teething

Products we love right now… 

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I generally don’t write reviews, I’ll always pop up what I like on social media but sometimes good products merit a review and we have loved some lately. I do get sent things but I’m never going to say I like something if I don’t, having said that there is little we are sent that I/we really don’t like.

First up was bibs we got sent. Bibetta have a range of bibs online and we got sent a feeding bib and a dribble bib. The feeding bib was excellent, in fact I’m going to order another one soon. It was kind of scuba material so easily cleaned but also easily dried which is a winner for me. The dribble bib was definitely more absorbent than others we have used, I suppose the only thing for me was the range of designs wasn’t as good as others. Bibs start at about £7.00 and available online.

Next up is Molloys Pharmacy own formulation of teething gel and nappy cream, especially good for sore teething bums. Our little man has been teething since 4 months but still only 2 teeth to his name at almost 1. I was purchasing this product anyway but then Molloys kindly sent it to me along with the nappy cream. The gel has a strong smell with the clove bud oil as the main product and he does resist taking it somewhat but it definitely seems to get instant results for soothing. It’s all natural too which is a bonus. The nappy cream is also their own formulation with calamine, lanolin and olive oil. We sent it into Creche when they said his bum was sore. He’s never suffered from nappy rash so I’m putting this down to teeth too. It worked a dream and the very next day his bum was back to normal. You can get their great products online. 

Last but not least is the Obeo boxes we got sent. We had just recently purchased a small bin in ikea for food scraps since Panda brought in changes to the bins but during the tail end of summer the fruit flies were in abundance and really it needed to clear out daily which can be annoying. The obeo boxes can sit on your counter top, ours sat on top of redundant bin and as you prep lunch/dinner the food scraps can go in. I think the reason I hadn’t picked them up before was they seemed a bit expensive, current RRP is €3.85 for 5. However having used them and a believer in time is money I think they may be now something that makes it into the shopping trolley in the future, especially in summer months and would be so handy over Christmas too. You can also use the code foodwaste if you fancy trying them out to get 10% off! They are available online or Supervalu stores nationwide. 

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A week of firsts…. 💙💙

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I got that Friday feeling big time this week… It’s been a week of lots of firsts and I’m both exhausted and elated. 

Just over a week ago Max’s 2 bottom teeth popped through, finally!!! We had a few weeks before that of horrendous sleep so the two new spikey additions were welcomed.

Next up was crawling, also would have played its part is the dreadful sleep… My husband had always thought he would start before crèche and I really hoped he would. Sure as can be after weeks of his own little manuvoures he got up on his knees but his little hand forward and he was flying it-delighted with himself! It was a lovely moment and cheered up a dreary Tuesday morning.

The very next day was the start of settle in week in creche. I felt all the emotions, it didn’t matter that this was my second time round I was equally upset. I put on his little outfit, took the obligatory pic and off we went. It didn’t go so well, the minute I stepped out of the room he completely lost it. More than anything is surprised me cause he’s such a sociable little chap but he is also a mamas boy and pretty clued in so I reckon he picked up on the vibes and was testing the water. The next day went a whole lot better and that was such a relief. Today was a mixed bag but with a cold picked up from his dada and a few other reasons I can pin point I am hoping on his return next week we might have a smoother run… 

In the midst of all this I can see my older boy getting so independent and grown up so I am a bag of emotions at the moment but I also want to burst with pride. I need cake, coffee and wine to assist with all these changes and I’ve been allowing myself plenty these last few days. Now work looms and I think I’m ‘kinda’ ready! 😬

6 months-The world of weaning…

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Josh has just turned 7 months so I’m looking back on the 6 month mark, it is a month I look on very fondly. It seems each month just whizzes by quicker than the last!

He turned 6 months the day after his christening which was a wonderful weekend that I posted about a few weeks ago. This month was all about getting him well into weaning and I have to say he has really taken to his food very well-a little foodie like his mama.

We started Josh on solids at 19 weeks, baby rice and puréed fruit and veg where his main staple but this month we did big batches of chicken, fish and beef combos. It took him a while to really enjoy the chicken, I think it was the texture but he now gobbles it up no problem. We also introduced yoghurts-I find the glenisk ones great and finally bread which he adores!!!

Yoghurt also took him a while to get used to for some reason but the bread went down a treat, taking little pieces at first and now he holds a chunk of toast in his hand most mornings and munches away..The clevafeed is also a great contraption for sticking some fruit like melon or strawberries into so they can suck on that too. Next up is the sippy cup so I’ll let you know how that goes!

This month we’ve also had the top tooth trying to cut through, the bud appearing and disappearing and making Josh a little grumbly at times so during these periods I alternate with teetha, calpol and nurofen to get him through. He drools a lot more during these times and with the recent temperature increase he can develop a little chin heat rash so I put some Vaseline on it as a barrier at night and that seems to soothe it.

He is just the best craic and a great little chum to hang out with every day. I made the hard decision this month to wind up my event business for the foreseeable to spend some extended time with the little man and I know it won’t be a decision I’ll regret! Even when he’s a little grumpy he smiles and can give you a giggle-that alone makes everything worth it.

I know the next 6 are going to fly by so we are going to enjoy the summer and continue to make some special memories together.

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4 months

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We are racing through Josh’s 4 month mark.

Really getting to know his little ways has been so much fun. His development has really taken a leap too. Laughs are a regular occurrence, he grabs and sucks anything within reach and he has fallen into a nice little night routine too.

We got a tricky toothie phase so used teetha gel, we purchased a gummee glove and calpol was administered when required. Drool has still continued but grouchy Josh has gone again and my smiling happy boy has returned.

At 19 weeks I also decided to start him on solids after my visit to Ballymaloe. We stocked up on the blender, weaning spoons/bowls & fresh fruit and veg. We started the first couple of days with a spoon of baby rice/porridge and transitioned onto carrots and pears. I boiled & puréed these and popped them in silicone ice cube trays in the freezer so I could take out a portion each day. 2 ice cubes is enough at first so a couple of carrots goes a long way! His first few days he wasn’t quite sure what to make of the spoon, the food and the whole experience but 2 weeks on he cries when I take away the carrot and loves to grab the spoon too! My phn gave me a great tip, not to wipe away the excess from his mouth as they also have taste buds surrounding their lips so it is all part of the learning for them. It will be a messy process so best just to embrace it. 2 weeks in I think it’s going well so next week it will be porridge in the morning and late afternoon tea of a new veg/fruit..

Having said all that mama has found this one of the harder months. It’s like the last 4 months have accumulated as I am exhausted, sometimes I feel like I am sinking, sometimes overwhelmed so with such a wonderful little boy & husband in my life I have decided to re evaluate things a little and work out our daily lives in a way that works out a little better for all.

As I approach my first ever Mother’s Day I hope I can put my tiredness irrational self behind me and believe what I am doing is good enough, enjoy every moment because one thing I do know is how unbelievably lucky I am to have such a wonderful little family.

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