OMG 60 Days.

Some mums say it’s flown by but I definitely don’t think it has. I think the first 3 months will be the hardest to get adjusted and try to figure out the new member of the family. Sleep deprivation is taking its toll and I’m averaging 5 hours total of sleep which is actually not too bad if it was an uninterrupted 5 hours total (I have #bellabeatleaf for helping me see that). Good thing now I can have as much caffeine as I want and its PSL season too.

Comparing Addison with Abigail, Addison seems completely different. She is needier (wants to be held more so baby wearing has been so helpful!), smiles more at this age, observant and seems to listen to what I’m saying. Is that crazy?

When I say listen to what I’m saying, I mean when I talk to Addison. I’ve never been big on “baby talk,” and will speak in a normal voice with sentences/phrases so when talking to her it really seems like she’s listening to me and responding. Granted it’s only 3 things that I have a question/action for her currently. Can you guess them?

1. Are you hungry? Look at me if you want milk. 
2. Do you want your diaper changed? Look at me if you want it changed. 
3. Stretch your legs. Stretch. 

And it is crazy because she actually does it!!

My 4th which we’re still struggling with is “stop crying…please stop crying.” She’s a 50/50 on this and boy it’s been rough!

😂

Anyhow, a little note to you Addison.

Dear A,

When I pick you up from crying, and you give me a smile it melts my heart and at the same time I think, “darn, I fell for you again for wanting me to pick you up and just hold you for a looong time!” 

At 2 months, you love to be swaddled (but still break free) and enjoy having your muslin blankets in your face. Good thing they’re so breathable I don’t get too worried anymore.

You currently have cradle cap which is driving mama crazy so it’s a good thing you love taking baths since you’re getting a lot of coconut oil in your scalp which seems to be working. We’re also loving the MomME eco natural skincare line for you.  It certainly gets the coconut oil out of your hair so you don’t look like you have greasy hair all day and keeps your skin hydrated and smelling good.  Mum approved and the ingredients are lovely.

I can say you’re averaging 5 hours of sleep from midnight to morning which is bliss if I didn’t have to pump during that time! This is amazing to not have to feed you at this time except you’re in our room and make a lot of noises (e.g. cries, screams, snoring). Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a bedroom for you? At least we have the Sleepyhead for you which has been a savior to getting you to sleep safely and bring in our travels.

If we’re in a car, and you notice there is traffic you clearly voice your opinion to us.

One thing is clear, you love to be out and about in the MiaMily carrier but I can’t trick you that long sitting down or standing still.  I know, I know you want me to burn more calories and show the Bellabeat leaf I’m well above an average person’s activity.

Happy 2 months! Oh yea, you LOVE to look at yourself in mummy’s books. All my books have a mirror in the back. #lovebooksbyAJ

Cheers for now and thanks for reading. xx

Travel Bug is Back.

Baby Addison hit 6 weeks and we wanted a weekend getaway from London so we decided to go to Devon (about a 4 hour drive from central London – can be more with the painful traffic out of the city).

As now a family of 4, I started thinking early on what to pack for a 2 night trip with a newborn and 3 year old (I can’t forget myself too, but I did forget hub’s toiletries – apparently as wife you’re suppose to remember to bring his shaver and hair gel).

Newborn

• nappies
• wet wipes
• 4 outfits
• hat
• face towel
• nail clippers (oh so important at this stage!)
• sleep accessories (e.g. sound maker, sleepyhead, blankets/swaddles)
• Nuby bottles & pump

3 year old

• 3 outfits
• 3 undies & socks
• outerwear (something with a hood) and a scarf
• 1 pair of shoes
• pajamas & indoor slippers (once the weather is colder, they’re usually freshly picked moccasins to pack easily)
• blankie (I always bring a muslin blankie as they’re compact and makes my little feel at home)
• toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, face towel, lotion, shampoo, body wash, sunscreen)

And can you believe all of the above fit into our BabyBeau diaper bag?  This diaper bag has it all and its so stylish in grey.  One of the most unique qualities it has is the extra layer (silky soft material) inside to take out and wash should something spill inside the bag. Good thinking!

Furthermore, if you take out the extra layer to clean, there is still another zippered side pocket to put accessories in or if you just don’t want these compartments in the bag. I would probably put my ipad/laptop in this area with the extra layer if I didn’t use it as a weekend bag.

Compartments – there are also just enough compartments to find things quickly in BabyBeau. The 4 side compartments are soft on the hands when you’re sifting through the bag and a nice addition that it can be taken out easily should you just want to pack something that doesn’t need to be separated.

The diaper bag also came with a nice diaper changing pad (that didn’t actually fit in with BOTH my kiddos things) and insulated bottle holder – both lovely accessories to match the bag.  Inside the bag, there is also a detachable zippered pouch for small items (e.g. mommy items, snacks).

I would have to say this bag is definitely well thought out and can transition with your family and doesn’t even have to be called a diaper bag, but a weekend bag due to its size (to note, I wouldn’t call the bag lightweight, but hey – it’s canvas with leather).

BabyBeau Isabelle can be compacted to look smaller with the hooks on both sides of the bag. The bottom of the bag also has the 4 metal balls so the material isn’t touching sometimes dirty floors.

We travel light and only bring necessities, but we’re also lucky in that we (and the kids) don’t have special products that we can’t live without besides now the MiaMily hipster carrier.– a practical carrier where you can run some errands in and not have to bring a diaper bag as well. YAY!

We used ours for the first time this weekend and LOVE it. I didn’t have the original MiaMily carrier and used the Ergo with baby #1 so here are my thoughts.

• Infant insert is so soft and perfect size for my 6 week old to keep her nice and secure in there.  There are 2 snaps to adjust as your infant grows
• Carrier material is easy to clean and I was wearing a tank top so it didn’t hurt my shoulders or arms (no marks on me – it is also fall here in England so no feedback on hot weather, but for babe there is mesh lining inside which can be zippered down to be more breathable).
• Shoulder and waist straps are easy to clip together and velcro can be adjusted easily.
• Amazing feature is the zippered pouch below the seat of babe to put accessories in (e.g. bottle, diaper, phone, keys, snack) for some errands instead of bringing a bag. There is also a side mesh pouch to put a phone at – wow, MiaMily thought of everything!

Any cons you might be thinking? I would have to say – hot, humid weather may be rough with the carrier and babe in it since the carrier isn’t a cotton material.  Another thing is that it doesn’t fold into a super compact size, but it does come with a travel bag that can also fit the infant insert in it.

We chose to stay at an Airbnb for the weekend and found the cutest place – The Lakehouse. Our place overlooked our own little lake and it was so peaceful minus Addison crying a lot. The owner also had sheep, alpacas, pigs, and dogs which absolutely made Abigail’s weekend to play and see them. Beautiful countryside property and would highly recommend (one thing – bring your own toiletries, none provided).

These alpacas were insanely cute and soft.

Daddy and daughter selfie with the pigs (piglets in the back too).

We were going to do a baby animal petting zoo for Abigail’s 4th birthday, but seeing her with the cockapoos, probably not.

The property. – this building was a Roman bathhouse back in the day.

We also checked out the town before we left back to London in our Joovy. Abigail LOVES to roll in this as she can also keep a close eye on her baby sister. This double stroller is definitely more suitable in a spacious setting like here. Big perks – super smooth wheels, can put a car seat on it, and kickboard for toddler to stand on built in.

Loved our much needed weekend getaway and looking forward to our next adventure in October.

Cheers for now and thanks for reading. xx