all views and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.

See It! Snap It! Love It! - Everyday

This photography linky is hosted by the lovely Lucy over at Dear Beautiful Boy . A weekly challenge to look for pretty things (within a set theme) and capture them for the world to see. The theme this week is 'Everyday'.

I would like to think that i am not a materialistic person and i certainly don't seek out to find the 'finer' things in life. Money does not make me happy and it certainly doesn't buy you happiness either.
I enjoy the simple things, the little things, the everyday things and nothing makes me happier every single day than my little man. It's amazing how someone so tiny can make me smile, make me proud and melt my heart over and over again with just one look, no words, just an exchange of love for eachother.


He is my everything, everyday.

If you feeling like having a go and joining in with the challenge yourself, then click the badge below and link up your post over at Dear Beautiful Boy.

Happy Snapping Everyone!!!

Vikki xxx

Win A Babasling Baby Carrier

The BabaSling baby carrier is a revolution in design, comfort and simplicity. The hammock style baby sling is perfectly shaped to support a newborn's developing spine, while providing essential closeness and bonding between parent and child. It allows you to comfortably and effortlessly carry your baby close to you whilst keeping your hands free to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

The BabaSling is very versatile and with no less than five positions and easily adjustable straps, the BabySling is so easy to use it can be safely shared with grandparents, older siblings and caregivers.

KEY FEATURES

-Designed to carry babies and toddlers (0-2yr+/4.5lbs-33lbs-2kg-15kg)

-Has 5 different carrying positions and 2 breast feeding positions

One size fits all, adjusts in seconds

-Made from 100% cotton that is both durable and breathable

-Machine washable at 40 degrees

-Tested to safety standard BS EN 13209-2:2005 Soft Carriers

-Lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects

COMPETITION

I am able to offer ONE lucky reader the chance to win a classic BabaSling in Midnight Black. To be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is enter via the rafflecopter below.

N.B. The more entries you submit, the better your chances of winning.

Competition closes on 5th September 2012. Open to residents of the UK and Ireland only.

Good Luck!

Vikki xxx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kelsie The Teether Toy Review

Mushroom & Co are a UK based company specialising in the sale of natural rubber toys for babies. Their eco-friendly products are all made from 100% natural materials and are hand painted in organic food grade dyes to make them completely safe for baby. The team at Mushroom & Co understand the importance of children learning through play and this is reflected in the use of bright colours, soft textures and friendly faces throughout their product range. The toys have been specifically designed to make learning fun, but in a safe way and they are the perfect for stimulating your baby's senses and brain development. 

They kindly sent Riley and I one of their Kelsie The Seahorse Teether Toys

Now, don't be fooled by Kelsie's simplicity as she has many hidden talents and has proved invaluable during my recent teething dramas with Riley. In fact from the minute she left the box, he's been besotted with this little toy and hasn't stopped playing with it. 

It's lightweight, with soft textures making it easy for little hands to hold on to and with lots of points on Kelsie's head that can be used to ease the pressure on baby's gums, it's the ideal teether toy. Whats more, as it is handmade from 100% natural rubber and hand painted with non-toxic dyes you can rest assure that your baby is completely safe to chew, chomp, bite and suck away to their heart's content and interact with it as they please.

The Kelsie Teether Toy also acts as a great learning aid for sensory development by stimulating all of your baby's 5 senses:

Sight - Bright colours and friendly looking face give the toy an engaging presence.

Touch - Lightweight soft texture and easily manageable for tiny fingers.

Hearing - A pleasant (and not overpowering) squeak whenever any part of the toy is squeezed.

Taste - Numerous chewable parts make it perfect for soothing sore gums during teething.

Smell - The scent of natural rubber from the Hevea tree makes it easy for your baby to identify it from their other toys.

So what do we think? Well, I have been pleasantly surprised by how many hours of fun and amusement Riley has had from Kelsie. She gets chewed, chomped, poked, prodded, pulled and thrown about everywhere and in spite of all that, there's not a mark on her and she looks as good as new. Plus, as she's waterproof she now accompanies Riley in the bath too. If that wasn't enough, she is so soft and pliable and has such a gentle squeak to her that she could even be introduced to babies from birth.

 I would highly recommend that you all take a wander over to the Mushroom & Co site and discover their full range of products for yourself, you won't be disappointed. I'm positive you'll love them as much as we do.

Features:

- Suitable for 0-36months

-Easy to clean
-Great for sensory and brain development
 - Eco Friendly, 100% natural and biodegradable
-  PVC, BPA, Nitrosamines and Phthalalates free

Kelsie The Seahorse Teether Toy is available to purchase online from Mushroom & Co for £6.99 

You can visit Mushroom & Co at: www.mushroomandco.com
You can follow Mushroom & Co at: www.twitter.com/MushroomandCo

You can also like Mushroom & Co on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mushroom-Co/285477274835699

Disclosure: I was sent a Kelsie The Teether Toy for the purpose of this review but all views and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.

THE Most Beautiful Girl I Know

I'm biased of course and I've said it before but i'll say it again, my niece is just THE most beautiful girl i know!xxx

Vikki xxx

The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game Review

Learning Resources are a UK based company and with 15 years experience under their belt, they are the leading manufacturer of educational toys and hands-on learning aids for children from 2-12 years. The team at Learning Resources are passionate about what they do and strive to produce the highest quality educational resources that help children to learn through play.

As they say "Learning Resources has become the brand teachers trust by making and supplying classrooms and homes with high quality, award-winning educational products for early years, maths, literacy, phonics, reading, science, personal social and health education and special needs education".

They kindly sent one of their Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Games for my niece and i to review.

To play the game all you need to do is allocate each player a log, pour all of the acorns in to the box lid and then each player takes a turn to spin the spinner and find out what their next move is.Then grab the matching coloured acorn with your Squirrel Squeezers and stash it away in your log. Sounds simple, but you could also spin a sad squirrel and lose a turn or spin a sneaky squirrel and steal an acorn from another player. It's a game of strategy for little squirrels and big squirrels.

The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game is the perfect educational toy and learning aid for preschoolers and helps to develop colour matching, strategic thinking, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. 

We've had a lot of fun playing this game and Tia especially loves the Squirrel Squeezers which are ideally suited to little hands. It really is an adorable game and could be enjoyed by both boys and girls, as well as the adults. Whats more you know your children are learning whilst having fun at the same time.

Features:

- Suitable for ages 3+

- 2-4 player game

Box Includes: 

- Colourful tree-shaped game board

- 1 Squirrel squeezer

-20 Coloured acorns

-1 Game spinner

- 4 Logs

 - Instruction guide.

The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game is available to purchase online from Learning Resources for £19.95

You can visit Learning Resources at: www.learningresources.co.uk   

You can follow Learning Resources on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LRUK

You can like Learning Resources on Facebook: www.facebook.com/learningresourcesuk 

Disclosure: I was sent a Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game for the purpose of this review but all views and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.

See It! Snap It! Love It! - Hidden

This photography linky is hosted by the lovely Lucy over at Dear Beautiful Boy . A weekly challenge to look for pretty things (within a set theme) and capture them for the world to see. The theme this week is 'Hidden'.

Riley is very lucky in the fact that he lives next door to Grandad's farm, so this weekend we took advantage of the gorgeous sunshine and took a stroll down there to see the animals. At this time of the year the heifers and their calves have been turned out to graze the fields and there is an abundance of wild rabbits running about so mummy had plenty of snapping opportunities for this week's challenge.

If you feeling like having a go and joining in with the challenge yourself, then click the badge below and link up your post over at Dear Beautiful Boy.

Happy Snapping Everyone!!!

Vikki xxx

Riley Can...Giggle

Sometimes, it's those little moments that make us smile the most.

I thought Riley's smile was infectious, but just watch this video clip of his giggles! 

N.B. He usually starts giggling spontaneously but has a little help from mummy's tickling fingers in this clip as i can never catch him on camera quick enough.

Vikki xxx

Riley Can...Say 'Dada'

So it has finally happened, Riley has found his voice and has started saying "dada" - just literally out of the blue dadadadadadadada. It was one of those super proud mummy moments...

YET

at  the same time i also felt a tiny pang of jealousy. Not that i don't want him to identify his daddy because he's a wonderful daddy and works really hard to provide for us, but hey, it's me that carried him and me that looks after him on my own all week. I've spent a lot of blood, sweat and tears these passed 8 months of his life and i really want a "mama". 

Does that make me a bad person? Ungrateful perhaps?

Truthfully though, i don't feel THAT bad about it and why shouldn't he appreciate his daddy as much as his mummy? In fact, i know it makes my other half proud that he's saying dada. His face lights up every single time and it's wonderful to see. When i see them together and the bond that they share, it makes me realise that actions always speak louder than words and i can wait for my "mama". My time will come.

P.s - Plus there's always the added benefit that when daddy's home at the weekends, he can get up to Riley's "dadadadadada" calls early in the morning! 

Vikki xxx

See It! Snap It! Love It! - Best Friends

This photography linky is hosted by the lovely Lucy over at Dear Beautiful Boy . A weekly challenge to look for pretty things (within a set theme) and capture them for the world to see. The theme this week is 'Best Friends'.

I didn't need to go in search of inspiration for this weeks theme, the blossoming relationship between Riley and his big cousin Tia is evident to me every single day. It's clear to see how much she adores him and he her and their innocence makes it all that more special.

If you feeling like having a go and joining in with the challenge yourself, then click the badge below and link up your post over at Dear Beautiful Boy.

Happy Snapping Everyone!!!

Vikki xxx

Splash About Happy Nappy Review

Splash About are a UK/France based company and have over 20 years experience in the swimwear market inventing and developing products for babies, children and adults. The team at Splash About pride themselves on making children's lives safer (in a fun way) and they work in partnership with parents, swimming teachers and health & safety professionals to ensure all of their products are safe, functional and durable.

One of their best selling products is the multi award winning Splash About Happy Nappy and they kindly sent one for Riley and I to review. As they say 'It is THE best reuseable swim nappy on the market and is recommended by all major swim schools as it vastly minimises leaks. They're made from supple fabrics for a comfortable fit and are available in a range of colours and styles to suit all'.

We received a pair in the Union Jack design, very fitting given that 2012 has seen Britain celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and is currently hosting the Olympics in London.

The Happy Nappy is made from stretchy neoprene and finished with soft bands of fabric that have a high rubber content to enable it to fit snugly around baby's bottom and thighs without being too tight. It's these properties that also keep all nasty contents safely contained inside and prevent the nappy from leaking. It really is that easy and as they explain on their website: 'The design is simple and yet so effective. No ties, no velcro, no elastic'.

Whats more, Splash About have a wide range of styles, colours and designs for you to choose from so there is something for everyone.

You can use the Happy Nappy on its own or as part of the revolutionary new Happy Nappy System, using a NappyWrap (a soft, white cotton nappy wrap held in place with velcro) and a NappyWrap Liner (soft, biodegradable flushable liners).

Features:
- Available in sizes XS (about premature/birth to 2 months) to XXL (toddler)

- Swim Nappy is reuseable
-Easy to clean
-Recommended by leading swimming schools
-Works in unison with other Splash About products
-SPF 50+ sun protection

So what did Riley and i think? Well we couldn't fault them to be honest, not only did he look super cute in them (i'm biased of course) but they were soft, comfortable and fitted snugly around his thighs without cutting in to the skin. They didn't inhibit movement at all and have the added bonus of SPF 50+ sun protection. If that wasn't enough we had peace of mind that the nappy had been designed and tested in conjunction with swim teachers and safety specialists, so what's not to like? A big thumbs up from us!

The Happy Nappy is available to buy online with prices ranging from £8.95 - £10.99 

For further information or to make a purchase please visit www.splashabout.com  

You can also like Splash About on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SplashaboutUK

Disclosure: I was sent a Splash About Happy Nappy for the purpose of this review but all views and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.

Pretty.Little.Things - Beautiful Bags

We had a great response to last weeks Pretty.Little.Things and you mummies couldn't wait to show off some photos of your water babies. There were some fantastic entries and Lisa and I just couldn't decide on one winner so we cheated *slaps wrists* and chose two joint winners instead. So, congratulations to Bex at The Mummy Adventure and Jess at Catch A Single Thought, you ladies get to proudly display your winners badge if you so desire.

Now back to this week where the theme is 'Beautiful Bags'. We decided it was high time the mummies got a chance to show off their pretty.little.things. Now i don't know about you, but my handbag has slowly been replaced by a changing bag since becoming a parent, purely for convenience. It's just impractical and too much hard work to try carting a baby, a handbag and a changing bag about. However, i do have a handbag that ventures out on special occasions.

I absolutely love this Paul's Boutique bag and would happily invest in the whole collection if my bank balance would allow. Their range of bags is hip, modern, funky and just super cool. Plus (as if that wasn't enough!) they stock matching accessories, it's heaven.

What beautiful bags or changing bags do you mummies use? Write your post and link it up over at Hollybobbs site.

So all that leaves me to do is let you know next weeks theme which is:
days out
It's the summer holidays, so we want to know what days out and fun adventures you and your little ones have been having. Picnics in the park? Petting animals at the zoo? Icecreams at the beach? Whatever it is, grab those cameras and get snapping!

Next week, it's my turn to host Pretty.Little.Things so we'll see you here at Love From Mummy.

Feel free to grab the badge too.........


Vikki xxx