The best and only thing you should buy your newborn

Honestly, this is the best baby product I have ever brought and if I could only choose one thing for my little one, this would be it.

I have wrapped both of my girls, and have struggled to keep those little Houdini arms inside their wraps. I have tried all sorts of methods and techniques but nothing really worked. I often found that my newborns would startle and wake themselves with their wee arms and personally, I believe that a wrapped baby sleeps better and for longer.

So when I saw my good friend Staceys delicious wee newborn in this ingenious wrap I was impressed! The first time that wee Sylvie got her arms out of her wrap I went and brought one. The next day, I went and brought another and now Sylvie always sleeps in hers.

When my good friend Kara had her wee boy recently I just had to share the love and get one for them too. She loves it! And went out and brought herself another one the day after using it.

I struggled with wrapping Claudia for months and months as I hadn't discovered these, but with Sylvie I don't have to worry that she is going to wake herself or get cold. Perfect!

So if you are anticipating a newborn or are looking for a present to buy someone who has one, this is it.

It really is the best and only thing to buy your newborn.

(Awwwww, Sylvie and Nanny x )

Life with Two

When people discover that I have a 20 month old and a 9 weeker, the response usually is "Oh you'll be busy then." And I am. But show me a mum that isn't? Having children 18 months apart isn't unusual, and lots of women have them even closer in age. Anyway who's to say that if you have your children further apart then you are any less busy???

I prefer to think of my life as full.

On re-reading yesterdays post, I thought maybe it sounded as if I was having a bit of a moan about life. On the contrary, I am happy with my staying-at-home, eating my daughters scraps, coffee at the park while chasing children and trying to 'catch up' with friends kind of life. (oh yeah and I forgot to mention that the other thing I often do is neglect my hair and/or shoe choice, not realising until I catch a glimpse of myself in a window reflection or rear-view mirror. Ah doesn't matter, at least my kids look cute. ALSO, I went to visit Ange yesterday and forgot to bring wipes!? Who does that after writing about it?!)

My life is full. Full of love and little moments of absolute pleasure, knowing that I am at home with my two girls.

This time last year I was busy. I was beside myself trying to be a super-mum and a super-teacher and it was hard. Now I'm not worrying about work, child care, planning, and other peoples children. I'm embracing being a stay-at-home mum. My life is full and I love it.

So I guess what I was trying to say yesterday was, this is what my days are like, my they have changed, and I love it.

(I'm still in my jammies. It's probably 1pm.)

Life with Two

My how things have changed with two. No more daytime napping or coffee dates in public, for a start.

Here are some other things that have changed in my life of late...

I often forget to feed myself. When I do eat, I don't prepare myself anything. (Ahem/I basically just eat Claudias scraps and any sweet treats I can find). For example, yesterday I had, two coffees, one piece of toast, 2 chocolate hot cross buns, a handful of grapes, half a savaloy, half a banana, one bottle of 'V', two (very) large slices of citrus slice, and a bowl of cold chicken satay.

Whenever I go to 'catch up' with friends, especially those who have children also, I leave feeling that I have had about 20 half-conversations. Basically we've spent our time chasing toddlers/feeding babes, etc, never properly catching up at all.

I am a home-body. I like being at home. I already knew before having children, but now I have to decide whether or not it is worth leaving the house at all with two. And generally after 4pm is a no go. Aaaand I generally forget something if I do make the effort. Wipe or nappies, it's usually one or the other.

The days go. so. fast. By the time I get up and get everyone organised, fed, dressed and ready to face the day, it's morning tea time and also time to put Claudia back to bed for her morning nap.

I had forgotten how skilled I am at producing milk. Honestly. I am really good. And if I could only bottle and sell the stuff I would be a millionaire. Although, second time around breastfeeding and I still can't master doing it gracefully.

Having another hasn't made me any less clucky!

(She is laughing here)

7 weeks

Our beautiful Sylvie...

... 7 weeks old today.

The Small Things

Things are slowly returning back to 'normal' around the Hag household. Sylvie is settling into the world, and Claudia is figuring out that our newest addition is a permanent fixture around here. Then there is Hag and I, who are starting to feel human again and muddling our way around being parents of two.

Sylvie was 6 weeks young yesterday and it amazes me at how fast the day has rolled around this time. I guess I have always felt that 6 weeks is a milestone for parents, like if you've made it this far reasonably unscathed then everything is going to be okay.

It really feels like a lifetime since we were at the hospital welcoming her but already she's beginning to smile and make those delicious baby noises that I love so much.

January, February and I'm sure the rest of March, have been slow, sleepy times around here, and thankfully we have found ourselves not as anxious that we are doing all of the 'right things' with Sylvie. We are much more relaxed, (although our Newbies Feeding Journal is still being used!) and are sure that love is all she really needs.

The Christchurch tragedy has hit our small country hard, and all I can think about is the babies and small children who this has affected. So I hold our Little Ones a bit tighter and am trying appreciate all of the small things that we sometimes let slip by in the busy craziness of our lives...

Walks on the beach...

... with your best bud.

Grandparents...

... and great grandparents.

Smiles...

and belly laughs...

(trouble or what?!)

Tiny gardeners...

and strawberries.

Grandad time...

... and 'huggles'...

(Sister Julie, and my wee nephew)

(Uncle Mule)

(Uncle Marc)

Bright eyes,

sleeping babies...

... and full tummies.

(Don't you just love babies in this state!)

and of course, Doting Dads.

(the one that holds it all together x)