ULTIMATE gift guide for a one year old

My little babe turns one at the start of August and I have started an ULTIMATE gift list for a one year old - now Winston won't be getting spoiled with everything on this list but I thought it might be useful to other Mum's out there who might be stuck for ideas.

    Also I am going to send this blog to family and friends as they keep asking what Winston would like...

Some items we already have in preparation, they just need wrapping:

1. The snack on-the-go pot, Vital Baby, £4.99 

A practical present for a baby that just loves his food. It's perfectly sized for little hands to reach food through the soft silicone slatted lid.
2. Swim Rings, Vital Baby, £9.99
The one thing we lack in our home is toys for bath time and now we have weather to rival the desert, the paddling pool is out most days with very poor toy choice. The swim rings are also a great development toy, when talking through the colours and the animals - Winston loves a good Quack sound.

3. BabyBjorn Dinner Set, BabyBjorn, £33.99
With weaning in full swing you can never have enough meal time gear and this set come in four pastel shades with a bib, plate, spoon and a spork and a little cup. One of my sons favourite toys is his spoon!
4. Classic Baby Dream Blanket, Aden and Anais, £44.95
Every baby needs a 'blankie' and this one is so soft and cuddly its the perfect companion we have been using it as a picnic blanket. Aden and Anais is not new to our household we have lots from the brand but these newly released prints including the fish design are just too beautiful not to buy.
5. The Sleepyhead Grand, Sleepyhead of Sweden, £238
A step up from the baby version, this is a must - I even lied down for a second and nearly shut my eyes, with the beautiful design features and it is suitable from 9 months - 3 years its the perfect edition to your little ones nursery.
6. ErgoPounch Sleep Suit Bag, £49.99
Now Winston is a little bit older the sleepsuit with legs is a dream, especially when they might try and get up in their cot at night and there is even a grip for little walkers.
7. Ride on Car Toy, The White Company, £96  This is going to feature as Winston's main gift for his birthday, all set up with his presents surrounding it, i think I am more excited than Christmas.
8. Bumbo Multi Seat & Suction Toys, Bumbo £79.91
Off to Grandma's? Don't forget your Bumbo the perfect travel companion for your little one, suitable from 6 - 36 months. It can be used as a floor seat, strapped to an adult chair for feeding or as a booster by just removing the pad. The suction toys are the perfect accessory and with four to choose from with Luca the Lion being our favourite.
9. Prettier Playmats, The Earth Series Dove, ToddleKind, £89
This truly is a pretty play mat, part of Toddlekind's new 'Earth Series' collection with stunning colours, and this cool grey one really caught my eye and replaces my carpet and looks beautiful. With the spotted design you can create a number of different designs and it will keep you little one from bumping their bum.

Items still on the wish list:

1. Finger Paint Set, Jo Jo Maman Bebe, £13
2. Babiators, Natural Baby Shower, £22.50
3. Intex Dinosaur Play Center. £49.99 - i think they have a 25% offer running
4. Aquadoodle Deluxe Doodle Mat, Amazon,£21.99
5. Leapfrog Learning Friends 100 words book, £19.99
6. Leapfrog Letter Band phonics Jam, Harrods, £29.95
7. Baby's Very First Big Play Book, Usborne, £14.99 - any book that has flaps and makes noise is a winner.
8. Wee Gallery Baby Bath Book, Liberty London, £8.99
9. Skip Hop Explore & More Sort and Spin Yeti Toy, John Lewis £30
10. Little Tikes Little Baby Bum Singing Storybook, Amazon ,£23
11. Scuttlebug, Amazon, £19.99
12. Wee Gallery Alphabet cards, The Modern Nursery, £20
13. Clothes from some of my favourite brands: Bonds, Zara
14. Casdon Dyson Cordless Vacuum Toy, Selfridges, £22
15. Play Tunnel, Scandiborn
16. My First Soccer Ball, Smyths, £4.99
17: 2 in 1 Sports Centre, Amazon, £39.99

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My Routine with a 9 month old during lockdown

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I thought I would share my new routine as a Mum during lockdown (If you have not been following my journey on here or Instagram then I became a Mum to Winston in August 2019) and some insight into the Aptamil Follow On Milk with Pronutra™️-ADVANCE I have been using.

Before I became 'Mum' or 'Mummy' I really didn't have many decisions to make other than to choose what colour I should paint my nails this week (FYI it was usually a different shade of nude). I am nearly ten months into my motherhood journey and to say it’s been tough would be an understatement but it has already been an incredible journey. I am amazed by the female body and the power all parents have, it is the best thing I have ever done.

After having a baby, everything I am met with comes with a huge number of options and even more decisions. I am so glad for all the mum support networks out there, I have my NCT group and all the local online groups. Without them I am not sure how I would cope during these crazy and uncertain times.

I wanted to share my advice so hopefully if you have even just one of the many questions I had; maybe this post will help.

A typical day in the life of me right now is, (this is not exact but a rough guide):

6:30am: Winston wakes up in his cot. We then have some cartoons, usually Little Baby Bum on Netflix and quiet play in bed whilst we fully wake up. My husband is currently home so he gets to see Winston awake which is one of the positives of the current situation. I then change out of my pyjamas into leggings or day pyjamas.

7:30am / 8am: Winston will have a feed and usually stays in his PJ’s, ready for breakfast - currently we have a mix of apple pancakes, porridge or toast.

9am: Feed and nap time - I then tidy up from the morning. There is usually a bunch of toys and one or two nappies strewn about the place.

11am: Wake up and get changed, have a feed and get ready for our virtual sensory class. We used to do swimming (which we do in a paddling pool) and a messy play class which we can’t do.

11:30am: Virtual sensory class in the lounge - this week was Magic week. 

  

12:30pm: It is lunch time for Winston and I have my lovely husband home who does lunch time and makes something for me. 

Some favourites for the babe are: puff pastry pinwheels, spaghetti bolognese and kiwi. He will also have water or Aptamil Follow On Milk with Pronutra™ - ADVANCE from a beaker. Lunch currently consists of purees and some strips of fruit and veg but that is for another post.

1:30pm: gets a top up of milk, Aptamil Follow On Milk with Pronutra™  ADVANCE   for nap time - currently persevering with getting him asleep in his cot for this nap.

2:15pm: Play time, or we will pop out for a walk. Key toys currently are a wooden spoon and metal pan to hit it on, bubble machine and Thomas the Tank Engine book.

3:30 / 4:00: Breastmilk time

5pm: Feed Winston dinner, again with water or Aptamil Follow On Milk with Pronutra™ - ADVANCE from a beaker.

6pm Bath time (every other day)

6.15pm: Get Winston dressed for bed usually in a short sleeve baby grow and a sleep-suit and a sleeping bag, currently 1 tog.

6.30: Book and FINAL feed time!

6:45-7pm Bed time along with his favourite rhyme 'Hush little baby'.

And that my Mummy friends is my typical day at the moment! I am sure you are interested to hear more about how I do my feeds. I am currently combination feeding and above is just a rough guide. I feed Winston on demand but I think its typically every three hours for a core feed.

The follow on milk I decided to use when Winston turned 6 months was Aptamil Follow On Milk with Pronutra™ - ADVANCE. To be honest, no other brand crossed my mind. Most of my NCT class use Aptamil Follow On Milk and I have always heard it being recommended even before I got pregnant. All my decisions have been on recommendations and when I am stuck, the Mum community is my key resource.

The brand behind Aptamil Follow On Milk with Pronutra™ - ADVANCE is known for their scientific research into breastmilk. They have around 500 scientists that continue researching into this area of nutrition, which resonates with the brand packaging and as a Marketer I feel safe in the knowledge that they are experts in their field and want to promote the science behind this. I think this is one of the many reasons why I trust the brand so much; 

Talking more about the fantastic 'mum community' and needing someone to go to for advice; Aptamil Follow On Milk have a 24/7 care line in the UK which, being honest, I never knew about until I recently spoke to the brand. This service is so fantastic during times like these where parents are more isolated and may not have access to their usual support network. You can get advice on anything from how to prepare a bottle, tips on feeding, to just having a chat because Mum life can be very overwhelming at the best of times!

Sometimes, I just want to have a quick chat with someone who is knowledgeable on topics such as 'is Winston feeding enough?', advice when starting solids, his weight - and the list goes on and on so knowing about this resource is such a valuable tool.

Aptamil Follow On Milk with Pronutra™ - ADVANCE Stage 2 is for babies over six months the formula contains:

• Vitamins A, C & D - Vitamin D supports the normal function of the immune system

• Iron which supports normal cognitive development

• Omega-3 LCPs (DHA) to support normal visual development (benefit obtained from a daily intake of 100mg DHA).

• A blend of Galacto- and Fructo-oligosaccharides.

One thing which I have found to be important after Winston turned six months was making sure he was getting enough Iron in his diet. His and all other babies iron stores from being a newborn are depleted at six months so it’s important he is getting iron from his meals and with Aptamil Follow On Milk with Pronutra™ - ADVANCE having that included was just a bonus.

At 6 months I introduced Winston to the 360 beaker which he uses to drink water or Aptamil Follow on Milk with his food. Preparation is so easy! Follow the back of the packaging if you are in any doubt but you can also find some tips here.

1. Watch out for hot spots, avoid using a microwave to heat

2. Do not add extra scoops or anything else to the feed

3. Discard unfinished feed straight away but always within 2 hours

4. Never leave your baby alone during feeding. 

Aptamil Follow on Milk with Pronutra™ADVANCE is available in powder format (800g pack) or the ready-to drink bottles (4 x 200ml & in 1 litre), which are easy to pop in your handbag. It also now comes in brand new Ready to Mix Sachets so you do not need to count out the scoops of powder making it easy when your away from home. 

Like my friends recommended to me, I will confidently recommended Aptamil Follow On Milk to all my mummy friends out there.

Disclaimer from Aptamil Follow On Milk: Important Notice: Breastfeeding

is best for babies. Follow On Milk should only be used as part of a mixed

diet and not as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. Use on the advice of your healthcare professional.

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How to re-energise your skin routine this Spring

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Spring has officially sprung and although we may all be in isolation we can start to appreciate the little things in life like working from home with the sun on your face or sitting in the garden you have not really used till now. 

Something I know I take for granted is my skin. On somedays the skincare routine I take can only last a few minutes but recently I have revamped my routine for Spring with a little help from Jurlique. The effects have worked wonders providing suppler & softer hydration, reducing my wrinkles (especially the new ones from motherhood) and generally making my skin look refreshed for the new season.

Winter can play havoc with your skin with the cold weather sapping the moisture up like a sponge. So I have been using Jurlique's new Nutri-Define Supreme Range which consists of six new products, all of which can be used morning and evening for the main aim of reducing the dreaded sign of ageing and generally restoring the beauty back into my skin.

First things first; the packaging ticks the insta worthy box, just check out the photos, they will look beautiful in any bathroom and secondly another big check is the collection uses all natural ingredients. 

This anti-aging range can combat your skin problems for Spring ready skin.

 The six key botanical extracts used in the range, utilise those from Jurlique's signature blend - Rose, Calendula, Marshmallow and lavender  which are filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammation properties that penetrate below the skin surface.

In addition are the two super ingredients that help rejuvenate the skin, plump it up and hydrate: 

• Spilanthes Extract: scientifically proven to improve skin's collagen production.
• Horseradish Extract: helps firm skin to smooth the appearance of deep lines.

NEW Delivery system:

• Biosome6: Jurlique's breakthrough liposome delivery system which features in the six new products delivers powerful actives into your skin by stabilising the six botanical plant extracts. It also targets the damaged skin to keep skin hydrated. 

So what is the Nutri-Define Spring Skincare ritual? 

Turn back time

Nutri-Define Supreme Cleansing Foam - start and end the day with removing any left over makeup, impurities and pollution off your skin. You just add water to a small amount to create a luxurious foam cleanser with polishing Jojoba beads which gently exfoliate and remove dead skin to rewind your skin back to it's original beauty by smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This leaves you will with a luminous complexion and your only on the first step.

Conditioning is not just for your hair

Nutri-Define Supreme Conditioning Lotion - This is a new one for me, I have not used a conditioning lotion before but it is a game changer. You are hit with another blast of immediate hydration after you apply the lightweight lotion.

The conditioning lotion works hard to replenish the natural lipid barrier and moisturises ensuring your skin is smooth and radiant adding to your already luminous skin.

Luminous complexion

Nutri-Define Supreme Rejuvenating Serum - A serum has been in my beauty regime since I turned 20, I see it as a key requirement for my skin and the Jurlique Nutri-Define Supreme Rejuvenating Serum is a winner. It glides on with silky smooth texture, targeting those pesky wrinkles, firming and restoring your complexion. Your skin will feel instantly hydrated and smoother.

REHYDRATE

Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream - rehydrate your skin with this rich cream which will help restore your skin back to ultimate glory sorting out any dry skin issues whilst targeting anti-ageing to leave skin soft and supple.

Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Light Cream - A bit lighter than the Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream, this lightweight replenishing moisturiser will still hit a powerful punch of intense hydration as its easily absorbed to smooth your skin for a final boost of radiance.

A touch of luxury

Nutri-Define Supreme Eye Contour Balm - after you have used your favourite serum or moisturiser this rich eye balm firms, revitalise and brightens. It has an applicator for the full luxe experience so you can easily smooth around the eye contour area. 

With the earlier starts to the day this rich cream with illuminate under your eye so you will not only look refreshed but visibly younger with the botanicals firming your delicate skin to reduce the appearance of lines.

I hope this helps in re-energising your skin routine this Spring.

Prices for the range start from £32 and they are available here. I also have a discount code for 20% off if you spend £50 just use: T2G20.

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Review: My New Fridge Freezer - a new baby essential

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So this isn’t my birth story but this is how my birth story starts with the delivery of my new fridge freezer....

First of all we decided a new fridge freezer was an essential with a baby on the way, everyone kept talking about batch cooking and freezing meals and although I loved my old fridge freezer, but the freezer compartment could only really fit some ice cubes and mars ice creams (pregnancy craving right there).

On the day of delivery (Monday 29 July) the delivery men arrived and I realised I hadn’t cleaned the floor where the old fridge was, after I bent down that was the moment my waters broke. I had been told it was not like the films but my god YES it was, I ran upstairs trying to stop the flow (FYI it doesn’t stop until you give birth also a normal pad doesn’t cut it)

Anyway back to the fridge; for my return from hospital my parents had fully stocked both the fridge and the freezer full of yummy goodies and our new cold water compartment - a very important part of the new fridge freezer and for a new mama, if you're breastfeeding you will drink gallons a day.

Make and model: Hotpoint Class 7 Total NoFrost fridge freezer (H7T 911A KS H AQUA)

Cost: Available from retailers for around £569.99

Why you would want to buy:

• Cold water dispenser - a life changer as who has time to try to get ice out of a tray to cool a drink?!
• No hassle with defrosting your fridge with NoFrost technology - I have had this 7 months now and not a single bit of ice anywhere. With my last fridge/freezer, I couldn't really open the freezer due to ice.
• Fresh fruit and veg really does last for longer - I have never been one to waste food, I think I can safely say that sometimes fruit and veg lasts at least one week longer if not more than my last fridge with the food preservation technology.
• Multiple compartments - The fridge freezer features a Fresh Zone+ compartment which is humidity controlled and makes storing fresh fruit and vegetables a breeze. There is also Fresh Zone 0ºC compartment that maintains a temperature of around 0°C, which is perfect for storing delicate food items such as fresh meats and fish.
• No funky smells - the ‘Active Oxygen’ technology keeps my fridge smelling fresh and eliminates strong odours, which is important for my cheese loving household.
• Energy efficient: The fridge freezer has an ‘A+’ energy rating to keep your utility bills low on the fridge freezer front.
• Size - it’s taller than both Adam and I with storage capabilities of 360 litres and has adjustable shelves to create more space for bigger items as you buy them. 
• Design - I went for the black colour as I wanted a modern touch to our kitchen and I love it! 

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