I SPY - floral skirts

Inspired by Isn't it lovely's post on Floral skirts I thought I'd have a hunt around to see whats available on this side of the pond.

Floral Skirts 2012 by jenni-clutten 


I think the oasis ones are my favorites, I may have to head in to town and track them down.

Oasis floral skirt
£47 - oasis-stores.com

Yumi high waisted skirt
£31 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Warehouse floral skirt
£23 - warehouse.co.uk

Lipsy printed skirt
£23 - lipsy.co.uk

River Island blue mini skirt
£47 - riverisland.com

Oasis floral skirt
£31 - oasis-stores.com

Floral print skirt
£33 - lavishalice.com

Oasis full skirt
£23 - oasis-stores.com

Oasis floral skirt
£23 - oasis-stores.com

H M wrap around skirt
£16 - hm.com

Baby Routine?

STAGE 1 - Getting to know you

When a friend asked me what kind of routine I planned to do once the baby arrived I said I'd play it by ear.  I didn't really read about parenting techniques, managed to steer clear of baby magazines, and focused on preparing my mind for labour rather than sleep routines.

I did however, try to heed the advice of a few mums, who said they found once the baby was born they didn't know what to do.  I therefore chose to prepare myself for what I considered the scariest moments of parenthood; how to clean a baby, change a nappy and read up on techniques for calming a crying baby.

Lots of people talk 'baby routines' and in particular, friends and strangers frequently ask about Nye's sleeping habits.  It appears to be the 'go to' baby topic of choice for anyone and everyone and we always say we have no complaints.  And for a baby, I've always felt Nye has been pretty good to us.  I figured that babies need feeding lots so I willingly waved goodbye to a good nights sleep and tried my best to accept the eventuality of broken nights.

Now we are at 5 months, Nye's sleep habits have probably changed more times than I have fingers and toes and I've tried to let him take the lead on telling us what he needs and providing it for him.  As time has gone on, I've become much better and second guessing him and preparing myself for what comes next.  

I did however find it difficult after the first month or so to understand how much a baby needs to sleep.  So I downloaded and read Gina Ford's Contended Baby Book.  I managed to follow it for a few days but quickly decided that routine wasn't for us, I wanted something more flexible and I felt Nye wasn't ready to have his feeds dictated to him.  But, I am so glad I did have a look because it helped me understand how much and when he was likely to go down for a nap and what sort of time he should sleep in the evening.  It all seems so obvious to me now, but at the time I was clueless.  

I have continued to demand feed, I've slowly learnt that the way I have chosen to parent would be described by others as attachment parenting.  I really fell into it, it's what feels like the most natural way to parent for us.  This is made much easier by breastfeeding which means I can feed him instantaneously.  It's an amazing tool to have, it provides nourishment, calms and soothes him when he is in pain, and helps him get to sleep.

STAGE 2 - Growing Together

Roll on a few months (4 to be precise) and we as a family have really found a routine that fits with us all, and in the the last week we have even had our first glimpses of a full nights sleep.  I am grateful but trying to remain level headed, it can be taken me at any moment.  That's Nye's prerogative!

So here we have our current routine, which does not run like clockwork but is relatively easy to predict.

6.20am : Neil leaves for work, Nye awake in cot sucking on thumb

6.30 - 7am : Pick Nye up, change, feed.

7 - 8.30am : Put Nye on play mat, make tea and toast eat whilst watching and chatting

8.30 - 9.00am : Nurse in arm chair until sleeping

9-9.30-10am : Transport Nye to cot, get washed and dressed.

10-12/30 : Play in nursery, go for walk, head out to do chores

12.30-1.00pm : Nurse to sleep

1-1.30pm : Transport to cot, sleep

1.30pm-2.45/3 : Play, do chores together

3-3.20pm : Nurse to sleep, nap in arms/ put down in cot.

3.20pm-4.30/5 : Play together

5-5.30pm : Neil home, go for family walk to park.

5.30-6pm : Hugs and tickles with Daddy

6-6.15pm : Run bath, naked play time on mat

6.15-6.30pm : Daddy gives bath, lots of kicking and splashing

6.30-7.00pm : Ready for bed, Daddy reads a story whilst I nurse to sleep.

7.00pm onward : Sleeping Nye laid in cot for the night

10.00pm : Sometimes wakes for night feed, nursed to sleep

Plants I've managed not to kill

Plants I've managed not to kill by jenni-clutten on polyvore.com

Z Gallerie - Phalaenopsis Orchid - white Set of 3
$57 - zgallerie.com

Gardening Beginner

I am somewhat of a newcomer to this gardening malarkey. I've been giving it a bit of a go for the last few years with mixed results. However, now I'm at home looking after Nye all day I notice the front garden that is persistently riddled with weeds and I've been slowly doing my best to add flowers and herbs when I can.

Money is obviously a deciding factor when it comes to making changes and limits being able to immediately make it look fit to burst with colour and foliage.  I have made some rookie errors mind you. Firstly, those of us who are not natural gardeners should steer clear of the clearance section where plants are past their best.  Whatever the discount, planting unhealthy plants that immediately die doesn't do much for ones confidence.

This post has been a long time coming as I fail to take photos which really capture how much it has already altered but there is still a long way to go! Here we are back in the day, June 2010 when we bought our first house.

Chocolate and Orange Blossom Mousse

I made my first ever chocolate mousse.  Previously I had incorrectly assumed it was difficult.  I found out that it is in fact easy (as long as you have LOTS of bowls and a electric beater!) Although I don't think you could argue there is much nutritional value other than pure happy indulgence!

I forgot to take a picture :( This is from here

I adapted Jamie Oliver's Recipe from here. (My version uses half and half dark and milk chocolate, alternate orange flavouring to make it a little lighter on the intense chocolate hit.)

Jenni's Chocolate and Orange Blossom Mousse.
Makes 4 small and delicious portions.  Double recipe for more.

Ingredients
* 150g chocolate (I use 100g dark 70% & 50g milk)
* Sea Salt
* 4 Large Eggs
* 50g Caster Sugar (2 1/4 heaped tbsp)
* 150ml double cream
* 1 tsp of orange blossom water (I got this from Waitrose)
* 1 tbsp cocoa powder

Instructions:
1. Melt chocolate adding a small pinch of salt.
2. Separate eggs into whites and yolks.
3. Add the sugar to the yolks and bear until silky smooth (sugar will dissolve)
4. Whisk whites adding a tiny pinch of salt until soft peaks form (can be held over head without falling)
5. In another bowl beat the cream until slightly thick. (just whipped)
6. Add orange blossom water and cocoa powder to yolks and mix.
7. Fold through melted chocolate until well combined.
8. Tip in egg whites and fold in figure of 8 until mix is smooth and evenly coloured.
9. Pour into cups/dishes and leave in fridge to set for 1-2 hours.

ENJOY!

May Retail Therapy

We're on a tight budget these days and any extra pennies are  being saved up in babies new bank account.  But for those that have a few extra £'s here are some things I'd love to splurge out on.

I loved this full price I love them more @ £20!  - Joules Outlet

Or for some colour in the work wardrobe - H&M

I rather like this £1.99 dress... - H&M

Urban Outfitters - New summer bedding anyone!?

For the Nursery - Heals

Heals = Living Room Happy

4 Month Update

Where did the time go?  Nye is now 4 months old and growing more and more every day.

A few nights ago Neil and I looked over the photos of us all from the Hospital and it was unbelievable to see the transformation.  To look back on that time is to almost feel like you are watching a movie that happened to someone else as it is so easy to forget about the trials and tribulations of hospital when you have a baby to keep you busy day in day out at home!

I'm still taking his weekly washing basket photos (which I started taking at 6 weeks) and I am hoping to carry on until he is a year old.

His personality grows with each day, so far he is a very happy chappy. (As I write that he starts to whimper on the baby monitor.)  He hates to be still, loves to meet new people and give them enormous gummy smiles and to go for long walks in his pushchair to take in the big wide world. 

I am normally so keen for the future without taking in the here and now but I already wish I could stop time and bottle up these moments, learning to chatter, smile, laugh, crawl and roll over.  I love our hugs and our kisses, how sad I shall be when you are big and no longer want to be in my arms!