The Baby Show Olympia

At the weekend we went to 'The Baby Show' at Olympia. I was desperate to go to the show back in February whilst I was pregnant but in the end never got round to getting tickets. But the other half got them this time! I thought it would be helpful to do a review for anyone considering going to any of the future 'Baby Shows'

I really enjoyed our day out and would recommend it to any parents but particularly first time expectant parents! There was everything you could possibly ever need for a new arrival under one roof. From big brands such as Maxi Cosi, Mothercare and Tommee Tippee to independent retailers. Pretty much all of them were offering cheaper prices on the day but I would say do your research before you go, as a lot of stuff you can find cheaper elsewhere. For example I was in Tesco the other day about to buy a Gro-Egg that was priced at £13. However I thought I'd wait until the show to see if it was cheaper. That wasn't the case and they were more expensive at £17.50.
I must say I was overwhelmed by all the stalls, when I'm like that  I go in to 'buy mode' so I did have to refrain myself from buying items we didn't really need. With that in mind I think it would be a good idea to go with a list of things you need to purchase and try to avoid impulse buys. Another tip would be to make sure you go round the exhibition at least once to compare prices. Also give haggling a go, someone did it next to me and managed to get a deal to save some money!
We didn't get round to seeing any of the talks with guest speakers/experts but it's worthwhile choosing any you wish to listen to and shopping around them. I would've liked to have gone to the 'First Aid' talk.

For any parents with young children there was a Fisher Price crèche to keep them entertained whilst parents shopped.
There was a big changing area with plenty of changing tables, we used it a few times and never had to wait. They were also giving away packs of Asda nappies and wipes as well as offering them for changing. We came away with three packs of nappies and about five wipes!

Some of the things we got up to...

1. Meeting Apprentice winner Tom at his 'Nipper Clipper' stall.

2. & 3. Eliot and myself testing out the giant Fisher Price bouncer.

4. A view of the exhibition.

What we bought...



Five bibs for £10 from Funky Giraffe after reading Emma's review on her blog Emma and Alfie

They really are lovely and there was such a vast range to choose from, we couldn't decide and were at the stall for ages! They are thick and soft which means the dribble does not get through!

 1.

 1.Personalised train. £1 for each letter/carriage. 

2. Pink lining 'Blooming Gorgeous' change bag £55.

3. New invention by Tom from The Apprentice. Baby Nail Clippers & file £5.

I'd been looking at personalised trains on 'Not On The High Street' and had been planning on getting one. When Eliot moves in to his own room his bedding is train themed so I wanted little touches to got with that.

I really like Pink Lining change bags and I've had my eye on them since I was pregnant but never got round to getting one. So when their older designs were on offer for £55 I couldn't resist!

We met Tom who seemed like a genuinely nice guy, asked about Eliot and told us about his son. He also signed our purchase! These nail clippers are great and feel totally different to using other bay nail clippers.

We didn't buy much as obviously with a four month old we have all the 'big' essentials. All in all we had a great afternoon!

Did you go to the baby show?

Eliot's 4 month update

This is the first update I have done as I've only recently started blogging.
I cannot believe our boy was four months exactly yesterday, I know every parent says it but I really don't know how we got here so quickly!

General/milestones

Eliot usually sleeps through the night but does have the odd wake up and will need a little milk before going back to sleep. One of my favourite things is waking up to him 'talking' in the mornings and when I go over to pick him up he gives the biggest smiles! He is a happy chappy in the mornings!

He has been determined to sit up since before he was three months, obviously he hasn't quite accomplished it yet but can pull himself up when he holds on to you. 

His hair has grown a lot over the past month.

He has recently got better with hand eye co-ordination and can hold objects and put them towards is mouth. He also grabs hold of anything that passes his grasp, hair, clothing, skin etc etc!

There's a lot more gabbling, gurgling and in the past week or so has developed a high pitched squeal/shriek/scream...lovely!



Feeding

Eliot adores his bottles and has 7oz bottles during the day and an 8oz bottle before going to bed. In the past month he has started kicking up a fuss when he finishes bottles. He is a reflux baby and has just gone through two boxes of infant Gaviscon after the GP prescribed it and asked us to keep a diary. It certainly makes a difference but he still sometimes brings up a little milk, he'll be reviewed in November.
Earlier today Eliot had his first taste of baby rice and seemed to enjoy it!

Before...



After!

Weight

I don't know how much he weighs as we haven't been to the health visitor for weeks but the last time we were there he weighed 13lb 10oz, so I'm sure he is somewhere within the 15lb-16lb mark.

Clothes

Eliot is in 3-6 months clothes but I can see that swiftly changing to 6-9 months with some items. Especially all in ones and jeans etc.

Eliot's Likes/Dislikes

• In the morning after his first bottle he likes to have a play on his gym but not so keen to go on it at other times of the day.
• He loves attention and often seeks it by his high pitched squeals.
• As always loves bottle time. 
• Loves baths
• Since 3 months he has become more aware of our cats and has recently started smiling and laughing at them.
•  Enjoys putting things in his mouth.
•  Loves being out and about the move, he often gets cranky if we stop!
• Likes playing with more toys and looking at books.
• Doesn't like his sleep being disturbed (who does?!)
• Does not like tummy time

Silent Sunday 27/10/13

Recent baby buys #Toys

Last week I went shopping at Lakeside in Essex. Well we didn't actually make it to the shopping centre but visited a few shops in the retail parks including Kiddicare. The last time I was there Eliot was a five month bump!
My intention was to buy a highchair in preparation for weaning but that plan was swiftly abandoned  and  I came away with some of his first Christmas presents.
Here is what I bought...



L

Polka Party Walker £19.99

Buzzing Brains Rocking Rings £5.59

Vtech Nursery Rhymes Book £7.48

Buzzing Brains Pound-a-ball £7.48

Eliot will be exactly six months on boxing day so I'm sure he will be ready for the walker. I thought this was a bargain at the reduced price of £19.99. I like the fact the toy is removable so that he can also play with other toys on the tray and perhaps have snacks on it. It has two height positions so will adapt as Eliot grows.

I really love the Buzzing Brains stacking ring, they are bright and colourful. I particularly like that two of the rings have beads/balls inside for more stimulation.

I remember buying a Vtec musical book for my niece years ago. I just adore the words, pictures, music all combined into a robust book that can be wiped clean without any pages that can be torn.

Last but not least I picked up the pound-a-ball toy which is recommended from 12 months but I'm sure Eliot will use it before then. It will be perfect to help develop hand-eye co-ordination.

All of the toys were reduced but I was very disappointed when I discovered that both Buzzing Brains toys had 50% off a couple of days later. I emailed Kiddicare to see if I could refund the difference without trekking to our nearest store but they said they couldn't, I went would have to go to a store. The difference is only just over a fiver but with Christmas approaching quickly we could all do those little savings!

What toys have you bought for your little ones this Christmas?

70 Have You Ever

70 Have You Ever?

Tagged by the lovely Emma @emmandalfie_91

1. Taken a picture naked? No.

2. Painted your room? Yes.

3. Kissed a member of the same sex? Yes.

4. Drove a car? Yes.

5. Danced in front of your mirror? Yes.

6. Had a crush? Yes.

7. Been dumped? Yes.

8. Stole money from a friend? No!

9. Gotten in a car with people you just met? Yes.

10. Been in a fist fight? No.

11. Snuck out of your house? Yes.

12. Had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back? Yes.

13. Been arrested? No.

14. Made out with a stranger? Yes.

15. Met up with a member of the opposite sex somewhere? Yes.

16. Left your house without telling your parents? Yes.

17. Had a crush on your neighbor? No.

18. Ditched school to do something more fun? No.

19. Slept in a bed with a member of the same sex? Yes.

20. Seen someone die? No.

21. Been on a plane? Yes.

22. Kissed a picture? Yes.

23. Slept in until 3? No.

24. Love someone or miss someone right now? Yes.

25. Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by? Yes.

26. Made a snow angel? No.

27. Played dress up? Yes.

28. Cheated while playing a game? Yes.

29. Been lonely? Yes.

30. Fallen asleep at work/school? No.

31. Been to a club? Yes.

32. Felt an earthquake? Yes.

33. Touched a snake? Yes.

34. Ran a red light? Yes.

35. Been suspended from school? No.

36. Had detention? Yes.

37. Been in a car accident? Yes.

38. Hated the way you look? Yes.

39. Witnessed a crime? Yes.

40. Pole danced? No.

41. Been lost? Yes.

42. Been to the opposite side of the country? I think so.

43. Felt like dying? No.

44. Cried yourself to sleep? Yes.

46. Sang karaoke? Yes.

47. Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? Yes.

48. Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes.

49. Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes.

50. Kissed in the rain? Yes.

51. Sang in the shower? Yes.

52. Made out in a park? Yes.

53. Dream that you married someone? Yes.

54. Glued your hand to something? No.

55. Got your tongue stuck to a flag pole? No.

56. Ever gone to school partially naked? No.

57. Been a cheerleader? No.

58. Sat on a roof top? Not that I can recall.

59. Brush your teeth? Yes.

60. Ever too scared to watch scary movies alone? Yes.

61. Played chicken? No.

62. Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? No.

63. Been told you’re hot by a complete stranger? Yes

64. Broken a bone? No.

65. Been easily amused? Yes.

66. Laughed so hard you cried? Yes.

67. Mooned/flashed someone? No.

68. Cheated on a test? No.

69. Forgotten someone’s name? Yes..

70. Slept naked? Yes

A bit of fun post!

I tag all of you! :)