What we Eat for Breakfast: Porridge, Chia Seeds and Berries

We've been trying something a little different for breakfast lately and I thought I'd share it with you. It's basically just porridge, chia seeds and berries. We picked up the inspiration for it from Lady Smarts blog/youTube channel so if you want to explore it in a bit more depth head over to her blog and have a read. Both Ethan and I really enjoy this breakfast and it's great to finally get him eating berries! Breakfast time is such a fantastic way to sneak in fruits that babies won't usually eat. I usually mash different types of fruit that he usually refuses into things like porridge or weetabix - it works a trick! ;)

What I use:

+ Organic porridge oats

+ Chia seeds (fantastic source of protein)

+ Almond milk (or normal)

+ Blackberries

+ Blueberries

+ Rasberries

+ Flaked Almonds

+ Cinnamon

It's really simple and so healthy - the perfect way to start the day!

A Personal Insight: Fears

I’m around seven or eight, maybe younger, maybe older, but I’m young and I’m in the local pool with my Mum. We’ve been there before.. MANY times.

She’s asking me to trust her. She’s calmly and patiently persisting, she’s eager to teach me how to swim.. but I’m struggling!

I trust her, I do. But I don’t trust the water all around me and it scares me. I have no reason to be scared, but for some reason I seem to Iack confidence in the water.

If I could say that I’d never went swimming as a child then I’d have a reason. I’d know why at 25 (and a half) years old I can’t swim. But that’s not the case - I went swimming. I have many memories of it and many memories of my Mum continually trying to encourage me. In fact I even have memories of me attending swimming lessons with my school. I didn’t even do badly in these lessons.

Lots of things scare me – the usual things like heights, insects and of course death all have firm places on my ‘stuff I’m scared of’ list. But I appear to possess another fear and since becoming a parent I seem to be noticing it more and more..

It doesn’t have a name (that I know of anyway), but it seems I am quite a bit scared of ‘potential danger’..It’s not such an uncommon fear I’m sure, but it’s probably one I need to get a good grip on since as a parent, I will need to find the ability to ‘let go’ a little and then a lot. I need to be able to trust in things I don’t necessarily have the power to control.

For example..Swimming.

At Ethans second lesson they wanted to try submerging him to get him use to being under the water and coming back up (in case he ever fell in). This perhaps sounds a bit harsh (well it did to me) but it seems it is normal practice.

And since we’ve joined an advanced class all of the other babies in our group who are Ethans age are able to be held by a trainer under the water and ‘swim’  half the length of the baby pool and come back up to the surface to their waiting Mum (or Dad) – which is bloody impressive!

But because Ethan is new to the course, we’re just working on being able to submerge him for a few seconds very slowly and gently so he gets used to being under water.

Now.. As lovely and impressive as that all sounds I have a bit of a problem with it and the problem isn’t Ethan.

I watched every single one of those babies go under water and come back up to their parents and they were all fine, in fact they appeared to really be enjoying themselves. It was impressive, watching a 10/11/12 month old be able to do that and it was obvious to see just how beneficial the skills they learn now in the water will be to them as they grow older.

But it was my own fear they made me resistant to let Ethan go underwater, it was my own fear that had a slight panic attack watching these babies do what they were doing.. with the panic only calming as I saw their smiley faces emerge one by one from the water.

I’d tried to shake it off and let my own fears go for Ethans sake, but when it came to it I just couldn’t let him go underwater. Encouragement from the instructor and a mental telling off to myself meant we had another go and he did it!

Ethan was okay, a little shocked as you’d expect but not panicked, not hysterical, not like I felt inside. The shock and realisation that I’d firstly given the okay to the instructor to do it and then held him myself and done it wiped across my face.The instructor reminded me that I NEEDED to smile, that I had to show Ethan that it was okay, I had to encourage him and praise him. And so shrugging off my lack of confidence for my Son, I did just that.

We managed to do three submersions and on every one my fear returned, but at the same time Ethan was fine. I know that with everyone we do Ethan takes a step closer to being able to ‘swim’ half the length of the pool underwater back into my arms. And on every one we’ll be a step closer to being able to trust in the water , we’ll be a step closer to finding confidence in things that aren’t always safe. But through this confidence we’ll learn how to be safe.

I have lots of fears, lots of things I am unconfident about and water is just one of them. But now that I’m somebody’s Mum it’s time dust myself off, plant a smile on my face and jump right out of my comfort zone. It’s time to teach my baby the life skills that he will need and discover all the amazing things that he (and I) can do.

Thank you to Konfidence for the opportunity to take these swimming lessons with Ethan and to the amazing instructors at SwimKidz who do such a brilliant job.

Mummy Style: Inspiration for Expectant Mothers

In theory, maternity dress shopping should be one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences that you will ever encounter as a woman. However, this is not always the case, as finding dresses that strike the ideal balance between style and functionality can be a genuinely difficult task! But it's not necessarily impossible, that is, when you broaden your search beyond the high street and consider independent online brands like Bibee Dresses (who have kindly provided a discount code for the readers of my blog which entitles you to 30% off all full price items over on their site. The code is 'bumptobaby' if you would like to use it :)

Finding Dresses to Wear Throughout your Pregnancy and Beyond

The same principle also applies to identifying suitable dresses once your baby has been born, as tasks such as breast-feeding can provide a significant challenge. With this in mind, here are some choices of dresses that you can wear throughout your pregnancy without compromising on either style or function!

The Black Maxi Dress

The black maxi dress is an undisputed classic, and has also been adapted into a customisable garment for pregnant women. More specifically, you can wear an elegant and sleek maxi dress along with a selection of mix and match accessories, including alternative dress fronts and t-shirts. These can be rotated and changed within a matter of moments, meaning that as a soon-to-be mother you can quickly change your look without compromising on your overall sense of style. Ideal for elegant and restrained evenings out while pregnant, you can customise your look according to your exact, real-time needs.

The Navy Length Knee Dress

While the idea of wearing a sleek and fitted maxi dress may inspire most pregnant women, there are also times where this type of garment may be slightly out of place. If you are expecting to give birth but want to look your best during casual, day time hours, for example, you would be better suited by investing in a knee length dress that can also be personalised with versatile panels and t-shirts. While this works in much the same way as the maxi dress, it offers a more suitable option for coffee with girls or informal lunches with friends

The Eggplant Knee Length Dress

Once your baby has been born, how about an eggplant knee length dress and accompanying t-shirt for breast feeding. These alternative panels can be worn in style and comfort, while also ensuring that your baby can have discreet access to the breast regardless of your physical location. Once again, the garments combine style with function and allows you to look immediately after giving birth, unlike figure hugging maternity clothes that tend to hug your figure.
This is a guest post on style for expectant and post pregnancy Mums. 

Parenting: How to Get your Baby to Sleep Alone

Having a baby is one of the biggest challenges life can throw at you. There’s no test you can pass or fail and there’s certainly no rehearsal, and with every baby and parent having different needs, some of the most basic stages of our children's development can be the hardest.

Encouraging our babies to sleep alone is just one of these stages, but it can be difficult based on our own different abilities to let go and of course our child’s dependence on our company. Ethan tends to go to bed in his cot at night but then wake up in the night to come in with us. We're currently working on this and knowing how difficult getting through this stage can sometimes be I thought I would share a few things that I've picked up so far to help tackle this at times quite difficult stage:

Create a comfortable sleeping environment

Whether you have a baby learning to sleep alone for the first time or a toddler learning to sleep in his or her own bed, it’s always important that you make this transition as comfortable as possible. Invest in a sleep easy bed if your child is slightly older, and for younger babies, try a baby sleeping bag, which will restrict unnecessary movement in the cot and also keep them warm in the winter. Personally, we are BIG fans of sleeping bags. I find they offer such reassurance compared to blankets/duvets and Ethan always looks so snuggled when he's got his on. We've tried many different sleeping bags but our favourite is this one from The Gro Company. It's ultra comfy and I love the pattern and the free nursery thermometer is really handy! :] Take a closer look: here.

Wean your baby

Night time feeds are a big part of teaching your baby to sleep alone, so it’s important to understand when they can sleep through the night without the need to be fed. Generally speaking, babies between four and six months can sleep throughout the night without feeding providing they have had sufficient calories throughout the day. Start the process slowly, and even if you have to wake up in the middle of the night, don’t immediately feed your baby – try comforting them first to ease them back into a comfortable, self-reliant sleep.

Choosing timing carefully

Every baby develops at a different rate, so read your baby’s signals and respond to them appropriately. Many parents (my Husband and myself included) decide to leave their baby sleeping alone from around six months, but it is entirely up to you and how comfortable you feel. Before six months, encourage the mother and baby bond with a cot or Moses basket next to your bed, which you can easily move into a separate bedroom when your baby is ready.

Eliminating distractions

Computers, televisions and other electronic devices can all disturb your baby while he or she is sleeping particularly bright screens (Ethan never falls asleep at night with us in the living room when we have the TV on) so keep these off or remove them from your baby's room altogether.

I hope that this has helped any other Mums/Dads who are also currently trying to get their little ones to sleep on their own. It can be a difficult stage to overcome but persistence and patience is most definitely the key!

 

Something Sentimental

Like many women I adore anything sentimental. That's why I'd lusted after a Pandora bracelet for all that time, I liked the concept, maybe not so much the price tag but the concept had really stood out to me. Having the lovely Husband that I do, he surprised me with a pandora bracelet the morning of our wedding and I've treasured it tightly ever since collecting and adding charms from time to time to mark special occasions.

To mark the arrival of our first child, we went and brought a charm in the shape of a teddy bear holding a blue ribbon to signify Ethan being a little boy.  

Just recently an online jewellers named 'Hand on Heart' who are creators and designers of personalised jewellery and gifts kindly asked if I'd like to add another special sort of charm to my little collection. Intrigued I clicked over to their website and within an instant fell straight in love with their beautiful creations.

What makes them different and stand out from the crowd is the fact that their beautiful creations can all be completely personalised (and not just with a name) -- they are handcrafted using their customers loved ones handprints, footprints or even paw prints! 

The special ordering system that they use is simple and actually lots of fun! They send out special printing kits that you use at home (you may have seen me taking Ethans prints via Instagram last week) so it makes it nice and easy for anyone in the world to order. The type of jewellery that they offer this service on includes charm beads (handcrafted to fit Pandora, Troll and Lovelinks), necklaces, bracelets, keyrings and more! They also have a Mini Artist Range so you can get gifts featuring your little one's artwork and messages!

As you can see I was very kindly sent one of their bracelet charms which has been personalised just for me! On the front is my little boys name next to his actual handprint and then on the back is his birth date and a print of his actual footprint. I couldn't really start to explain just how special it feels to have added this unique little charm to my collection. Whenever I am away from Ethan I'll be able to pop on my charm bracelet and look at his hand and foot prints whenever I start to feel a little sad without him. To me - this is the perfect gift. 

GIVEAWAY
With Fathers Day coming up here in the UK we thought that a little giveaway for the Dads would be the most appropriate!

One lucky winner will win a personalised handprint keyring from hand on Heart Jewellery. All you have to do is enter via the rafflecopter form below.  You must read and accept my giveaway disclaimer found here before entering. The winner will be chosen at random and announced via my blogs Facebook page. Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Retail Therapy in Edinburgh – What’s in Store?

Most people who don’t live in Edinburgh head there because of its array of attractions and the entertainment options that it has to offer. However, its shopping opportunities shouldn’t be ignored, either.  Whether you’re a lover of designer fashions, or you prefer independent labels that you won’t find anywhere else, Edinburgh is awash with bijou boutiques and high street stores that will satiate your thirst for shopping. 

In fact, why not incorporate a shopping spree into a mini-break in the Scottish capital? The Travelodge hotel is in the heart of the city, with rooms available to book at https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/book/edinburgh-hotels. Its location makes it the perfect place to return to after a busy day hitting the shops. Have a think about what you’d like to buy during your visit to the city and take a look at some of these shops and stores that can be found in Edinburgh for your perusal. 

Head to Princes Street if you’re after some of the major name shops and stores. You’ll also find the Jenners department store, which is famous within Edinburgh, to the point where it’s considered to be one of the city’s major landmarks. First opening in the 19^th century, Jenners is home to House of Fraser goods, which are some of the finest you’ll find on the high street. 

Near to Princes Street, in St. Andrews Square, you’ll find the Scottish branch of Harvey Nichols. It’s the only one in Scotland, so is the place to go if you’re a lover of the goods you can find within the store. Head over to George Street and you’ll find a mishmash of designer and high street stores, lined up together in harmony. 

Meanwhile, the area of Grassmarket is a haven for independent boutiques and unique shops selling all manner of wares, from contemporary clothing and vintage treats, to first edition books and antiquities that would look perfect in your display cabinet. 

If you are after some typically touristy souvenirs that you can take back home with you, the Royal Mile is the place to go. You’ll find all the major souvenirs here in the various shops, from postcards and magnets to shot glasses and tea towels. Plus much, much more. The Royal Mile is also home to shops selling items that Edinburgh, and Scotland, is famous for producing, including cashmere, whisky and fudge. 

You will find other areas of the city, and the surrounding Lothians, which add plenty of charisma and uniqueness to the mix. The West End, Morningside and Stockbridge are all home to some unusual shops that ooze appeal for locals and visitors alike. Stop off at one of the tearooms for an afternoon brew, and take the weight off your feet, before browsing the stores once more. 

Shopping is only one facet of Edinburgh – you’ll need a couple of days or more to appreciate the city in all its glory. Incorporate some retail therapy into your visit and enjoy treating yourself this summer – plan your visit to coincide with the Edinburgh Fringe and your visit will be even better! 

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Long weekend ideas for just the two of you

The summer holidays are fast approaching and whether you have teenagers or toddlers, you’re going to need an abundance of activities to keep them entertained. Not one to give the kids the latest gadget, sociable and unusual activities is the way to go.  Yes, searching for a number of activities for the whole family is essential, but what about just the two of you as well?

A visit to the capital with a sporty edge

The great thing about a city like London is the sheer amount of entertainment to suit all tastes. Easily accessible from anywhere in the UK, and affordable too, you can embrace bustling city life and culture. A Broadway show and spot of sightseeing should definitely be on the cards, but if you’re a sporty couple looking for something original to do, why not plan a day at the races? Just a stone’s throw away from centre London, Kempton is the perfect place to watch your first bit of horse racing. 

Paris and beyond

The great thing about Paris is you can visit multiple times and yet it feels like new. Instead of sticking on the tourist track, head away into the rustic, cobbled streets and discover authentic cuisine and Parisian life. From authentic to whimsical, if you’ve never experienced Disneyland, now is your chance! You’re never too old to appreciate Disney. Although, you should probably keep your visit quiet form the kids! Paris will ignite your passion and create lasting memories too. 

A rambling road trip

If you’re a fan of the countryside, and us Brits happen to be spoilt for choice, you can take a rambling road trip around some of the most iconic views in the UK. Snowdon is a must but if you want to start small, try the poetic hills of North Yorkshire. And if you’re not a keen hiker, not a problem! Great Britain has arguably the best bicycle routes in the world, free of traffic and noise. Opt for your bicycle and feel the benefit of keeping healthy and the fresh air. Imagine the amazing night’s sleep you’ll have after the fresh air...

A taste of the Italian 

Whether it’s the romantic streets of Venice or the vibrant capital of Rome, Italy is a short and convenient flight away. If you’re a foodie, Italy is the place to be. With authentic Italian cuisine, romantic walks through the cobbled streets and the friendly locals, you will have the time of your lives and have that much-needed breather from the kids too. Take a chance and book your flights late to get some great last-minute deals! Who knows what you’ll discover...

There are still a couple of bank holidays coming up, and probably a lovely sunny trip you’ve booked too and here’s hoping this sunny weather sticks around. Make the most out of your holiday time and book a long weekend away. Whether it’s a short trip to Europe or taking in the breathtaking Great Britain views, a long weekend away will refresh and revitalise.

This post was written by Sue Williams.

5 Ways That We Can All Be Just A Little Bit Healthier

I know!..

..We’ve heard all of these before, but sometimes we all just need to take a moment to stop and remind ourselves to be a little more healthier because sadly we’re all as guilty as each other (some more than others – like myself) of falling back into bad habits after promising ourselves that we’d absolutely be trying harder this year! You know with our new year resolutions and all that..

So here we have it, 5 ways that we can all be just that little bit more healthier..

1. Use your legs not your tyres – we’re all guilty of driving 5 minutes down the road because we ‘couldn’t be bothered’ to walk! Well now the weathers warmer here in the UK there really is no excuse! So let’s ditch the car and get our legs moving!

2. If you puff try some alternative stuff – Smoker? Want to stop but have been putting it off? Why not try ecigs? Websites like e-cigstore.co.uk have starter kits aimed at people making the transition and what's more is they're offering my readers 15% off any order using the code 'bumptobaby15'. So why not start today? Today’s as good as any other day!

3. Save cash and turn on the tap – We fork out so much on drinks every week but it’s a. healthier and b. free to turn on the tap and fill up a glass of water! Add a slice of lemon or lime to it and it’s actually a really refreshing drink!

4. Swap that choccie for a banana (OR alternatively INSERT favourite fruit here!) – We’re all guilty of it. We should all do this one. So let’s try it, ..today!

5. Make like a fish and swim! – Now it’s pretty much summer, we all need to find ways to cool ourselves down. Most people are heading to the stores to pick up a fan but why not go for a little dip at your local pool? It’ll cool you down and keep you nice and fit!

Post in collaboration with e-cigstore.co.uk

The beginning of summer?

How lovely is it to finally see and feel the sun?! It's been such a lovely weekend and it gets me so excited for more summertime days. Everyone seems to be happier when the suns out and everything feels so much better, even work! 
 

  Yesterday I spent the day with my little sister and my one of my brothers, I took them shopping into Milton Keynes and treated them to a pizza and a present each for their birthdays. It was nice to spend some time together as we don't usually get the opportunity and the 10 year age gaps make that harder.    Today was family day! Sunday is the day that Adam, Ethan and I get together every week now that I'm back at work -- so we always try to make the most of it. As we knew the weather was going to be good we planned ahead and decided on a picnic at Willen Lake. We had such a lovely time and after eating we took a short stroll around part of the lake and then spent some time in the park pushing Ethan on the swings and of course eating ice cream! :)  

Oh and a special mention to Ethans new sandal shoes! Clarks very kindly sent us a voucher so that we could pick him up a new pair of shoes for summer and we decided on these super cute pair which I got on Saturday whilst shopping. I have to say that Clarks has become my go-to store for shoes for Ethan -- I was recommended them a while ago now by some lovely Mummys on Instagram and Facebook and when we went to get him some I was so pleased with Clarks measuring service and the shoes themselves that I'd been meaning to go back for a while now as Ethans feet have recently just grown again. And on Saturday when we went in, the service was again brilliant and there was a fantastic selection of shoes to choose from! These particular shoes are priced at £30, I think their perfect for summer especially with the holes in the side to help air Ethans little toes and stop him from getting to hot! :) You can see the full range of Clarks baby shoes here.

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the sunshine!

Perfect Gifts for the Perfect Host

If you have a friend that is always one for having the whole gang round all the time, and their birthday is coming up or anything other occasion that requires getting them a gift, choosing something to appeal to their hosting side would no doubt go down a treat.

After all, there are loads of things out there that you could get them to put a smile on their face on their special day, as well as yours when they have you around for tea! We’ve put together a list of some of the best ideas we’ve found to get you inspired (and of course to always secure you an invite when they plan their next dinner party!). 

Tea or coffee bits and bobs

Something to aid their favourite habit – feeding their caffeine fix – and to help them serve their favourite tea time drinks to their favourite people is a great idea. The plus of this as well is that there are loads of ideas and options out there, from pretty, flowery teapots and serving trays to personalised photo coasters (available online from myphotogifts.co.uk). Or if they love something even more flush, a brand spanking new coffee or tea maker is sure to bump you up on their Christmas card list. 

Something a little stronger

If their tipple of choice tends to be more champagne than chai, a nice bottle of bubbly with some fancy serving accessory could be really nice. Things like swanky decanters are perfect for that friend who thinks they’re a real wine connoisseur, especially as they’re a little bit different and unique too. You could team it with a bottle of their favourite drink from their birth year or other significant year to show just how much thought you’ve put into it, too. 

Serving up a treat

For those who love nothing more than cooking for their friends and family, some really nice new serve ware is a good idea. It could be anything from sharing plates to drinks trays, or to things like baking items like cupcake stands or plates. There is a big selection on this site for everyday serving utensils too, like serving spoons and tongs which a true foodie hostess would always appreciate as they no doubt never seem to have enough! 

Green fingered goodies

If they seem to have all of those bases covered, something to make their entertaining room of choice a little bit more appealing would always go down a treat. This could be any form of decorative accessory really but you can never go wrong with a really nice plant or pot of flowers. Think about their favourite colours and the colour schemes of their home and work around that to find them something that would really appeal to them in particular. You could go for rustic plant pots with bright florals in, or pretty antique tea cups with dainty little flowers inside to put a smile on their face on their special day. 

Monthly Mummy/Baby Product + Brand Love | May 2014

So I thought it might be nice to feature some of the products or brands that have sent us their products for consideration that I am especially in love with in a monthly post. I will probably be featuring around just 5 or 6 of our favourites every month and reviewing them this way. 
Here are this months top favourite Mummy/Baby products + brands: 
WATERWIPES I had been meaning to try these for so long, but I'd never got around to it. When they sent us out a couple of packs I was excited (yeah - excited over wipes haha). They are so much more moist than any other brand and worked really well for us. Ethan does suffer from nappy rash at times and I found that these made the redness a lot less. Find them HERE.
MUMS OFFICE I've reviewed for MUMS office before, they have an awesome pregnancy planner that I'm sure if you search via my search bar you will agree with me on. And this time they sent us their MUMS To Do list and their MUMS Notes notebook. Both of which are super fab! I'm always trying to be more organised and silently shouting at myself each night before I go to sleep that I haven't done what I should have done that day. But these two little gems have finally helped me pull myself together and get organised! Find them HERE.

LINDAM I still haven't got around to putting all my new Lindam safety locks up yet as it's still pretty hectic here. But we recently installed one of their narrow baby gates that they kindly sent us on our stairs and it's brilliant. Our doorways are all weirdly shaped and finding a baby gate was going to be a pain, but Lindam's is brilliant. Highly recommended! We also have one of their stair gates on our living room. In fact, we have so many of their products whether brought or sent to us. We can't get enough of Lindam- they are a super brand! Find Lindam HERE.

KONFIDENCE Of course I want to give a special mention to this brand in particular because we recently became official swimologists for them and we are ABSOLUTELY loving their products. If you're looking for swimwear for babies at an affordable price, I cannot recommend them enough. I couldn't be happier with Ethans swimming attire! Find them HERE.

THE CAMOUFLAGE COMPANY I'd never heard of this company before they popped an email in my inbox. I'm so glad they got in touch because they have so many lovely products for sale. They sent us this round storage basket in blue and it's such a lovely addition to Ethans bedroom. I am storing his toys in it but it can be used for pretty much anything including washing, which I may change it to in the future. Their products are visually stunning and so that's why they're making my monthly favourites list! I will be featuring one of their bags soon too so keep an eye out for that. The storage basket is £25 and can be found HERE. (Comes in some other colours too!)

 Have you tried any of these brands? If so, who's your favourite and why?