Tuesday 27 May 2014

#mummyessentialproject // Week 5

Welcome,

This is Week 5 - Electrical (Bottles, Sterilisers, Monitors etc)

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It would be great if you can add the above picture into your blogpost so other readers can see where all the info about it :)

We are now into week 5 and soon coming to an end and I would just like to thank everyone who is taking part so far, I am really enjoying the posts and it will be great to see more, remember you can join in at any point so if you haven't already then please do now if you want too :) whether you are pregnant and preparing your stuff or a mother who has been through it all share your wisdom!

I haven't been putting my essentials on here as I have been participating from my own personal blog which will be linked below!





Looking forward to your posts as per usual, this link up is open until Midnight next Monday just in time for week 6 for Teething to start :) For more info on each week please click here.

See you next week lovelies :)

Best Wishes,

Mummy Bloggers Team

Saturday 24 May 2014

Guest Post // To Ground Or Not?!

Welcome,

At the minute we are having a pretty tough time with Ellie, she is 9yo and well as my mum would say to me (when i was a teen bear in mind!!) her ''attitude stinks''.

So this week that was it I, had enough and I grounded her, something I promised my teenage self I would never do!

BUT


She has been pushing her luck (and my buttons) for over a week...she knows what she is doing...she knows right from wrong...she also knows that what ever I say I wont follow through, but guess what? This time she pushed it to far...this time she WAS grounded!!

I wont go into the details (it would take to long!!) but it basically started because I said she couldn't take her phone to my Nans (she stays every Thursday).

The grounding came after days of hearing, sorry being screamed at 'dont even love me' and 'just say no because I don't love her' and her ridiculous screaming and tantrums like a 2yo at being asked to do the smallest thing...like erm changing her underwear...brushing her hair...bringing her washing down! Tidying her room! Emptying her lunch-box! All small chores, nothing to taxing, for an independent 9 year old to do.

I know some of you will be saying 'shes just a kid', 'all kids do it'...but every day? screaming and kicking off? Standing on the stairs whilst I'm in a different room shouting 'dont kill me, don't hit me'...I remember my sister (now 22...yes, YOU Roxy (if your reading this!!!) shouting all this rubbish at my Mum, I remember laughing thinking it was quite funny! But when its happening to you, in this day, when Social Services can turn up at your door for anything? It scares the shit out of me! The things she will do to get a reaction, to get me to give her some attention!

So anyway she got her reaction, her phone (she has had a mobile-phone for around 6mth to keep in touch with her Dad and his side of her family, and also for us to keep in touch with her when she goes away to visit them), her tablet was taken away as was her TV AND CD player...Harsh? Well I didn't stop there, she was also NOT allowed to go to Brownies or any of her after school clubs...and our new found 'Date Night' was cancelled (Something I was GUTTED about, I was looking forward to a girly evening having some tea just the 2 of us!)

Her behaviour didn't improve the next day and I kicked myself...now she has nothing to lose why should she behave? What did I now have to say behave or......I may have, ahem, peaked to soon!

I had to think quick, but I couldn't think, I was too upset and I did something I shouldn't have done I sat and I cried...in fact I bawled, I know I shouldn't have let her see that she had ''won'' but that was it I was done...I cried and I told her to go to her room and she huffed and ran upstairs...Jenson (3) came for a squeezey hug and wiped my tears away, Ellie stayed up in her room for an hour or so before coming down and apologising, saying sorry off her own back! Since then she has behaved and now, as I write this, the day of un-grounding has come round, she has had everything back and the slate wiped clean. Her behaviour has been alot better, I know its only a few evenings of good behaviour but I think it has worked.

What do you do to punish your older children? A few pointers would be great!!

Today's Guest Post was written by Becky from 3 Princesses and 1 Dude, a great post (I dread the day I have to ground my C) - visit her blog here, Twitter here and BlogLovin here. If you would like to write a post for us, please contact via twitter or email thank you :)

Tuesday 20 May 2014

#mummyessentialproject // week 4

Welcome,

This is Week 4 - Baby Comfort (Buggies, Highchairs etc)

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It would be great if you can add the above picture into your blogpost so other readers can see where all the info about it :)

We are now onto Week 4 and I would just like to thank everyone who is taking part so far, I am really enjoying the posts and it will be great to see more, remember you can join in at any point so if you haven't already then please do now if you want too :) whether you are pregnant and preparing your stuff or a mother who has been through it all share your wisdom!

I haven't been putting my essentials on here as I have been participating from my own personal blog which will be linked below!





Looking forward to your posts as per usual, this link up is open until Midnight next Monday just in time for week 5 to start :) For more info on each week please click here.

See you next week lovelies :)

Best Wishes,

Mummy Bloggers Team

Sunday 18 May 2014

Guest Post // To Find Out Baby Sex Or Not?!

Welcome,

To find out, or not to find out? That is the question.

Here at Lamb & Bear, we have two different stories to tell, both exciting and both equally as special. Enjoy.

Vicky's story


We were very much ‘on the fence’ with finding out.
I remember walking around Next at 18 weeks pregnant, thinking how much easier it would be to find out the sex of the baby. I’m a natural organiser, so it would have made perfect sense to find out.
Even on the drive to our 20 week scan, we were still unsure. So we came up with a little plan...
Armed with a piece of plain paper and an envelope, we asked the ultrasound technician to write down the sex of the baby and seal it away.
We left our 20 week scan with our fuzzy ultrasound photo, and our white envelope. I was absolutely buzzing.
My theory was, if we really wanted to find out, then we would look. The 20 week scan is only half way, so if we decided further down the line to find out then we could.
But, you know what? We never got the urge to look, not one bit. I loved not knowing. As my bump grew, all I cared about was my little baby growing inside me. I didn’t need to know whether they were a boy or a girl. That would be my surprise at the end.
I had a 3 day labour. It was pretty tiring, but that unknown made me work that little bit harder.
There aren’t many happy surprises left in life, but this was one. That moment when Matt told me through teary eyes that we had a little girl, will be the best moment of my life. It still brings a lump to my throat.
Then you have the magical moments of telling all your family and friends. Yep, bring on more lumpy throats.
I wouldn’t swap any of these moments for the world.

Alex's story


Anyone who knows me, knows I'm pretty impatient. In fact very impatient. So no surprise when I found out the sex of our baby at the 20 week scan. Deep down, I knew I was having a boy, call it mother's intuition, but I was so sure.
As much as I wanted to know, I would only find out if Joe was sure too. I strongly believe it should be the decision of both parents. As much as one wants to know, if the other doesn't they should respect that. Luckily for me Joe couldn't wait to find out!
Holding hands and walking in silence, we were both as nervous as each other. This was it. The moment had finally arrived, was beansprout pink or blue? Days had been spent disagreeing over names, struggling to find ones we liked, at least now we could eliminate 50% of them!
While we were waiting for the scan, Joe turned to me asked what I thought we were having. After a minute of mumbling 'I want a boy, but it could be a girl, blah, blah', I plucked up the courage to say 'boy'. (I hate being wrong, so really didn't make a final decision). He turned to me and said 'so do I'. We smiled at each other. I don't know why, but it's like we already knew.
Well, we were right! On that tiny screen was our beautiful baby boy. Our little blue beansprout.
A lot of people said to me 'don't you want a surprise?' I always replied with 'it's a surprise either way'. Whether you find out at the scan or wait until the baby is born, it's a surprise, just as special, and just as emotional.
So if you are undecided about finding out the sex, why not try Vicky's idea and seal it in an envelope? Or if, you really want to know then go for it! Knowing the sex of my baby allowed me to bond with the little boy growing in my belly. (And also meant daddy had to redecorate the spare room to be more suited for a boy! Pale pink just wasn't acceptable for my little blue beansprout). But not finding out, meant Vicky and Matt had an amazing surprise at the end, making those 9 months worth the wait.
Oh, and did I mention, I told Vicky she was having a girl all along?! I love being right ;)

Today's Guest Post was written by Vicky & Alex from Lamb & Bear, what a great post to see the difference - visit their blog here, Twitter here and BlogLovin here. If you would like to write a post for us, please contact via twitter or email thank you :)

Tuesday 13 May 2014

#mummyessentialproject // Week 3

Welcome,

This is Week 3 - Lotions & Potions (Bath, Bum Rash, Oil etc)

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Thank you to those who did join in last week, everyone had such great posts :) For those who didn't join in, it's not too late - start with this one. We are now onto week 3 with Lotions & Potions - when your posts are up and running, don't forget to come back here and link up below!

For those wondering I haven't done my own essentials post on here as I am participating from my personal blog which will be in the link up below :)





Really looking forward to your posts, if you still want to join in go ahead please - this link up is open until Midnight next Monday just in time for week 4 to start :) For more info on each week please click here.

Also it would be really great if in your post you can say where you have linked up too or with the #mummyessentialproject badge up above please :)

Best Wishes,

Mummy Bloggers Team

Thursday 8 May 2014

Guest Post // Miscarriage

Welcome,

Harriet, mama to two wonderful little boys Reuben and Tobias, is the blogger behind tobyandroo.com, a blog aimed at parents who want to know about all of the most innovative and stylish products on the market, along with parenting topics, recipes, crafting ideas and everything in between! 



Here is Harriet's take on Miscarriage - a heartbreaking time for those who experience.

I keep forgetting.

I see a bunk bed and I think, ooh I must really sit down and decide what we are doing with the boys and sleeping arrangements before the baby comes.

I keep forgetting.

Stretching tops out to see if they will grow with me, if they will suit me later on, when I am the size of a small whale.

I keep forgetting.

So does everyone else you know. Time moves life on, friends ask when I'm coming back to work, other parents ask about parties for the boys, even my own husband asks me if I can just chill out, stop snapping and being so grumpy. He's tired too you know?!

I'm not moving with time though. I keep forgetting.

It's amazing how much you can plan in a matter of a few weeks, what you can dream for and what hopes you can put on this fragile existence. I spent hours silently wondering if this baby would be blonde like Toby or dark like Roo. Would he/she finally get my eyes o would I be destined to listen to 'oh my gosh, look at Daddy's perfect eyes, he look so like you Adam' again. No hair or hair? How would it affect Toby - middle child is always left out, they say, so we need to make sure that never happens. So many questions and no answers. There won't be any answers.

The trust is, I'm a less tolerant mother, a snappier wife and an ignorant daughter at the moment. I hide in the bath so I can cry, alone, because I feel alone and sad - everyone else is moving on. I dream that my boys are disappearing or hurt. I had a complete breakdown a few nights ago because I thought Roo was playing in his room while I took Toby out of the bath and he had disappeared off downstairs. I don't know what I thought had happened, but a panic settled over me and I couldn't find my baby boy. Silly things really.

I'm so angry with my husband for moving on and leaving me behind. I keep hearing (and saying) at least the boys are here, they bring such comfort. Do they? Sometimes. Other times I just can't understand why they are being so naughty - they had better grow out of that before the baby gets here. How will I cope with temper tantrums and a new baby?

I keep forgetting.

Today's Guest Post was written by Harriet, what a heartfelt and true honest post - you can view her blog here, Twitter here and BlogLovin here. If you would like to write a post for us, please contact via twitter or email thank you :)

Tuesday 6 May 2014

#mummyessentialproject // Week 2

Welcome,

This is Week 2 - Clothing (Baby Suits, Outfits, Bibs etc)

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Thank you to those who did join in last week, everyone had such great posts :) For those who didn't join in, it's not too late - start with this one. Week 2 is now upon us with Clothing, so once you've got your posts done come back here to link up :) I will be sharing every post that joins in on Twitter throughout the week too!

For those wondering I haven't done my own essentials post on here as I am participating from my personal blog which will be in the link up below :)





Really looking forward to your posts, if you still want to join in go ahead please - this link up is open until Midnight next Monday just in time for week 3 to start :) For more info on each week please click here.

Also it would be really great if in your post you can say where you have linked up too or with the #mummyessentialproject badge up above please :)

Best Wishes,

Mummy Bloggers Team

Thursday 1 May 2014

Guest Post // Public Transport Courtesy

Welcome,

Public Transport - Does Common Courtesy Still Exist?

I recently spent a weekend in London supporting my husband who ran the London Marathon, immediately followed by 4 days in Paris for our last trip away before Baby C arrives. Quite an exciting few days really! My husband did really well in the marathon and we wearily but happily made our way around Paris and saw many of the spectacular sites on offer whilst sampling some delicious French food.

The point of this post, though, is to reflect upon what those six days in two major European cities - with all their hustle and bustle - were like for a six-month pregnant woman relying on public transport and tired feet to get around.


When we booked to go to Paris, a good few people recalled stories from their own trips there about the rudeness of the Parisians and how arrogant they generally were. I've come across far too many rude and arrogant English people in my time, so I do have a habit of being more than a little sarcastic if, say, I hold a door open for someone who then neglects to thank me or a shop assistant is too busy gossiping with his or her colleague at the tills to interact with me as the customer. I'm a red-head, what can I say?! With this in mind, I wasn't particularly fussed about experiencing rude French people and went with neutral expectations. To be honest, the same can be said for London really, given that only 6 months ago my cousin was complaining that, at 8 months pregnant, she was rarely offered a seat on the bus in London.

So what were my experiences? I'll start with London. Our capital city is a vast, sprawling mixture of architecture, culture, history, tourism, business and pretty much anything else that could be thrown into the melting pot. People walk, run, cycle, taxi, drive, bus and train to their own personal, hectic schedule and this can often give out an aura of selfishness as busy people put their heads down and move on with their busy lives.

Maybe the difference was marathon day, maybe it was my rather large 28 week bump, maybe it was a bit of both, but as I travelled around on what must be one of London's busiest weekends of the year I experienced what can only be described as common courtesy. People chatted to me about bump, smiled as they walked by and offered me their seats on the crowded underground as I made my way around the city to cheer my darling husband through his 26 mile journey. One girl, who looked on the surface to be quite young, arrogant and drunk, transpired to be friendly, observant and lovely to chat to - Appearances can be very, very deceiving!

What about those rude Parisians though? Surely they're live up to their English-hating stereotype and choose to throw me off of the metro ahead of offer me a seat? Actually, no! Phil and I took at least 4 or 5 metro trips per day, plus the odd train and bus ride. On every journey I was offered a seat if one wasn't immediately available. With a grateful "Merci" (Because by then I was ready to sleep for a month!) politeness and respect managed to overcome any language barriers and give my tired, achy feet and hips a well-needed rest between the walking.

There was one metro ride in Paris, on a very busy carriage, where Phil and I only just managed to jump(!) on board before the doors closed. In the rush, nobody could possibly have been expected to notice bump and I was happy to squeeze into a safe corner on the opposite side from the doors. As the train emptied slightly, one lady who was standing noticed me also standing and when a seat became available, she guarded it with her life and called me over. She did then proceed to tell all the other passengers off for not giving up their seats for me; This caused me great embarrassment because I was fully aware that few could have seen my pregnant state, but I thought again how lovely it was to experience the kindness of strangers.

I'm an independent person, always have been, but I am accepting that my mobility, energy and capacity for standing for long periods aren't what they used to be. If I was sat on a bus or train in my current bumpy state and saw someone in greater need, I would stand and offer them my seat in an instant. But recent experience has made me think that actually, I probably wouldn't need to because others who are more mobile and less tired than myself would probably offer too.

I know there are rude people out there, I've experienced them in many guises and situations, but as much as I often proclaim to dislike the general public (as a collective, you understand!), I must say that last week mellowed my attitude slightly. Maybe this isn't such a terribly inpolite world after all.

What do you think? Have you had particularly positive or negative experiences whilst pregnant or in need of assistance? Let me know your thoughts and thanks for reading.

Today's Guest Post was written by Hannah, what a fab post and great to see the comparison of two different major cities - you can view her blog here, Twitter here and BlogLovin here. If you would like to write a post for us, please contact via twitter or email thank you :)