Tuesday 31 December 2013

Full of Festive Cheer

This was L's first Christmas. I cried a lot at the sheer joy of sharing this special time of year with her. The magic of Christmas Eve, the music and services, family and friends, feasts and joy.

We had a Christmas Bucket List and in four short weeks we had achieved nearly all. 

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Oh Christmas Tree

A Christmas tree, L's first Christmas tree. 

Our tree buying photo story.


Friday 20 December 2013

Baby Craft at Christmas: Salt Dough Decorations

As a teacher I would regularly spend my mornings at work making a dough of one sort of another. Playdough, cloud dough and salt dough. Playing with a dough is great for grose and fine motor development as well as being an eternally popular activity in any playroom or classroom. 

Today I made a salt dough. I most often use this dough when I want to make something to keep as it dries really well. It can also easily be painted and decorated for Diwali lamps or, as today Christmas decorations. 

It is very quick and easy to make. Simply put equal amounts of plain flour and salt in a bowl. I used a cup measurement.

Baby Present Ideas Christmas 2013

Today and tomorrow are supposed to be the busiest days on the high street before Christmas. Having worked in retail I can attest to the craziness which is the last shopping Saturday before Christmas as well as the strange calm which is Christmas Eve with only men shopping. (This isn't prejudice just my own personal experience from years working in retail, I don't know what the ladies are doing but very few are Christmas shopping and the shops are actually not that full (this is not the same for food shops which are horrid elbow jabbing areas!))

I have obviously been pinning like a mad woman. You can read L's First Christmas List (which will also become her birthday list) and if you're anything like me you will get lost in the pinning madness also!

In the spirit of one thing you want, one thing you read, one thing you need, and one thing to wear my baby present categories are as follows.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Snowy Playtime

L was hostess for a recent NCT playtime and I took the opportunity to be a bit creative with a Playspace for L and her baby chums.

I wanted something with lights as it is Christmas and something snow like as we probably won't be having a white Christmas. I didn't want to spend money (SMP is pretty miniscule) and had an afternoon and evening to do it in.

I had seen a light tunnel on the home of good ideas and way to waste hours which is Pinterest but was lacking a cardboard box big enough (ironically one arrived the day before the party but it still contained our new boiler) so improvised by using our airer. It is high enough to keep the lights out of pesky mouths and also had the ability to use pegs to attach the lights from. 

I had two large Aden and Anais muslin swaddles (love these so very much, completely indulgent but so very worth it for their continued fabulous uses). They are white and starry which suited my theme quiet well. They were easily pegged over the airer as well as being long enough to pull together at one end to enclose the tunnel. Brilliant.

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Breakfast with Heinz

We were lucky enough to be sent some lovely Heinz breakfast goodies for L to try when we started weaning.

Friday 6 December 2013

Preparing to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding is natural. All you need is a mum and a baby. 

Tosh in my opinion. 

Thursday 5 December 2013

Baby Craft at Christmas: Christmas Cards

We have well and truly gotten our festivities under way in the Morkus home. We have chosen outfits. We have made a bucket list. We have lit the advent candle.

Mummy Morkus Features On ...

Today I am featured over on Baba+Boo's blog talking about weaning L. We are turning six months next week and ready to hit this milestone with food of all sorts. I have done lots of reading and am going for a mix of BLW and puree/spoon feeding. You can read my post here.
 
I also used this guest post to introduce and do a shout out for a new feature, Weaning Wednesday!
 
If you would like to share top tips, your experiences of weaning or a favourite recipe which your little one enjoyed please get in touch with me as I would love to share a range of stories and experiences for my own benefit and for my readers.
 
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Previous features ... 

Christmas Wardrobe 0-6 Months Christmas 2013

Last week I won a ticket to the opening of the newly refurbished Mothercare store on Oxford St. I met some lovely fellow bloggers, spotted a fair few celebs and sipped champagne with my mum while shopping. We had a great night.

(image courtesy of Mothercare UK)
 
I used this opportunity to compile a festive wardrobe for L from the selection on offer. Mothercare have a great Christmas clothes selection and these are my top picks.

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Christmas Bucket List

L's first Christmas. Our first family Christmas. So many traditions to start and sights to show our daughter on this first magical time.

I wish to start as we want to go on and introduce L to the true meaning of Christmas as well as the modern Christmas traditions. Christingle services, nativity stories and scenes and advent candles. We will also make up Christmas gifts for a boy and girl the same age as L who might not be as lucky as L. I hope to do this every year as L grows she can be more involved in choosing and thinking of others less fortunate than herself. 

We will also be indulging in the modern Christmas. A tree, decoration, parties and presents for all. 

Here is my Christmas Bucket List. 


I can't wait to get started and celebrate this special time with my special people.

Monday 2 December 2013

Twelve Short Months: Slapped Cheek and Second Looks

I arrived back at work after my booking in appointment with the midwife to be told that a child in my class had something called slapped cheek. I didn't know what it was. The infectious disease information at school said to inform your midwife if you came into contact with it. I duly called her back only to be told not to worry.

An hour later and more research on mine and the schools part and it was found to actually be a bit of a worry. The NHS Choices website has a list of complications and time frames. I was 10 weeks pregnant. This was on the border of the risky time for baby, a really risky time. Possibly the most devastating of things can happen, and if not that then other very close monitoring is needed for a potentially dangerous side affects for baby.