Having A Baby*

I have always known since I was a little girl that I wanted to become a mother. When I was older I did have the worries, 'would I meet someone', 'would it happen for me', 'would it be difficult to get pregnant'?

In my third year of university I missed a period, not because I was pregnant (that was impossible) and started freaking out. Could I be going through the early menopause? I went to the doctor, who was very unprofessional, as well as answering the phone and swearing at his colleague he also laughed in my face when I asked if I could be going through early menopause. I swiftly changed my doctors surgery and after speaking to friends, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) came up. I made an appointment at my new doctors surgery and this time saw a much more understanding and professional doctor. I was referred for blood tests and when the results came back I had a higher level of testosterone than normal. I was then referred to endocrinology at the hospital and took a 24 hour urine test which my uni housemates thought was hilarious. I was also very specific about the day I did the test as I couldn't drink any alcohol which was a very important part of my social life back then! When the results came back they also showed some abnormalities and the endocrinologist said it was highly likely I had PCOS but didn't want to do any invasive scans at that point. As I wasn't planning to have any children in my final year of uni I was happy with that and the plan was for me to have a follow up appointment in a year. When my appointment came through I was actually moving back to my home town as I had finished my teaching degree and had a job. Since 2007 I have not returned to an endocrinology department.

PCOS was always at the back of my mind and I worried it would be difficult to fall pregnant. I always spoke about having a family and when a couple of my friends had babies it made me very broody. In 2012 the other half and I discussed trying for a baby, once my 30th birthday celebrations were out of the way.

Surprisingly I found out I was pregnant less than a month after my birthday. At an early scan the sonographer mentioned there were cysts on my right ovary.

I felt so lucky that it happened as I know that fulfilling the dream of having children is not always an easy journey.

 

I have friends that have gone down the IVF route  not only because it was hard to conceive but due to genetic reasons. For them I know it was a difficult time. I know that if I had struggled to conceive I would have certainly have seriously considered IVF.

Of course another option is adoption, not only for couples that can't conceive but same sex couples and single people too. Not everyone meets their so called 'the one' to bring up a family but that doesn't mean they can't become a parent, in addition to adoption there is the option of sperm banks and surrogacy. So how much does it cost to get sperm from a bank?  In the UK you're looking at around £800 for a vial of sperm through fertility centres such as Complete Fertility Centre in Southampton.

 

I can't imagine how painful it is not to have children when you so desperately want them. Fortunately there are options in this day and age to help people become parents and nobody's journey to parenthood is the same.



Cuddledry Towel REVIEW

Back in January we were kindly sent an original cuddledry towel in oatmeal and white. Little Miss Nola has loved bath time pretty much since her first one, she would scream getting undressed for her bath and then stop as soon as she was placed in the water!

Nola in one of her early baths

However, when it was time to come out she would again scream the place down, whilst I was in a frantic rush to get her on to the towel, all wrapped up and cosy. It would usually take her a little while to calm down too.



This is where the cuddledry towel has been a total game changer at bath times. Its' genius, hands free, multi award winning design enables me to place Nola directly on my chest and wrap her in the towel quickly. This means she's kept cosy and warm which is something I particularly worried about in the early days. It also means I don't get wet!


First bath with big bro!

Apart from the first time we used it, I can honestly say there have been no tears at all after bath time. Nola loves cuddles and now I'm able to cuddle her straight after a bath without getting soaked! I'm certain she feels secure being cuddled as soon as she comes out which has made bath time a much more relaxing experience for everyone.
The towel is made from 'natural bamboo fibre' and 'unbleached cotton' which is super soft and very absorbent, meaning I can 'cuddle-dry' her.

The original cuddledry is available in a range of different colours and there is also a range of other fantastic products on the website including toddler towels and the new 'Baby & Me Wash Bag'.

I highly recommend the cuddledry for stress free bath times with your new baby or if your looking to buy a baby gift this is a great one! You can buy it from the cuddledry website as well as other retailers such as Boots and John Lewis.

 

I'm linking this post up with Jenny's Bumps & Babies linky!

 

 

*I was sent the item to review but all opinions are my own

Nola You're 4 Months Old

 

 

Little Nola your turned four months old just over a week ago. This is the second update I have written about you and boy have things changed since I wrote the last one.

Right now I'm not sure if you will ever be able to read these.

In hospital

General/milestones

I think the biggest change is finding out you are very likely to have a rare genetic condition. You began having seizures just before you turned 12 weeks, although when they started I did not realise that's what they were. I will explain in more detail in a separate post but you were admitted to hospital for three days at the beginning of December where lots of tests began to try and find out what was causing you to have seizures. You had an attempted MRI scan which couldn't be done because you were awake, an EEG test and different bloods taken. There were some abnormal results from the EEG tests so an urgent request for an MRI was made to try and get a good look at your brain. You didn't have any seizures whilst we were in hospital which is typical and didn't experience any more for a couple of weeks. You then had a MRI under general anaesthetic where some growths on your brain were discovered. The discharge letter I received said the findings were 'highly suspicious' of  a specific rare condition, something until that day (19/12/17) I was oblivious to. It's a condition that affects people differently with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, so right now we don't know how affected you will be. 

The day before you had the MRI you began having these odd spasm type movements which I know now are another type of seizure. On Christmas Eve night I ended up taking you to the children's ward because you were having these spasms following a different type of seizure. We were admitted so you spent your very first Christmas morning in hospital which was so sad. You did get discharged as you hadn't had anymore seizure episodes but within a couple of hours you went back via an ambulance as we were advised to call 999 if you had a seizure that got to three minutes long. So we spent the next two nights there until we saw the paediatric consultant who specialises in epilepsy. You were prescribed medicine to control the seizures but the spasms went on and you were put on another medication aiming to stop them after the results of a second EEG were worse than the first. Last week you had a heart scan which also revealed you have two growths on your heart, you then had an ECG which fortunately revealed your heart is working as normal at present. We also saw a specialist at Addenbrookes hospital who agrees it's highly likely you have the rare genetic condition but no one will confirm it until we have the genetic blood tests back. You have an appointment at the end of the month to have your eyes checked for any growths. It's all been hard to take in as it would be for any mummy, I still don't think I've fully got my head round it but I will be with you every step of the way, I'm so sorry this has happened to you, you are so brave!

Apart from all of the drama that you've had, what else has gone on since my last update?

You had your first holiday at Bluestone in Wales, unfortunately this was when the seizures really kicked in so we didn't make the best memories.

In December you were chosen as one of the new brand reps for Petal & Grace, a beautiful hairband company on Instagram. Their bows make you look even cuter than you already do!

You still enjoy cuddles and can be very snuggly, sometimes you won't calm down if you're upset until you are being cuddled, sucking your dummy and having your face stroked!

One of the most upsetting aspects of the seizures is that they can affect development unless they're under control. This has happened with you, before this all started you began to giggle, even though we only heard it once or twice, it was starting to happen. Since around Christmas day you barely smile, if we're lucky we see maybe one smile a day. I'm told once the seizures are under control you are more likely to reach the general baby milestones.

I've had to move you up to size 3 nappies, as you are growing into a right little chunk!
You've had your second round of routine immunisations and due the next batch soon. 

Feeding

One positive is that your appetite hasn't changed, you still love your milk and guzzle it down. You are still having 5oz bottles, usually five a day, sometimes more as there have been several nights you have woken during the night and needed a bottle to settle you. If you've had a very long stretch sleeping overnight I give you a 6oz bottle and have tried 6oz bottles before bed to see if that helped with sleeping few but it hasn't always worked!

Sleeping

Most nights you have slept through but there have been several where you have woken up once and at worse, twice. You're actually sleeping more than you're awake at the moment. I've been told it's probably down to a combination of medicine and seizure activity.

Your second EEG test

Weight

You were weighed last week when we saw the specialist and you're now a whopping 14.7lbs thanks to all the milk you've been knocking back!

Clothes

Clothes wise you still fit in some 0-3 month clothes but some are too small. You are also wearing lots of 3-6 month clothes too and most need some growing in to.

More Nicknames

I wrote a post about your name and the nicknames I had come with so far. I still can't help the random names that pop into my head. Roly is still the one I'm using the most! Here are the ones I added last month and below there's a few more!                    

23. Rooka Took
24. Rooky
25. Angel cake

Cuddles with big brother at Bluestone!

Your Likes

• You still love cuddles
• You still  love your bottles
• You still love having a bath, if you're crying beforehand you immediately stop
• You really enjoy being out and about
•  You like watching and listening to Eliot
• You still enjoy being sung to
• You like your dummy a lot now! It's very soothing for you when you want it!

Your Dislikes

• Still...Sudden loud noises
• Still...Being taken out of the bath
• Having clothes put on/taken off
• Still...Being disturbed when you are comfy
• Occasionally still...Being put in the car seat

I'm sorry it's not been a more positive update Nola  I hope next month there is more good news to write!

xxx

 

I've linked this post up with Jenny's 'Bumps & Babies' linky!

Strepelle Review-A Test For Group B Streptococcus

 

 

I first became aware of strep b whilst pregnant with Eliot back in 2013. With it being my first pregnancy and experiencing a couple of scares I was an anxious expectant mum and read up on everything I could.

If you're not sure about group b strep and what it can mean for your baby here's why Strepelle advise on taking the test...

 

'Most pregnant women who carry GBS bacteria have healthy babies. However, there is a risk that GBS can pass to your baby during childbirth, creating serious and life threatening complications or causing lifelong disabilities'.

 

Knowing that group b strep could be potentially life threatening to my baby, towards the end of my pregnancy I asked my midwife about it and was told there was no testing. I was not aware of any self testing kits available at that time, so at that point I had to hope for the best!

As it turned out I ended up needing IV antibiotics every four hours whilst in labour with Eliot as my waters were the first thing to go and he wasn't delivered within 24 hours, which meant he was more susceptible to infection. If group b strep was present without my knowledge, the antibiotics obviously protected Eliot.

 

During my second pregnancy I was aware Strepelle was available to do a home test so when the opportunity arose to try it out and review I of course said yes. Even though I have felt much less anxious during my second pregnancy, group b strep has still been something that was on my mind and I had been thinking about purchasing Strepelle.

 

You can do the test at home from 35 weeks of pregnancy. You're advised to do the test and post it between a Monday and Thursday so your sample doesn't lose strength over the weekend period. I took samples and posted on a Wednesday when I was 35+4, I'd read a couple of other reviews by bloggers which I found helpful before I read the instructions in the kit.

 

 

The kit contains two sealed swabs & tubes, instructions, a form to fill out with your details and a stamped, addressed envelope bag to send your samples back to be tested in the lab. 

 

From reading the other reviews I was already aware that one swab was a vaginal swab and the other a rectal swab. The instructions give you very clear directions along with diagrams, with how to take the samples which I found very easy to follow.

 

I must admit it wasn't the easiest thing for me trying to collect samples with a big bump acting as an obstruction but certainly not unmanageable!

 

Besides I would much rather take the samples myself rather than have someone else do it if the test was available on the NHS!

 

One thing I wouldn't have known if I hadn't read one of the reviews prior to taking my samples was that there are stoppers in the top of the tubes that you need to place the swab in once you have taken it. These need to be removed before you can put your sample in. It's not mentioned in the instructions and I probably would have ended up trying to force the swab in before realising I needed to remove the stopper.
 

Once both samples were taken I filled out the 'Test Order Form' and stuck labels with an identification number onto each tube before placing in the envelope. 
 

On the form you can select which way you'd prefer to receive your results, either by email, text or post. I opted for text message as I felt this would be the fastest way to receive my results.
 

If the result for strep b is positive then you are also sent a letter so you can share with your midwife/doctor and make a plan for your labour.
 

I felt a sense of relief that I'd been able to take a test for group b strep and did not worry about whether or not the results would be positive. I was pleased that I would know one way or another and be able to plan for IV antibiotics if needed.

 

You usually receive result within 5 working days but this wasn't the case for me so I contacted strepelle via the email address on the half of the test order form you keep with your unique identification number. It advises you to get in touch if you haven't had your results back within 7 days.

 I received a very speedy response apologising for the delay and with a letter attached confirming that my results were negative which was fantastic news!

 

Strepelle has definitely giving me peace of mind about group b strep, enabling me to have one less thing to worry about! I certainly recommend it, it's really a no brainer when the possible outcomes of passing group strep b to your baby are so worrying!

The test is £39.99 and available to purchase here.

 

* I was sent the Strepelle test kit in exchange for a review. All thoughts & opinions are mine

Staying 'Team Yellow'

Baby 2 poking out their tongue

I decided long before I was even pregnant with baby 2 that this time I wouldn't find out the gender. One reason was because I'd experienced finding out whether or not I was having a girl or boy with Eliot and wanted to experience the 'not knowing' option. The other reason is because I have the fear I will be disappointed. Disappointed if it was another boy.

So when I told one of my best friends I wouldn't be finding out this time she didn't believe I'd not be able to find out what I was having at the 20 week scan. This made me even more determined not to find out because it is tempting at that 20 week scan!

At 27 weeks I had a 4D scan, I had one with Eliot so didn't think I'd bother this time round but I really wanted Eliot to experience seeing the baby as he wasn't allowed to come to the hospital scans. He did keep asking if it was 'nearly finished' and commenting 'only one more minute' but I came away happy with our precious experience and still none the wiser as to whether it was a boy or girl.

 About a week ago I posted one of the pictures on Instagram encouraging people to comment on what gender they thought baby 2 was. Blue was the favourite, then someone commented it was 'definitely a boy'. That was when the disappointment hit.

Before I say anymore I'll firstly say I know I'm incredibly lucky to have one child and to be expecting another. And that my main concern IS that I have a healthy and safe pregnancy and delivery but  you can't always control your feelings and emotions. 

 

Back in my teenage years and uni days I remember discussing hopes and dreams for the future and how I'd always wanted to be a mum and how I wanted a daughter. I guess these views and feelings stem from my relationship  with my mum and her relationship with her son (my half brother). I won't say anymore than that they don't have a relationship now and haven't done for many years. I think there is a difference between mother/daughter and mother/son relationships but that's based on my own experiences.

When I was pregnant with Eliot I can honestly say I really didn't mind whether I had a boy or girl, even though I'd convinced myself it was a girl. A work friend had mentioned I looked different and 'glowing'  the day before I took a pregnancy test. So when she said she thought I was having a girl I started to believe I was too! Also thanks to a trip away on a ghost hunt (don't ask) when I asked some metal rods that swung one way for 'yes' and the other for 'no' if I was having a girl and they said yes each time.

When we were told at a 16 week gender scan it was a boy I felt a pang of disappointment because I'd stupidly convinced myself it was a girl. That was it though, I was more excited about going baby boy clothes shopping. and super excited to be having my first child!

 

Because this is more than likely to be my last pregnancy I would really love to have a daughter and unknowingly I think I thought it was a girl. Thanks to the sonographer at my 20 week scan a seed was planted. I told her we didn't want to find out the gender but as she was looking around I did ask if she could see if it was a boy or girl, to which she replied she hadn't looked as it wasn't 'important'. She spent more time looking closely for all the things they check at the 20 week scan before saying 'move your leg missus' she paused for a few seconds before saying 'or Mr, whatever you are'.

 

The other half hadn't even noticed she said this. I said to myself and when talking to others that I was taking it with a pinch of salt. Some people and books do refer to babies as 'hes' or 'shes' rather than 'it' but if I was a sonographer I think I would have said 'move your leg baby', not missus or mister. Without really realizing, I begun to convince myself again that it was a girl until the comment on the Instagram photo of 'it's definitely a boy'. So I'm either having a very masculine looking girl or indeed it is a boy! As I said though the most important thing is that all is safe and healthy. It won't matter when he or she is here it's just those initial feelings and emotions I can't help.

 

 

Organix Weaning Bundle Giveaway! CLOSED

I've teamed up with the lovely team at Organix to give not one, not two but three lucky readers the chance to win an Organix weaning bundle!

Win an Organix weaning bundle, including the new Organix Little Book of Weaning

Just when you and your baby are in a confident routine with milk feeds, along comes weaning.  To help you we’ve got 3 amazing Organix weaning bundles up for grabs, a tasty selection of organic baby foods, plus a copy of the new Organix Little Book of Weaning.

Weaning provides the perfect opportunity for developing a healthy and balanced diet for your baby, giving them a healthy start in life.  It be might be messy and challenging, but weaning can also be exciting and full of fun.  

To help parents make sense of all the information Organix has launched its Little Book of Weaning. It aims to simplify things so parents and little ones can enjoy their weaning journey, and to encourage mums and dads to help their babies mash, lick, squash, squeeze and play with new foods.  From advice on how to tell when your little one is ready to start weaning, to top tips on making every mealtime fun, The Organix Little Book of Weaning is designed to help at every stage of this exciting time.

Your prize also includes weaning foods – Organix stage 1 cereals and fruit pots in simple tastes and smooth textures to help get you started, and stage 2 foods so you can add more tastes and textures at mealtimes as your baby’s confidence grows and you and your baby become more adventurous.  Plus, finger foods in a great range of shapes, textures and tastes to help your little one learn the skills they need to feed themselves.

If you’re not lucky enough to win you can download a free copy of the Organix Little Book of Weaning at www.organix.com/littlebookofweaning

Just enter the Rafflecopter for a chance of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eliot's 15 Month Update

 

 

General/milestones

I don't think there have been many big changes this month. You have learnt how to say 'ta' when we give you something but you only say it with us prompting you. You still babble away and point and grunt at things.
Your love for books continues to grow and you now bring them over and want to sit on our laps to read the story. You also still like putting the books on the sofa and flicking through the pages yourself.
We have been enjoying a little bit of sensory/messy play, you like playing with cornflour and prod it, eat it and squish it. It keeps you busy for a good ten minutes. Mummy needs to buy some different coloured food colourings to make it a bit more exciting! Playing with dry pasta has also been something that you have enjoyed.

At the park you have become faster getting around the climbing frame but what you really love to do is walk up and down the little hill of decked pathway and listen to your footsteps.
I suppose something that has really changed is you will sit down to watch Peppa Pig on the TV for a bit longer and will watch a few episodes on my ipad when I'm busy tidying. Before you wouldn't really watch it.

Really you just want to be on you feet exploring and investigating things, you are always looking for mischief!

Enjoying the cornflour

 



Feeding

This month you have been better with your food but can still be fussy at times. I find you might like a few mouthfuls of something then you'd rather come back to it later.

Weight

Finally we have got your 8-12 month check over and done with! Mummy found out that she should have booked your next set of immunisations so you are overdue, although they are scheduled for today! You were weighed and are now just over two stone! You're on the 98th percentile for weight and almost on the 98th percentile for your height, so you're just about in proportion.

 

Clothes

12-18 month clothes sill fit you, however you are wearing some 18-24 month clothes.

 

Sleeping

You are still continuing to sleep through from about 7.30pm-8pm until between 7am-8am. There have been the odd couple of nights when you have woken up but you went back to sleep very quickly.
 

Your Likes/Dislikes
Your like and dislikes are pretty much the same as last month

• You don't like having a poopy nappy changed and will run away
• You like reading/looking at books
• You like to be sung to
• You have become more interested in Peppa Pig
• You adore being mobile, to get around independently is really your most favourite thing
• You are  still obsessed with the washing machine, still particularly at Nana & Grandads
• You love the cats and stroke (grab) Mimi, Coco runs if you enter the same room
• You still enjoy nursery rhymes
• You love playing with balls, rolling, kicking or throwing them
• You don't like the noise from hand dryers in public toilets
• You continue to battle when having your nappy changed, it normally takes two of us

 

xxx



Baby First Year Favourites-Toys/Entertainment

 



There are a gazillion different toys on the market for babies and children but quite typically Eliot can often prefer playing with something a bit random! From waving a menu in a restaurant around to rolling plastic bottles along the floor, sometimes it's the simple things that he enjoys most. But saying that we as the consumer, as parents are drawn to the colourful medley of toys that are aimed at our little ones. Whether their gifts from family, friends or bought ourselves I think most of us certainly end up with an abundance of toys, some fab and some not so fab. So Eliot and I have done our second 'First Year Favourites' video and we're talking about our fave toys/entertainment!

 

 

 

What have been your favourite toys during the first year?

Tommee Tippee Steri-Bottles

I posted a photo of these steri-bottles on my instagram and facebook accounts the other day. A few people hadn't heard of them so I thought I'd do a quick post and share this handy product!

I first came across the bottles last summer when I'd forgotten a feed for Eliot, I didn't buy them then as he wasn't three months old but didn't forget about them. On bank holiday Monday we went away for the night and I thought they would be much easier than faffing with washing bottles and teats.

 

Quite simply they are sterilised disposable bottles that are ready to use and suitable for babies over three months. Perfect for one or two nights away, long days out or kept in at home in case of  unforeseen events.

All you need to do is remove one bottle and teat from the stack at a time. As long as you don't tear the packaging past the rest of the teats they will stay sterile. The bottles come in a bag which must be resealed each time a bottle is taken out.

We don't sterilise anymore so this wasn't an issue for us but it couldn't be any easier to do hassle free bottle feeding on the go.

 

As it turned out Eliot wouldn't actually drink from the bottles but this is no fault of the bottle! I bought a couple of cartons of toddler formula as they don't need to be stored in a fridge before they're opened. Whereas cows milk obviously does, we didn't have a fridge in the room and it was a bit stuffy.

Eliot took a couple of sips then refused to drink the formula that night. The next morning we tried again but he refused. When we did get some cows milk he wouldn't even try it as he thought it was still the formula. So we had a bit of a milk fail but I still think the steri-bottles are fab!

 

I'm pretty certain they can only be purchased from Boots (bigger stores and online). They are available in packs of two £2.49 or five £4.49.

 

 

Have you tried the Tommee Tippee steri-bottles?



Eliot's 13 Month Update

 

 

General/milestones

Mummy is late again at getting this post up! I can't believe how quickly the months fly past!

This month you have learnt to clap your hands, if someone says 'clap hands' or sings a song with those words you will clap hands! If I'd written this post on time I would still be saying you are very confident with walking but today you actually walked by yourself, lots of steps and did it several times! We are so so proud of you! Unfortunately you also banged your head against your cot when you tried to get up, so you have a nasty bruise :( 

We bought your first pair of shoes as you liked being on your feet outside holding our hands, they will be a necessity now you can walk by yourself. You were actually a lot more co-operative than I thought you would be when you had your feet measured. You are currently a 4.5 H and have a pair of Clarks Doodles.

We are still experiencing the tantrums, particularly when you can't have your own way. After talking to various other parents, you aren't the only one and I've been informed these will last until at least your second birthday!

Your first shoes!

 

Feeding

You have been on and off your food this past month, even some of your favourites! I think it could be because of the weather. It has been so hot and I know I don't feel like eating a lot so perhaps you feel the same. Raisins have fast become a favourite snack and you gobble these up! Nana Mary has been treating you to ice creams when you're out with her so you've learnt how to lick them and won't share with anybody! You've also tried some diluted pure juices, you didn't like the orange but you are a fan of apple and mango juice!

Weight

We have your 8-12 month check booked so I will be able to  update this in your next update!
 

Clothes

Nothing has changed here.

Sleeping

You had a very unsettled couple of nights when we stayed at Nana and Grandad's, I think you were too hot! 

Your Likes/Dislikes

• You are back to loving the washing machine, particularly at Nana & Grandads
• You love ice cream
• You don't like sit on rides when they move
• You stilldon't like having your nappy changed

Enjoying sitting on a ride and 'driving' but you cried when it started to move!

 



It's crazy how much you've grown and changed! I put some clips together of you from 7-13 months...

 

We love you lots

xxx

Ella's Kitchen Weeny Weaning Restaurant - REVIEW

 This week for a few days only Ella's Kitchen Weeny Weaning Restaurant popped up in South West London. We were lucky enough to experience what the 'worlds first sensory restaurant for babies' had to offer! To say I was excited to visit would be a bit of an understatement!
On arrival Eliot and I were met by the Ella's Kitchen team who showed us where to 'park up' before leading us down to the sensory play zone.

 The Weeny Weaning Restaurant concept involves babies experiencing  sights, smells and sounds so they are able to explore food in many different ways. There were songs to listen to (see video clip at the bottom for Eliot's dancing!) which Eliot wasn't too sure about at first but once he'd settled in, the music was definitely one of his favourite things!

There was play food and real food for babies to get to grips with to touch smell and taste, as well as flash cards and wooden books with pictures of food to look at. Eliot thoroughly enjoyed his experience in the sensory play zone and I think this is a brilliant way to familiarise babies with various foods by stimulating different senses.
Once Eliot had got his taste buds tingling we took a seat in the tasting zone.

 

Using a tablet, babies (with a bit of parent assistance) were able to choose their main and dessert. First I selected what age best suited Eliot (from 10 months). Next the tablet showed six options for a main and then six options for dessert. The one's that Eliot tapped the most were ordered. Watch the video at the bottom to see how the interactive menu was used.

 

 The Caribbean and Chicken and Mango pouch arrived very swiftly for Eliot to get stuck into. He  particularly loved the lid that covered the tablet and the tablet itself so they were a bit of a distraction for him. He continuously picked up the lid and swiped the screen with his messy fingers, hence the smeared screen above! Eliot enjoyed his Caribbean Chicken and Mango  but didn't finish it all, he's very nosy and was very interested in what was going on around him.

 

 

For dessert Eliot had chosen 'Berry Yummy' yogurt. He does have a sweet tooth so he made sure he finished his pud even though he was constantly looking around to see what everyone else was up to!

 

Funny face!



We had a great time at Ella's Weeny Weaning restaurant and I think this is a wonderful concept to get babies excited about food. There is a gap in the market for such restaurants, so I personally think they should pop up permanently in the future!

The Ella's Kitchen team will also be analysing what babies chose using the interactive menu and I'm very interested to see what they find!

 

 

Would you like to see Ella's Kitchen Weeny Weaning restaurants across the country?

 





Eliot's 11 Month Update

General/milestones

My little man, I can't believe that in one month I will be writing your 1 year update, 1 year! I can't believe that you've been in our lives for 11 months.

We looked back on some video clips when you were around 2 months, if we didn't have them it would be hard to believe you were ever that small.You seem like such a little boy now and not a baby!

You have hit some big milestones this month, you have just started to crawl and can pull your self up to stand. Here's a little clip of you on the move...

You were fine at the end, there wasn't a bump fortunately but you did have a big bump the other day. Which worried mummy and daddy but you stopped crying quickly and went back to your usual self.

You still like to walk around holding on to our hands but now you know you can get to what you want independently you will plonk yourself down and start crawling (usually towards the washing machine).

You also have two new teeth! That have come through next to each of the top two. I think you are still teething as you keep putting your fingers in your mouth and chewing them.

You are strong willed and we've seen glimpses of tantrums to come! You don't like being taken away from something you are enjoying like the swing or washing machine. When I change your nappy you can be very wriggly, making change time increasingly difficult! Sometimes when I'm carrying you and go into or leave a room you will start thrashing around and whinging because you don't want to go in or leave.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned that you give kisses, not always but sometimes you will give us a sloppy kiss! You like giving pictures and toys kisses!
You are also waving now which is very cute!

We've had some lovely weather this month so we've enjoyed picnics and parks.

 Blurry photos of you standing as you can't keep still!

Feeding

You still love your food but have had a funny few dinner times when you've refused to eat most of it but I think this is due to you teething. You also like to taste food before you eat it just to make sure you like it!
Bottles are still the same, you have three a day, two 7oz and a 5oz.

Weight

We haven't checked your weight but your 8-12 month check with the health visitor will be soon so we will find out then.    

Clothes

You are now wearing mostly 12-18 month stuff, even some of that only just fits but there are still a few larger 9-12 month bits that still fit you.

Sleeping

You have been waking up quite frequently because you have got yourself into an awkward position and can't turn back. As I've said I think your teeth have been bothering you so that's disturbed your sleep. Thankfully so far you are pretty happy going back to sleep.. 

My cheeky monkey

Your Likes/Dislikes

• You are obsessed with the washing machine and will sit for ages putting stuff in and taking stuff out

Other than that I don't think there's anything else that is too much different from a couple of months ago apart from you are much happier in your 'big boy carseat' than your old one!

I still can't believe you will be a whole  year next month!
Love you lots
xxxxx

Worlds First Virtual Clinic!

I wasn't aware that colic affected up to one in four babies, were you?

Friends of ours have had babies who have suffered with colic, giving accounts of constant crying for four hours every night to being inconsolable. Awful for baby to be in pain and stressful for parents trying their best to treat and console their baby.

 I can't imagine Eliot screaming for hours and not being able to console him. It would be horrendous. We are thankful that colic is something he hasn't suffered with.

Infacol is Britain's first choice when it comes to treating infant colic. It is suitable to use from birth and is free from sugar, colour and alcohol.

Recently Infacol have launched the Worlds First Virtual Clinic www.colichelp.co.uk introduced to help give parents some reassurance  about colic. This virtual clinic can be accessed at anytime of the day, which is ideal for parents who find themselves fretting during the night and can't call their GP.

For those parents who are worried that their baby is suffering from colic, you can now get support through your computer, tablet and smartphone. Infacol's new web app gives you assistance through video response answers to questions about colic. You can choose from 50 of the most common questions that are asked about colic or you can ask your own.

As a parent I have turned to the internet many times to investigate various symptoms and have been met by all sorts of responses. I think it's fantastic that Infacol have launched their new site, solely related to colic with answers in a video response.

If you think your baby could be suffering with colic head over to Infacol's virtual clinic for support. 

* I received some sweet treats as a thank you for writing about Infacol's new site.



Review-Shnuggle Baby Bath

Over the past few weeks we have been putting the Shnuggle Baby Bath through its paces. We are massive fans and have no doubts in declaring this is the best baby bath you will ever come across! What fills me with more confidence about the products by Shunggle, is that they are designed by parents. Who better to design baby products than parents themselves?!
We popped down to the Baby and Toddler Show at BlueWater today and were lucky enough to meet the lovely Shnuggle team and their newest edition to the family. Lovely people, fantastic products!!! If your heading down to the show tomorrow be sure to visit them!
To find out more watch my review.

Here it is...

 

* I was sent the product in exchange for a review.  All views are entirely my own

Here's your 10 month update Eliot!

General/milestones

Wow Eliot J you're 10 months old today, 10 months! I cannot believe in two months we will be celebrating your first birthday, it's ludicrous!

This month you do seem more grown up,  much more like a toddler than a baby! You continue to love being on your feet and taking steps holding on to someone's hand. I think you're a bit of lazybones when it comes to crawling as it still hasn't happened! But you have started the 'bum shuffle' move and can navigate yourself around on your tummy. In fact rolling onto your tummy in your cot the other day got you into a spot of bother. Your legs got caught inbetween the bars and of course you were very upset. I think as long as we put you in your sleeping bag this won't happen again.
You are still talking, lots of dadas, nanas, mamas and plenty of other noises!
When it comes to playing you seem to be more interested in your toys, particularly those with wheels, you adore spinning the wheels! At bath time you have started dropping your toys out of your bath and wait for us to put them back in the water so you can do the same thing again!
Excitingly you made your first ever Television Appearance on ITV. Mummy was asked to give her thoughts on using Skype to talk to doctors.

After filming. You did get a bit cranky but I'm sure most TV stars do! ;D

 We also celebrated your First Easter. You were spolit with not only chocolate but lots of other goodies too!

We had our first family holiday this month in rural Worcestershire, which you seemed to thoroughly enjoy. We did lots of things, country walks, safari park and Cadbury world visits to name a few.
  There are some videos of what we got up to over on You Tube but here's a few photos...

You loved going walks on daddy's back!

At Cadbury World

Trying to get a photo of all of us...You broke these sunglasses a couple of days later!

Feeding

You still love your food but can still be a bit crafty when it comes to what you eat. You seem to like things such as pepper and courgette if they are in a pasta sauce but are not so keen on them if they're not!

You still have a 7oz bottle when you wake up and before going to sleep and have a 4 or 5oz one in the morning or afternoon.

Weight

We haven't had you weighed again but I have no doubts you are putting on weight!         

Clothes

You are still on 9-12 months clothes mostly but it won't be long before you are in some 12-18 month clothes!

Sleeping

When we were away you slept in bed with me as you weren't too happy in your travel cot. It did get cold in the caravan so I think that had something to do with it. Otherwise you continue to sleep through the majority of nights. 

Your Likes/Dislikes

• You still love all the same things as last month
• Music is one of you're absolute favourite things You would rather watch and listen to nursery rhymes and programme intros than any program!
• I think your dislikes are the same too, I don't think there are any new ones.

Until 11 months Eliot J

xxxx