10 Things I love about my 15 month old.

I haven't been doing regular Nye updates but I wanted to remember the silly everyday things that always make me smile.

1. You give 100 kisses a day and even more if you want something.
2. You throw yourself with wild abandon into any pile of soft looking objects.  
3. The way you gently feed the dog your food.
4. Your angry screwed up face and huffy strops - I always have to try to hold a straight face.
5. Your amazing tripod pen grip & the way you go off to find yourself a notebook and pen.
6. Your love of being outside and your ability to imitate me digging up the weeds.
7. The way you pick up shingle and put it in your watering can. 
8. You have the best dace moves, you bop the instant a catchy tune reaches your ears.
9. Your cheeky head tilt grin.
10. The way you point with both index fingers if you REALLY want something.

Beautiful Clothing from Zulily - Review

The increasingly mobile stages of toddlerhood have been taking their toll on Nye's wardrobe. I have noticed that he will be in need of some sturdy items that will outlast his constant moving around.  He scoots around and around and around and every day I become more and more bored of a little boys wardrobe full of blue stripy things!  I know that it is worth investing in clothing that lasts especially as Nye hates to be changed so anything he wears has to be durable for a full days wear.

With this in mind, last week Zulily got in touch to ask if I would be interested in doing a clothing review and this is what they sent me:

As soon as the items arrived I was so excited for Nye to try them on because I could feel from the material that they were much higher quality and design than most of the items available for baby's and toddlers. Each piece is made by a different brand and the designs are so interesting and fun.  I am slightly in love with jumper, it's perfectly warm for these cool spring days we're having.  When we took him out last week in his he had people pointing and smiling from across the street as it really is so striking but most importantly cute!  The trousers were also fantastic because they elasticated waste band means that he can easily go from walking to crawling without being uncomfortable.

Browsing the website I have found that the ranges on Zulily are all really unusual and unique and by having all the different designers together it means you can browse a variety of styles without moving from one website.  This means that instead of being a slave to one particular brand you can pick and choose from the best boutiques as well as bigger stores, all in one basket. And as anyone who has seen my other posts on shopping, I am obsessed with sales. Most importantly, the prices on Zulily are usually offering 30%-90% off usual retail prices.  You have to sign in to the website to see the stuff their offering, but this is a minor inconvenience for a well laid out and easy to navigate website.

Here's a few of my favourite picks on Zulily at the moment.

The buyer does have to beware on one thing though, the best offers don't stick around for long!  The stock is constantly changing and updating with branded events running on a daily basis.  It's well worth keeping an eye because I have spied that there will be some Melissa and Doug stuff appearing, my absolute favourite brand of quality Children's Wooden Toys.  I already can't wait to see what items they will have.  And I should probably mention that if someone you refer makes an order you receive £10 credit, an added bonus.

DISCLAIMER:

I received the clothing above for the purpose of reviewing Zulily.  All pictures and words are my own and 100% honest.

Baby and Child Bedding

Finding bedding for Nye that is cute but not sickly sweet or massively expensive is quite the challenge.  Nye moved from his cot to a cot bed some time ago when we saw one being given away nearby on freecycle.  We knew his cot wouldn't last forever and getting a bigger bed for free seemed prudent, especially as it came with the attachments to turn it into a toddler bed down the line.  However, I could not believe the cost of cot bed duvet covers when I came to find them.  I have spent months with just one Ikea duvet cover because I refused to commit to paying £25 for a second one.

A few weeks ago I finally took the plunge and won a gorgeous Vertbaudet second hand duvet cover and pillow case on Ebay for a few pounds.  This is highly unusual because even second hand covers seem to be going for £15 and above.  In addition to scowering Ebay I have also been browsing a massive variety of websites looking for good sales.  My top 5 places to shop for baby bedding are:

• H & M
• Vertbaudet
• Mamas & Papas
• Mothercare
• Ikea

And finally this week I couldn't resist buying this gorgeous grey star quilt.

h&m baby quilt £10

If you're on the lookout for lovely baby and child bedding I've put together a collection for you which includes cot, cot bed and single bedding and a range of price brackets.  Enjoy!

1st Birthday Gift Ideas

Last week Aneurin turned one and we were showered with lovely gifts from family and friends.  We also splurged on our little man and bought him lots of things we thought he would love.  I was rather bad at keeping things under wraps until his ACTUAL birthday because I am a bad at keeping secrets and surprises. And it seems rather odd to keep things from a baby who doesn't understand what a birthday is when he'd enjoy playing with them RIGHT NOW.

I did a bit of googling at the time to find ideas for first birthday gifts and didn't find much so if you are in the market for a first Birthday gift these were all well received by our little man.

By far his most played with presents have been his new trike and his latches board.  We got the Smart Trike for £32 from Amazon but it seems to have gone up in price now.  I did see this offer for a reclining Smart Trike on Playpennies though which I would have gone for.  The latches board I have been admiring for some time and although when it arrived it says 3+ Nye absolutley loves it. It's beautifully made and next I have been admiring all the cook wear from Melissa and Doug ready for next years celebrations.

So there's some ideas for you, if you click on the board above it will bring up a more detailed list of all the things included.

12 months in pictures

So, as I have wittered on about all this year, I have been taking a monthly picture of Aneurin in our washing basket, inspired from someone who had done this on Pinterest. I didn't start until the end of his first month and when I started I was doing weekly photos.  At around 6 months this was a little tiresome to say the least so I decided to make it once a month.  But looking at how many photos I have, I'm glad I did as many as I could.  And, I hope you like this as much as I do.

11 month update

The 11 month was a whirlwind that blew by from the 15th December until the 14th January.  It covered a crazy Christmas, Daddy home for the holidays and mummy running around like a mad woman.

Here are the major developments -

This month has been all go, and you have mainly improved on the things you have already learnt.  We thought you were fast before, now you are supper fast and can even climb the full set of stairs.  I quite enjoy this as it is tiring for you and anything that wears you out is a good thing in my book.  

You're favourite game is to constantly take everything out of where it is. You're particular favourite thing to do is to try and empty your laundry basket or just get out anything I have put away.  You have started to try and put things back if we show you, but this takes a bit too much precision for you at the moment.  For some reason you have also started throwing things over your shoulder to get them out of the way.

You continue to play the clown, you've now learnt how to make funny noises like a red indian.  You make yourself laugh, you think you are so funny.  You can also now shake your head but you don't seem to know what it means.

Food is still going well, and you now have 6 big nashers to help you bite and tear you dinner.  However, you have got a little more fussy which does not impress mummy.  Anything green and leafy gets automatically thrown off the table.  But you pleased mummy greatly by sitting at the table at the children center and eating your sandwiches like a good boy whilst all the parents and workers coo'd over you being such a clever boy And you're not even 1 year old yet,  Mummy <3 baby led weaning.

During out break to Center Parcs we left you in the capable care of the Time Out Club which was the first time we have ever left you with anyone but me, daddy or nanny.  You were a star, and didn't even notice me leaving, as you were too busy stealing a car off the other girl there and shaking some jingle bells.  I was so pleased to see you when we returned but also felt kind of chuffed that you are such a super fun baby to hang out with.  I am the crazy mother who thinks whoever gets to look after my son should think themselves lucky. 

Your sleeping is consistent in that you still haven't gone back to sleeping through and wake up once a night for a feed and then settle straight back to sleep.  The extra feed has meant that you don't wake up quite so early so there is that to be thankful for.  In fact, I think we are actually used to your once a night waking and in the grand scheme of things it works for us.

And here ends the 11th month of developments and I've probably forgotten a few things. Please forgive me, we love you mega.

Monthly Updates

So here I am back preparing for the 11 month update.  This next one will be rather brief as I have been so busy preparing for the big 1st Birthday.  I've made a habit of waiting until the end of the month to write the updates so they are a true reflection of all the accomplishments of the month.  So as I write this Nye has actually celebrated his 1st Birthday. (OMG where did the time go!?)

As part of my New year plans I've also been trying to update my general blogger skills.  So I present you with the product of this evenings Photoshop lessons.  I bought the Pugly Pixel Blog Bling Kit as a little treat to myself this month and to help me make this here blog a pretty place to be.

These are just a few of the monthly basket photos (1,2 &3) I have been taking of Nye.  And, once I work out how to put them all together and decide how to display them I'll be posting a full years worth of images.  I'm sure no one else is as excited as I am, but I just can't wait to see them all together.

Right, I better head off and finish up these tutorials and get on with the next update.  Thanks as always for dropping by!  Nye has not enjoyed being stuck in a washing basket for the last few months so I need to come up with a different way of documenting his changes over time for his second year. Any body got any good ideas?  I was debating taking part in the 52 weeks project.  Perhaps I am a little too late to jump on that bandwagon but already some of the images are just gorgeous.

2012 in review

I'd like to set my self loads of goals for 2013 but I need to be realistic (0 achieved...)  So, my main aspiration  this year is to learn to be a better designer and photographer by reading, watching and practicing.  I've also recently read through these, 10 blogging resolutions for 2013 which are a great source of inspiration.  Some other links I've been loving are below.

• Blogging for Newbies
• Blog Promotion Checklist
• Blog Photo Layout Guide
• Brand Audit

So in light of this I made the basic inforgraphic above which meant that I had to learn to use some new tools in Adobe Illustrator.  So that's my stage 1 of learning to use these things properly.  If you're interested, I learnt to do the above using a fantastic Youtube Tutorial, I can certainly recommend it.

Picking holly for the Christmas Table

2012 revolved around one amazing thing, the birth of our wonderful son Aneurin.  We are nearing his 1st birthday and it serves as a double reminder that the new year is with us and we need to get with it.    Most of December went by in a bit of a blur, what with the filming of Super Scrimpers and making stock for the Pop Up Shop. I'm hoping these two things will lead on to a exciting 2013 full of new opportunities and surprises.  See you there!

10 Month Update

We have completed 10 whole months (plus a few weeks but shhh don't tell anyone).

This month has been full of so many new developments, and lots funny quirky little things.  I am so proud of my son every day.  When we go out and he is so good, so happy and makes everybody smile.  If only I have a £1 for every time someone tells me what a happy smiley baby he is with only the occasional off day. Oh how I hope it never changes.  Although I have had to come to terns with the fact that he is no longer my little baby and is more like a proper toddler with each passing day.  What with all the walking, crawling, chatting, goofy moves and laughter.  In the 10th Month we discovered the sensory room and have had many lovely afternoons there, I've posted a quick video of his first trip above.

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So here we have Nye's 10 month achievements:

Socialisation

I think you'll find that's mine...

• The start of the inner comic is showing, blowing raspberry's, clapping and being a clown just for laughs.
• Copying adult behaviour, when given glasses putting them on your face and learning to open doors and flaps when shown.
• Remembering sounds, hearing the sound of the dog and looking for her
• Standing unaided for a few minutes (until you realise you are and get worried)
• Finding unexpected things funny, a paper cup that isn't even that doesn't roll straight makes you laugh.

Physical Development

I will get my dog through this tiny hole, just you watch.

• You mastered full blown speedy crawling (but you still much prefer your feet).
• Learning that if you can't cruise somewhere you can drop to the floor and crawl over instead
• 3 more teeth, right at the top which all came through, very slowly 1 day after the other.
• Holding out hands for required assistance.
• Waving when waved at to say hello/goodbye.
• Knowing when you need the toilet and squatting to do so.
  

Language Development

Look at me!

• Learning tones of voice, and trying to stop yourself from doing something naughty.
• The start of language use, dada for daddy and tah for tea.
• Understanding what basic commands mean, come here and do you want milk?
  

Play

I'm just sorting the cotton balls, they taste great.

• Learning and loving to play chase with Daddy
• Learning to throw things, intentionally drop things and either chase after them yourself or send us to do it for you.

Sleep

I live fast and nap hard

• The new strength that you have discovered means that just seeing the rails of your cot means that you are drawn to get yourself on your feet and not lying down even when you are exhausted.  I have had to develop a new duvet wrapping method where i wedge you in so you drop off immediately without struggle.

Your 9 month waking every few hours has been replaced with a new routine which involves you waking up at 2.30am for a feed then going back to sleep until 6.30am.  I am hoping to crack this one when I get a chance to as it's not ideal.

Feeding

I'm excellent at gingerbread quality control.

• Starting to learn when you are full, by pushing your plate off table
• Weaning has ended, or ended some time ago, he eats like a trooper, cold or hot, lumpy, chunky or smooth.  I'm yet to find anything he doesn't like, unless things frustrate him, he will gobble them up.
  

Bits and Bobs

• The first signs of separation anxiety, sometimes you will not let go of me and you almost always scream when I go.
• Your first day without me or daddy, when Nicola looked after you while I filmed Super Scrimpers.
• You've learnt not to bite me, but you seem to have learnt to pinch us instead.
• The jealousy when I hold other babies still remains and gets ever stronger, as does your belief that everything in the world belongs to you.

I'm still a Mummys boy

Nye's First Christmas

What a wonderfully special day we had today.  It was so overwhelming Nye went to sleep at 4.30 and has been in bed since then.  I think he's perhaps recovering from him mammoth feast of roast turkey with all the trimmings. And now, it is time for bed, an early night as far as it goes, and for once no kitchen building!

Thanks to everyone for dropping by the blog throughout the last year, I hope you've all had a fab day.

9 Month Update

Here we are again with another monthly update, we're actually nearing the end of the 9th month just now.

Where do I start with this month?  It has been truly wonderful with so many developments.  Sometimes I forget that before I know it he will be a walking talking child and then he does something that makes me realise those times will be with us before we know it.  For example, on Thursday 8th November he learnt to wave!

Nye is still loving his food.  He does sometimes decide that at this particular moment he isn't a fan of certain things but always eats at least 90% of what he is offered.  Back in the early days he would be fine if he missed a meal, (if I gave him an extra milk feed.)  Now he does seem to really need the extra nourishment and gets very grouchy if he is without his beloved food.  He currently has breakfast at around 8am, Lunch at 1.30 and Dinner at 5.30.  He has a varied diet, but it is easy to get stuck in a rut with certain things and that bores me to death and takes the fun out of it.  So I do try my best to create new things for him to try, this month he has had brussel sprouts for the first time which he loved and I made some sweet potato falafel which I posted the recipe for on here.

Breakfast - Porridge fingers with raspberry's and strawberry's.

Lunch - Cod with fresh tomato, cucumber, onion and peas.

Dinner - Egg parcel made with spinach, pepper and mushroom with chicken strips and orange loaf cake for desert.

 Nye's sleep has been pretty consistent this last month, apart from this evening (obviously!) when he woke up about an hour after we put him down.  (I gave him another feed and laid him down to sleep which worked a treat.)  He has slept from 7am-7pm without a sound pretty much every night.  Some nights he has actually slept longer as he has recently been a little unwell and had some tiring days.  I know his sleep has definitely improved as he even slept perfectly when we went to visit my parents over half term.  He also now greets us in the morning standing up against the bars in the cot as if he is a prisoner waiting to be set free.  I absolutley love that first moment of eye contact in the morning when I go to pick him up and he does a little excited squeal, massive grin and bounces up and down ready for me to pick him up

Nye just loves people, he enjoys making everybody smile and enjoys listening to conversations.  He has started getting annoyed if I come in to rooms and don't say hello to him but so far he hasn't had any stranger anxiety.  This month his speech has come on quite dramatically.  He now babbles constantly, and is clearly trying to communicate with us. The sounds are now less repetitive and much more varied.  When I have some food I am feeding him and he wan'ts more he consistently says 'ah bababa'.  So, even if not speaking actual words, he does at least have his own language.  The variation in sounds has increased. From Ba and Da to Ma, Di, Bo, Aa.  However, unfortunately he has also perfected a high pitch scream which he now does to get attention if he is bored.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, this week Nye learnt to wave!  He absolutely loves being waved at and waving back and it fills me with joy and amazement.  He now waves at the dog and inanimate objects (perhaps he's not quite got the hang of it just yet...) But oh is it gorgeously cute or what!

Nye can crawl but still hates being laid down on his front and because of his resistance he is not the quickest crawler on the block.  He is a little more tolerant now he has realised how to pull himself up off the floor so even if he's complaining to me he can pull himself onto his feet.  His dislike for being on his knees is balanced out by his love of walking.  He has been able to stand alone on his feet for months now but as every day goes by he gets speedier.  He loves to cruise around furniture and this month he has truly mastered crouching  and even ducking so he can get under the table.  If I leave him for a few minutes whilst I pop to the loo and I come back and he's the other side of the room and I can't help wonder how on earth he got there.  But, he always looks incredibly pleased with himself.

This month we bought Nye a really lovely play table which has two sides, one full of twirly, noisy gadgets and the other with a board for connecting blocks and storage underneath.  He absolutely loved playing with this when we bought it at my parents but since we have got home his favourite things to look for are the lid off my lip balm, pens and roller glue.  Even if you are certain there aren't any in his vicinity he will seek them out and find them while you are not looking.

Peekaboo is most certainly his favourite game, he loves looking for me when I hide behind things.  An instant hit that always makes him giggle the most amazing little laugh.  And I think it is safe to say that 'Wind the bobbin up' is his most favourite of all songs.  It can even make him hush when he gets out of the bath and has to be dressed (his least favourite of ALL activities).

He also loves books, he will listen to them for a few pages then he will take the book from you and amuse himself by turning the pages.  Nye has also been on his very first swing in the park whilst we met up with my old school friend Claire.  He has really started swinging his legs this month (especially when he sits in his high chair) so he loved doing this in the swing.

This Month Nye sprouted his very first teeth.  I remember the first one cut through on a Saturday, the day after I was complaining to a midwife that he still had none.  Then lo and behold a second cut through on the Sunday.  Since then they have been gradually pushing their way through and are now almost there.  With the sighting of the new teeth we went out and bought Nye his very first tooth brush which he loves to chew on.