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!

Imagine Children's Festival - Southbank Center

On Monday Nye and I went along to some events at the Imagine Children's Festival with Davina of The Making Home and some other lovely ladies.  The festival is being held at the Southbank Center so it's really easy to get to from South East London.  We walked over from Waterloo East so it's only a 20 minute trip on the train for us.

I've been crazy busy this week but I wanted to let you all know as the festival ends tomorrow (24th February) and it would be a great thing to do with children of all ages to wrap up a lovely half term holiday.

There are paid sessions going on every day which you can book up in advance but also lots of free things to do.  The ground floor was incredibly busy when we dropped by but there was peace to be found on the upper levels where there is space to relax and do some drawing.  My favourite activity was the free Ultra Violet Reef which held the attention of all the children.  And it  gave us some time to recover from the fact that none of the lifts were working on the day we went.  I also loved the stage that has been created out on the riverside terrace which is a fantastic space for imaginative play.  I'm hoping the lifts are fixed by now but would advise not taking a pushchair if you can help it.

Have a lovely weekend!

12 month update

Sorry we're late again with this.  This month I can at least blame BT who we had to call earlier in the week to sort out our wireless connection.

This month feels like so many months rolled in to one as it feels like every other day Neil and I have been saying to one another, did he just do ___!? Yep, he just did ___. How long has he been doing that? He literally just did it for the 1st time!

Nye just seems to pick things up like a sponge.  I can barely even get my head around all the things he can do.  Yesterday we went on a lovely woodland walk in Sutton (where I accidentally lost my phone) and he spent the entire trip pointing at all the dogs. It's quite astonishing to know that one day he does not know something and the next day he does and it's second nature to him.  Why and how he learnt to kiss I do not know but I adore it.  He doesn't always do it on demand but sometimes when he wants to he just gives kisses and it makes me feel all gooey inside.  That's one thing I know about his personality for sure, he knows his own mind and he does things because he wants to and not just because he has been told.  I like that he clearly has his own thoughts and knows that but I am WELL aware this is going to be a nightmare.  Today he was screaming on the train because I wouldn't give him the cup from my hot drink.  I eventually gave in, immediately he stopped crying and just sat nicely and held it whilst flirting with a lovely lady opposite.  I have quite the trouble maker on my hands.  But having said that he is just so happy and loves other people that I kind of don't mind.

The day he walked independently for the first time was one of those, did he really just do that moments.  His first steps were from his cot over to his Daddy's knee.  I was sitting there and watched him do it without realising and I just stared at him with my mouth gaping open.  Neil looked at me confused at my silence, then suddenly it occurred to him that he'd got there himself without holding on to anything.  Ever since that evening he has realised he can walk for himself and he has gone from walking just a few steps to being able to walk across an entire room.  He's understandably still a bit shaky but he is so proud of himself and gets so excited as he walks towards us.  The way he does it makes him look like he's walking across hot coals!

This month we are back on track with the sleeping.  This is something else that has me realising what a little boy he is as he sits and plays with his toys in his cot.  He chatters away to himself and makes himself laugh and it is hilarious to watch.  As before, he never falls asleep in my arms these days, i simply lay him down tuck him into his duvet and he lays down and shuts his eyes whilst snuggling into his beloved dog.  

Oh Aneurin how special you are, I am so lucky to have you and your gorgeous gorgeous smile.

Center Parcs Family Blogger 2012-13

After entering the Tots100 competition some weeks ago to win a chance to be a Center Parcs family blogger, I certainly did not expect to be one of the winners! But amazing as it is, I am, after I entered with my Dream Short Break board on Pinterest. 

Yesterday saw the chosen bloggers making our way to Sherwood Forest, to have just a taster of what we can expect when we visit with our families.  Originally the gathering was due to be at the Elveden site but due to logistics Sherwood seemed a better location for all of us.  I was, at first, a little disappointed as for me, Elveden feels closer to home.  But when I went to book the train tickets, it was only a just over 2 hour train trip from where we live in South East London to Newark North Gate which is the nearest station. So, it's nice to be proved wrong sometimes!

The whole trip was a little daunting as not only was it the first time I would take Nye on a long train journey, but I would also be doing so alone.  However, the idea of spending the day at Center Parcs was enough to convince me that it would be worth the trouble and I am so glad I went.

The itinerary of the day came through a few days before the event and it sounded like a fantastic opportunity to get to meet the other bloggers and learn more about what we would be doing over the coming year.  This was my first time ever meeting other bloggers and it was a little daunting, but everyone was really friendly.  Thankfully, having a baby that smiles at everyone is a great ice breaker!

On arrival at the station we were greeted by the lovely Lilly who escorted @MerrilyMe in a taxi to the venue.  The rest of the day ran just as smoothly and felt incredibly relaxed.  I really felt it came across how well organised every thing about the day had been, and I cannot fault how incredibly kind everyone was to me helping me juggle all my bits and pieces, keep track of what was going on and occupy Nye. Massive brownie points go to all the team for their amazing help, be it making Nye laugh hysterically with fluffy squirrels, carrying my bags or generally looking out for us.  All without ever having to ask.  I really did feel like an honored guest and that alone has left me feeling at ease but also refreshed.  There was a lot of talk yesterday about the brand image and what Center Parcs is all about and from what I saw and experienced everyone who works there seems to live and breath this.

As part of the day we got the chance to try our hand at some pottery painting.  We were able to choose from a massive range of things, ranging from the traditional mugs and plates to Christmas Decorations and Piggy Banks.  I wanted to do something for Nye's room and decided to go for a ceramic picture frame.  You'll have to keep hush about that as it is being sent to us next week (after being fired) and I want to keep it a surprise from my husband!  We were having far too much fun to be taking photos by this point so I shall have to upload a picture of the finished product when it arrives. (I hope it comes out as good as I remember it!)

So, basically we had a fantastic day in the woods, all topped off by running for the train home which the amazingly lovely station staff held up for us.  

All we have to do now is browse through the brochures, decide what we'd like to do, when and with whom .  Then, the next thing we know we shall be holed up all cosy in an amazing little log cabin in the woods.  Nye's first holiday no less.  What could be more idyllic?

- You can also read all about our day as Center Parcs family bloggers here, on Jo's blog - From the Kitchen Sink, Anne from Raisie Bay & on Here Come The Girls.