Kimmythingy

Snotty Baby?

2011-05-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

Its been a little miserable around these parts over the last couple of weeks.
My beloved children have been recycling their germs and all four of them have had coughs, sore throats and runny noses. For the two littlest ones (Oscar - 8 months and George - 2) this has led to some serious unhappiness, lots of tears and more than a few sleepless nights.

I noticed that '4Little1' were looking for volunteers to try out their nasal aspirator with travel case and honestly, the opportunity couldn't have come at a better time! In fact, I think I almost ripped their arm off!
The last nasal aspirator we had was....well...just alright. It was a bulb aspirator, and to be honest I found the shape rather awkward. I actually wasn't even sad when Hubby accidentally sterilised the thing, and melted it into a big globby mess.

The Baby Nose-Clear nasal aspirator looked altogether different from my previous aspirator when I took it out of its packaging. There is a nozzle to be placed just outside of baby's nostril, thin tubing connecting the nozzle to a mouthpiece and a filter and enclosed chamber between the two to prevent any mucus making its way up the tubing.

To clear the icky mucus, you place the nozzle just outside baby's nostril, place the mouthpiece in your mouth (duh!) and suck gently to draw the mucus into the nozzle for collection in the enclosed chamber. Simple!

Now let's be honest. There was a tiny bit of initial trepidation when I first used the Baby Nose Clear. I didn't relish the idea of mucus making it's way into my mouth. Once I'd read the informative enclosed pamphlet however, I realised that this was absolutely not going to happen. The filter and enclosed chamber ensure that anything collected in the nozzle stays in the lower portion of the Baby Nose Clear, no matter how hard you choose to suck.

Which brings me on to a great positive of the Baby Nose Clear. Unlike traditional bulb aspirators, the Baby Nose Clear Aspirator can be used with varying degrees of suction, and you're in complete control at all times. Sometimes the mucus may be thicker, and need you to suck in slightly harder than other occasions. Gross? Possibly....but true.
There is a recommendation that you can test out the Baby Nose Clear for the first time, if you're anxious, with mayonnaise. I chose to just test the suction out on the back of my hand.
The design of the aspirator means that you only need one hand to clear baby's nose. The second is free for cradling baby's head, OR...as I chose, to hold his hands whilst he was laid on his Widgey Pillow. It was quick and painless!

And on to the important bit. It worked VERY well, the only thing really that matters (especially when you're a sleep deprived, frazzled Mama of unhappy small people). I tested the aspirator on baby Oscar, and following the first suction he was immediately able to drink a bottle of milk, without the tears that had preceded every previous bottle for the prior 24hours. I'm sure he felt more comfortable being able to breathe more easily with a nose free from gunk! A second suction before nap-time and a third before bed, helped him settle more restfully than for previous nights.

And honestly, I think I have saved the best bit for last. In the UK, the Baby Nose Clear aspirator (albeit minus the travel case) is available on prescription! I wish someone had shared this little gem of knowledge with me before we trawled the local shops last time for the bulb aspirator that I so dearly hated! All you need to do is ask your GP to prescribe it, and you'll be able to pick up the product free from your Chemist. Alternatively, you can purchase one easily from Boots.

I was really pleased with this product and have already recommended it to several of my (equally frazzled and sleep-deprived) friends with snotty babies and toddlers. Its worth a try ladies and gents!

I also tested the Baby Nose Clear Room Vapour from 4Little1.
I found this product similar to other decongestants available on the market, in terms of its effectiveness, however I found that the fragrance was much less overpowering that some of its competitors. The Room Vapour had a Lemon, Tea-Tree and Pine scent, which to my nose was more subtle than your traditional Eucalyptus and Menthol and so may be preferable to some. It is also 100% natural and therefore without synthetic fragrances. I chose to test a few drops of this product in a bowl of warm water on the windowsill of my son's bedroom, in combination with suction using the Baby Nose Clear Nasal Aspirator.

To those with poorly little ones at the moment, you have my sympathy.
Get well soon small-people!

*I was provided this product for free in exchange for a review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own and unbiased.

Showers and Sprinkles

2011-05-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

I have long wanted to throw a Baby Shower, perhaps even more than I wanted to have one my own (which, btw....is just as well, because 4 children later, I've not had one! Pffft!)
Bringing together special friends and family to celebrate the impending arrival of a new life is such a great ~~excuse~~ reason for a party, and I loved the idea of orchestrating such an exciting day.

Unfortunately, Baby showers aren't big in the UK and most people don't consider the idea. So when my bestie announced that she was expecting her first child, I jumped at the chance to host her Shower for her, luckily she was equally thrilled with the prospect, and gave me free reign on design and all ideas. Hurrah!

I started researching almost immediately and felt both excited and yet slightly intimidated by the amazing Shower's showcased online. I'm not an events planner, and nor do I have an endless budget. It became clear that I had my work cut out for me, but that there was a wealth of inspiration available for me to tap into!

I'll update in a week or so on how my Baby Shower planning is going. It's going to be a mid-afternoon tea party, with cakes and scones, and fruity tea. My English spin on a definitely American tradition. For now though, I wanted to share just a tiny snap of some of the amazing Baby Showers that I have come across online - there are some seriously swanky parties going on!

This gorgeous elephant themed shower was designed by Sarah of Style Me Gorgeous
Everything about this theme is gorgeous. The muted, soft colour pallet is perfect, and the cute elephant is PERFECT! Well done Sarah!
Since my bestie's baby currently goes by the nickname 'peanut', I daresay that we'll have some elephants thrown into her shower too.

And how about this Tricycle themed Baby Shower?! This was coordinated by 2Chic Events and Design

and I think they got this one SPOT on! Its charming and playful, but whilst maintaining its style.

And one more? Shall we?

How about something girly? This gorgeous Parisienne styled shower was designed by Sheree,

It is unashamedly pink, glamorous and chic. Beautifully put together.

It is safe to say that I shan't be going into professional event planning any time soon!
I'm just hoping that mine will have its own charm, for all its quirks!

My next task is to explore baby shower games. A mindfield!
Have you been to a Baby Shower recently? Do you have any tips that might help me in my quest?

This time I have NO words.

2011-04-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Let them be little.

2011-04-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the Billy Dean country song 'Let them be little'?

I remember the very first time I heard this song. I remember exactly how I felt, my heart melted, my eyes involuntarily teared up, and admittedly I felt a tiny pang of guilt. In my mind, this song spoke to me of the exact way that our children should be raised, they should be allowed their innocence, their time to play, their time to get messy, to learn their lessons and find their feet.

Our little ones are small for such a short time, so why do we sometimes feel in a rush to let them grow?
We want them to sleep through the night, we are desperate for them to crawl and walk and talk. We want them to help us.
But as the song says "you turn around and its time to let them go... "

I started thinking about this song the other day as I was pondering responsibilities and childhood chores. My eldest son is 10, and I was surprised to learn that many of his peers already make their own lunches for school, grab their own breakfast, help look after younger siblings, and have other such responsibilities.
Now my son is no stranger to helping out around the house, he and his sister are expected to set the table for dinner, keep their rooms clean, and I'll frequently be asking him to fetch something (a nappy, or a toy for example) for one of his younger siblings. To me though, cooking or preparing food, sweeping, mopping, dressing younger siblings etc, these jobs are mine, or my husband's. These are not things I expect of my children, or wish to expect of them in the near future. They should be focusing on having fun. I am responsible for running the home. These lines should not be greyed.

It turns out that I have friends that strongly disagree with me on such matters. And of course, this is fine. I have many Mama friends, and I do not expect that we will always choose to raise our children in exactly the same way. I found it interesting though, that by not raising my children with this strong sense of home responsibility and duty, could leave them ill equipped to deal with life outside of the nest. What if they wake up one day, in their own home, with no idea how to boil an egg, or iron a shirt? Will I have failed them?

So it has led me to think about age appropriate responsibilities for my children.
As far as cooking or preparing meals goes, I'm still not thrilled with the prospect of my young children fending for themselves. Even if this just means toasting some bread or pouring cereal into a bowl and adding milk! I can't justify it, it just seems like this one should be one the grown-ups, and least until they are in their teens.

Equally, dressing, bathing or changing nappies of younger siblings, I do not feel comfortable with.
My husband and I chose to bring 4 children into our lives, and therefore looking after such basic needs as these should be on us.

So what does that leave? Help me out.
What responsibilities do you expect from your children. Do you think I'm setting myself up to have spoiled, mollycoddled adolescents? I'm intrigued!

To Snip or NOT To Snip?

2011-04-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

Four little ones, and I am sure that my baby-making days are over.
Right now, this is something I am entirely comfortable with.
No more babies.....great.

To be honest though, the thought of making that a definite still terrifies me. Taking action to ensure that there will no more little people inhabiting this baby-factory seems so final, so permanent.

Hubby and I have discussed this subject over and over. If the truth be told, he had made himself an appointment for the 'ouchy snippage' before we conceived Oscar. Whoops.
He thought he was done. I had other ideas and managed to convince him that we needed one final addition. Win!

Now though, we're both on the same page. Our family is complete. So why is it so scary still?
All the literature that we've read suggests that it really isn't so ouchy. Hubby has already given me the green light and even bravely offered to have it done under local anaesthetic to get on the shorter waiting list. There are lots of pros that I can think of, not least that I wouldn't ever need to use birth control again. Surely I should be convinced already.

*shrugs*

I guess my fear comes from recalling how desperate I was to have our fourth baby. It was an all consuming, crazed desperation that took up virtually every waking thought. I'm sure part of that desperation was borne from Hubby's resolve that we were already complete. The more he told me he was done, the more I begged.

Maybe its similar to when I was giving up smoking (stay with me people.....). I know that if I had cigarettes in my bag, I could stop myself from smoking them. For some people it would have been impossible to resist, but for me just knowing the option was there made it easier to find the willpower to abstain.
Maybe its a similar concept. Whilst I know the option of having more children is one we can entertain, I won't feel a crazy need to run out to the shops and buy one....wait....wrong analogy. You know where I'm coming from though, right?

I guess this is one we need to ponder on for a while longer. Surgery is a big step.
If any of you have taken the big step of sterilisation or vascectomy and have any advice, I'd love to hear it!

Organised Mama

2011-04-04T01:56:00.000-07:00

Confession time....."Hi. I have four children and I need a Personal Assistant just to remember all of their social engagements!"

I'm a self confessed scatter brain. I try oh-so-hard to be methodical but I would forget my crazy head if it wasn't attached to my neck. So, this year I have been trying out a few different organisation systems (diaries, calendars, planners etc) to see if any of them might land my children in the right place at the right time and help me to remember all of their little friends birthdays. So far, so good, and I've come across a few gems worth sharing.

My first try this year, was The Organised Mum Family Life Book courtesy of a lovely friend.
I already use the Organised Mum Family Home Planner as our main calendar. It hangs in our kitchen and has

enough columns for all six of us to have sufficient space for our activities, so I was thrilled to try out the Life Book as I needed something to sling in my bag and carry out and about with me.

There were so many awesome things about this book, not least that you can separately order these fabby zip up leather covers to use year after year and stop the book from looking shabby.

My favourite elements of this diary though, are the perforated shopping lists (fab) and the separate mini pull out address book. There are also cute little stickers to highlight special dates.

The prize (of my everlasting gratitude...oh yeah) for my favourite 2011 diary, goes to Erin Condren for her to-die-for personalised Life Planner. I'm a big old stationery geek, and this was right up my street!
I ordered the Trellis cover as shown below, and was not disappointed in the slightest!
It was even worth waiting for a friend to bring over for me from The States.

This link should let you see the planner in action. They are truly gorgeous.

The hard wearing laminated diary cover was personalised with my name, and also came with some gorgeous large matching personalised labels which I've already started using on exercise book covers. The best thing about it (Oh wait...I can't pick just one thing), it it beautifully bright and cheery, with inspirational quotes and quirky fonts. Gone are the days of boring, standard issue diaries. This one really does attract comments when used out and about and makes organisation fun.

It comes with bright event stickers, some pre-printed for special occasions, and others left blank for you to write your own dates. It has year at a glance, month at a glance, and week at a glance pages, plus room to add special dates for each month.

Extras include a plastic zip-up pocket for important bits and bobs, and keep it together slot-in pockets for birthday invitations, receipts, etc. I also took the option of ordering the coordinating notepads to stick on the back cover. I know they'll be fab when I go back to work.

I'll admit it though, I tore out the shopping lists from the Organised Mum diary, and also pinched the pull out address book, and they sit in the 'keep it together' pocket of my Erin Condren planner. I get the best of both worlds now.

Please check out http://www.erincondren.com/ , her website now sits amongst my favourites and any stationery geek will love her funky books, invitations, stickers, and more. I promise, I'm not affiliated in any way with this lovely lady, but I am a huge fan!

I can't say it has cured my scattiness, but it has definitely helped me keep on top of school dates, play dates, social gatherings and parties. And trust me my friend, my children love me for that. They don't need to make excuses for their forgetful Mother any more ;-)

New Mummy Favourites

2011-01-10T05:26:00.000-08:00

When you first discover that you're going to have a baby, every other person seems to know what is best for your unborn child.
You will be bombarded with (often unwanted) advice, and told frequently that 'X' product will make your baby; happier/sleep longer/become a genius.

I'm not going to claim any of the above, but I am going to tell you about 3 products, that have worked for me and that I would recommend whole-heartedly to anyone that asks (and many people that haven't!)
If you are looking for ideas for your gift registry, looking for a present for a new Mummy or Mummy-to-be, or just wanting to spoil yourself. Here are some suggestions.

1) A swaddle blanket

This one, from Swaddle Designs is made from the softest cotton flannel and has been with us since Day 1 of Oscar. At 4 months old he still sleeps with it, like this, every night! It doesn't look like he is going to give it up any time soon!

Some babies just can't seem to sleep well unless their flailing arms are restricted a little, and the swaddle blanket does just that, along with making them feel cocooned rather like they were inside the womb. I am desperate for another one of these, if that goes any way to explain just how much love I have for this blanket! We've tried swaddling with other blankets and sheets but nothing works/feels like this one.

Its worth also mentioning that swaddling is also known to reduce the incidence of SIDS.

2) A wrap, or baby sling.

I'm personally, a huge fan of the Moby.
You could end up with a baby that settles beautifully in his/her crib, or tolerates time awake on the floor or in a baby swing. Alternatively, you could find yourself pacing, endlessly, trying to comfort a colicky, unhappy, red faced little one.

Wraps and slings allow you to do almost all of your daily tasks with your baby strapped to your chest. Your little one will likely find it comforting, it is a beautiful way to bond with your baby, and you have your hands completely free to vacuum, tidy the house, or feed yourself cookies and milk. *cough*
It is also a great alternative to purchasing a double buggy, if you already have a toddler. You can use the sling/wrap with your infant to bridge the gap until your toddler does not need a pushchair.

3) Feeding Cushion

Now, I've saved my favourite until last. I've used this cushion day in, day out, for Oscar and with George and it has been taken virtually everywhere. It was there at the hospital when the boys were born, and has been daily ever since.

This is my Widgey pillow. I use it to support Oscar when I'm breastfeeding, saving my arms from the weight of the evergrowing baby lump! I also use it as a baby nest to prop Oscar on whilst readjusting my clothes, following feeding, or for short periods of time. George used it lots when learning to sit.

Love it!

Just a few items that on a daily basis make my life as a busy Mum of 4 a little easier. :-)

A flippin' update on those Flips.

2011-01-07T03:37:00.000-08:00

One of my most viewed pages is the review I wrote on the Flip Cloth Nappy system when I trialled it with George. I think its only fair that now I have had some time to use the Flips with Oscar, I give an update on how we have found them. My opinion has changed somewhat :-)

I started using the Flips with George when he was around 2 years old. No matter what I tried, the little guy managed to out-wet them each and every time in a stupidly short time frame (note however, we were unable to find a single cloth nappy, regardless of boosting, that worked for him). It was not a success. I'll be honest and say that if this nappy had not been a 'Birth to Potty' system, I would have probably sold it on, and been glad to see the back side of it! I knew, however, that we were expecting a new baby and so hung onto the nappy just in case it suited a newborn better. I am soooooo glad that I did!

We started using the Flip on Oscar when he was around the 9lb mark. He had chickeny legs and I felt that until that point, there was too much gaping at the leg to contain anything! From the first time I used them, I was impressed with their versatility. I can use them with the stay-dry insert overnight with no problems, and during the day, I can use the outer shell with my beloved prefolds. I have also used the shell over a fitted nappy, just adjusting the waist to a slightly farther snap.

The shell has great containment, in fact...much better than disposables. Oscar's explosive breastmilk baby poos could leak out of front, back and sides of a 'sposie, yet the Flip keeps everything in.
The shells are designed with a PUL, wipe clean inner, meaning it can be reused for several nappy changes with a new insert. This is a much more economical option than using pocket nappies, or All-In-Ones.

Even on a tiny scrawny newborn, they don't look ridiculously large. Of course, there is a reasonable amount of material squashage between baby's legs, but this is always to be expected with a nappy system that will see your baby through to potty training. The tabs fasten with poppers across the waist, and have a satisfying amount of stretch to them - this means that Oscar has had his Flips on the smallest fastening for almost 2.5 months, and they still fit like a glove.

I have since bought a further two Flips to add to my stash, now consisting of a Twilight, a Moonbeam and a Grasshopper. New colours were brought out in the UK in 2010, to match those available for the BG v3.
Whilst they are not necessarily the prettiest nappies in my stash, they are in my top 3 for reliability, and my favourites to travel with - since the shell can be reused.

I'd strongly recommend giving this nappy system a try. Even if it doesn't suit Oscar when he is older, and a much heavier wetter, we are getting lots of use out of them now, which means they will still have been a financially viable choice. Give them a try, and let me know how you get on!

Where have I been?

2010-12-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

Parenting four children is wonderful....but I will stand by my statement that it is truly a 'special kind of crazy'

Good news though. I think we are starting to emerge, slowly from the fog of insanity. Either that, or we are just learning to handle it better. Either way.... it's a good thing!

Whilst most people say I appear to look calm and collected most of the time, I would like to remind you of the Swan. She might look serene, but below the surface her legs are manically treading water trying to keep herself afloat! ;-)

Oscar is now almost 4 months, and decidedly less disgruntled with the world. He will now lay for short periods of time under his play gym, or in his baby swing, allowing occasionally free-arms for yours truly, every once in a while. His favourite place however is still nestled against someones bosy (of course, mine is best), getting long snuggles.

He's still on the 'Mummy-milk', but now he also has one bottle of formula a day, usually around lunch-time. This has been a big life-saver, and although I watched his first bottle feed with tears streaming down my face, it was the right thing to do for the family. I needed to be able to divide my time more equally between all the little ones, and one less feed has done something to help the balance. Mixed feeding was not something I wanted. It was not what I was aiming for, but it is something that suits us all now we are there.

He is beginning to make attempts to roll over, but of course, to learn this skill, he needs time to practice. Time to be on the floor, without believing the world has ended. Time to be on the floor without being pounced on by his well-intentioned (but not so gentle) toddler brother. He will get there, all too soon.

It seems hard to believe that this time last year I was waiting (im)patiently to find out if our attempts to conceive the little dude had been successful, and now, here he is, making our lives richer every day. Time flies when you are having fun/a zombie/so busy you don't know what day it is {delete as applicable}

George is 2. Two.
Sometimes it is terrible and sometimes it is the most wonderful thing in the world. George has struggled more than any of us with adapting to Oscar's arrival and despite adoring his little brother, he does not adore having to share his parents with someone who can scream louder and whose needs tend to get met first. Despite trying to ensure that George still gets plenty of one-one-one time with his Mama, I feel he still has some accepting to do of our new normal.

He continues to make us laugh every day, whether deliberately or entirely accidentally. He tells us he is "making water", during his potty-time, and loves wearing his Fireman Sam helmet constantly, telling us that he "needs it" and is sad without it. He's a bundle of

energy, and incredibly spirited, but life is far too quiet when he isn't around! In early January he starts pre-school two morning a week. I'm bound to cry the first time I leave him with strangers but I know its just another step along that road to letting him find his wings.

Lily turned 7 this October, and this has seemed more shocking than any other birthday for any of the children over the last few years. She has done a lot of growing up this past year, and yet I still cannot believe that she is getting so big!

Lily has always loved little children, but lately I have seen the sweet, patient and nurturing side to her grow even more. She is so confident with Oscar, and loves to be 'Mama's little helper'. She is going to be an awesome Mummy one day, she really is.

We're going through the gappy stage with her at the moment, where one by one, her teeth are beginning to fall out. First came her bottom front teeth, and now her top front two are decidedly wobbly. I'll be surprised if by the end of today she hasn't lost another one of them. Despite this, she is still just gorgeous to me. Every day I marvel at how hubby and I managed to create such a pretty little girl.

{stop...for a pause in the gushing...i'm almost making myself a little nauseous!)

And dear Harry. Being the biggest brother has come at a price for him lately, and some days he is just plain fed up of not being able to put something down and find it in the same place when he returns. He has always been a placid, easy-going boy, but he is certainly learning to voice his frustrations when the situation warrants it. This pleases me. There was a time that I worried that he would not be able to stand up for himself if he needed to, but that is absolutely no longer a fear! I am glad that he has found his voice.

Otherwise, he continues to be a wonderful student, a thoughtful and sensitive soul, and my friend as well as my son. He has reached the age where we can watch programmes that we both enjoy, together. I love that I am able to spend quality time curled up on the sofa, with him and snacks, and that we can have an almost grown-up discussion. Amazing. How have almost-10 years slipped by since he was born.

And so, as 2010 draws so a close, I know that whilst our life right now may not be organised, or always easy, we are having the most amount of fun. One day, my monsters will be grown, and I will ache for those days where my arms were full, my house was noisy, and I was watching another flippin' episode of Fireman Sam.

May you have a wonderful New Year, and 2011 be all you dream that it can be.

Something Cheeky? - A review

2010-12-31T08:02:00.000-08:00

Even once I had got my head wrapped around cloth nappies, I was reluctant to delve into the world of cloth wipes.

It was admittedly an irrational fear. I had already conquered poop on cloth, and it didn't kill me! In fact, my continued use of disposable wipes actually added an un-necessary step in my nappy changing routine, in that I still needed to bag up poopy wipes and throw them in the dustbin, in addition to tossing the dirty reusable nappy in the bathroom pail.

In the end, however, it wasn't convenience or cost or even eco-friendliness that made me switch to cloth wipes, as seems to be the case with most people. It was, in fact, nappy rash that I am almost certain was caused by our disposable wet-wipes. During a flare-up, we'd revert to cotton wool and water, and the rash would disappear, as soon as we returned to the 'convenient' sposie wipes, back the rash would come. It was a frustrating cycle, that led to a trip to the doctors with an infected bot. *sigh*

One of my fellow September Mummy's suggested Cheeky Wipes after success with their own little one and I was more than happy to give them a try. Cheeky wipes were stocked at my beloved Cheeks and Cherries online stockist and so it was easy to throw them in my 'basket' along with another cloth nappy, at my next visit.

I opted for the 'Cheeky Monkey mini- kit', designed for those already using a cloth nappy system and that therefore do not require a place to store dirty wipes before they are washed. The kit came with 25 15cm x 15cm washable cotton wipes made from terry towelling, a storage container, a 10ml bottle of the Fresh Wipes oil blend (lavender and chamomile) and the most gorgeous Monkey-foot wet bag.

The instructions that accompanied the kit made getting started simple. Add 2cm of water to the empty container, add a couple of drops of the essential oil, pop the wipes in the container, turn the wipes over once, and give them a little squeeze to saturate them. Done. (Even my husband could do it *wink*)

When it came to putting the wipes to the test, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they worked. To be honest, I was hoping to see a change in Oscar's rash, and that alone would have put a big smile on my face, but when it came down to it, I found that it actually also made changing dirty nappies easier, and less dirty. The texture of the cloth is not, by any means rough, but it does have a slightly abrasive quality, which means rather than smearing the contents of the nappy around baby's bot and thus needing several wipes, the wipes actually cling to the poop and remove it efficiently. We moved on to try them on our toddler, George (now 2.5yrs), and on even the muckiest nappy, we did not need to use more than TWO wipes!

The stubborn rash that we had been dealing with in Oscar, subsided quickly and has not returned, at all! I put this down to the lavendar and chamomile oil, as lavender and chamomile aid in soothing sore skin, and have anti-fungal properties.

The container is large, and closes with a snap on each side. It is easy to open one handed with a little practice, but a little harder to close. My only wish for these, would be that a fill line be added to the inside of the container, so the appropriate amount of water could be added.

The Monkey-Foot wet-bag (oh my the wet bag), is gorgeous. I chose the spa damask print, as pictured above, and it is every bit as lovely in real life. Aside from its gorgeousness, it also fulfils its function perfectly and makes traveling with cheeky wipes easy. The bag is lined with waterproof fabric, and the stitching is sealed so that wet cannot wick through the holes. Simply pinch a few wipes from the plastic container and store in the bag when out-and-about, once used, throw into your dirty wet bag that you will already be using for your cloth nappies. Simple!

I can honestly, not find fault with these wipes at all, and am adament that we will never return to disposable wipes. I only wish I had found these earlier!

If you have any questions about the wipes, please do ask. I would love for others to fall in love with these wipes as we have.

* I did not receive this product free to review.

Parenting Obsessions!

2010-10-27T04:02:00.000-07:00

As a parent I wouldn't usually put myself in the category of "neurotic" but it seems that since giving birth to Oscar I am obsessing about things that never would have bothered me in the past! (thanks dude!)

As a young(ish) Mama to a large(ish) family I know that in some ways I am judged more harshly than parents of one or two children. If my two year old throws a wobbly in the supermarket or my newborn is screaming, I truly feel the eyes boring into the back of my head. I have become convinced that if my children do not look well put together or behave impeccably that passers by will be tutting and asking themselves why we would continue to have more children since clearly we struggle to maintain and discipline them.

It is almost like parents with one child in melt down are sympathised with, but the same is not the case if you choose to increase your family further.

See.... Neuroticism! (and possibly a dollop of paranoia!)

This has led me to almost obsessively preening the poor kids when we are out and about. I smoothe down collars, pull up crinkled tights and readjust hemlines every 5 minutes. I
maniacally scrub dirty faces and wipe running noses. I am driving myself and poor hubby,
insane!

So that is where I am at as a mother of four! Tell me it gets easier?!? :-)

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Lansin-ohhhhhhh Nipple Cream (Reviews)

2010-10-21T04:22:00.000-07:00

If you thought that the booby-talk was over, I'm sorry...there is more to come!
Non breast related entries to resume shortly, I promise (maybe)

I was lucky enough to be sent some lansinoh products to try out a couple of weeks ago.
Now once upon a time, BC (before children), I would never have imagined that I would get quite so excited about breast pads, breast-milk bottles and nipple cream, but honestly....I just about "squeeeed" when I received this box of goodies!

And now I'm beginning to use them, I thought I would let you all know how I got on, my unbiased opinion of these freebies. Sharing is goooood.

Soooo. Starting with Lansinoh lanolin nipple cream! This is the product that in my opinion Lansinoh are best known for. Their "skin in a tube", their "miracle cure for cracked, sore nipples".

My first thoughts on looking at the packaging, were that the tube was HUGE! I would need to have nipples the size of hubcaps or be Michelle Duggar to fully use this whole tube of product. It is definitely generously sized!

So I decided to jump straight in and try the contents out for myself. Despite lots of advice on latch and positioning, Oscar seems to find one side much easier to feed from than the other, leaving one nipple with some minor soreness, particularly for the first minute-or-so of feeding. I'd been battling on (aren't I a trooper!), but hoped that the cream would do something to alleviate the discomfort.

Upon squeezing the tube....and squeezing some more, I found the product to be waxy and of a very thick consistency, so thick that initially I had some trouble getting the cream through the nozzle! I found that warming the tube between both hands really helped with getting the cream out. No muscles required!

I used the cream sparingly over my poor affected nipple immediately and reapplied after each feed on the trial day. The warmth of the skin made the product easy to apply and I was pleased to learn that I didn't need to remove the cream before feeding Oscar, BIG bonus! Rinsing nipples before each feed would have been a real nuisance, and the sort of palava that you don't need to be worrying about whilst juggling a screaming hungry baby. I was also pleased that Oscar didn't seem to notice the residual presence of the cream at all.

By the last feed of the day, there was a definite improvement in the soreness I felt upon Oscar latching. To be honest, I hadn't expected such an immediate positive result.

If I had one slightly negative comment to make, WAIT ...let's call it a suggestion to Lansinoh, it would be to consider manufacturing a tube half the size, and half the price! (currently RRP is around £10 for a 50g ish tube). Nipple soreness should be a short-term issue during the early days of breastfeeding, assuming that latch and positioning are also being addressed. In my opinion, I'm not sure the size of the tube is really warranted. That being said...I've heard that the cream can also be used on dry skin, on elbows, knees, feet etc...and so perhaps that tube will come into its own over the winter months for more than just nipples!

Bottom line - the nipple cream gets the thumbs up.

A note though, that it is really important for users to get some help on latch and positioning too. Getting to the root of the cause of your soreness is more important long-term than just dealing with the symptom. In the meantime, Lansinoh nipple cream will get you through another day!

Teeny(Weeny) Fit

2010-10-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

Do you remember my cloth nappying NIGHTMARE with George? No? Well this might refresh your memory.

It was a Flip'in nightmare (pun absolutely intended)

George leaked through every nappy and when I say leaking, I don't just mean a little wicking around the legs, I mean full-on floor puddles. Despite loving the fluffy bum, I could not deal with the constant scrubbing of carpet and mopping of laminate. Seriously....the boy left a snail-trail wherever he went!My nappy guru (seriously...they exist and are like angels of the cloth community) had told me that it was most likely that George was ready for potty training and that was why we failed so blatently, however...I was still very unsure about trying again with the littlest guy.

Well! I am thrilled to say that my patience has been rewarded. Hurrah. Oscar is a cloth nappying JOY!

Since the end of week 1 we've been using cloth during day-time hours and it has been a huge success. My faith in real nappies has been restored and I couldn't help but mark this celebration with an undeniably adorable photo of Oscar in his Tots Bots Teenyfit.
I'll review this nappy soon for those that are interested.

(P.s - 'Gotta love water soluble breastmilk poop!)

Dressing the Girls

2010-10-07T04:15:00.000-07:00

Oscar is just over a month old now, and I can honestly say, the little chap is a boob man without doubt. My toddler George now innocently refers to my chest as "Oscar's milkies". I think that just about says it all. {insert chuckle}

And whilst I am enjoying nourishing my child the way nature intended, it has not been without its challenges. Now I could talk about the cracked, bleeding, sore nipples and share the joy that is the over-active let down, but hmmm....would you really want to read about that?

Lets talk about another challenge for now. Wardrobe.

I'm am realising that if I don't think carefully about what I plan to cover the "girls" with, I can easily look like I should be waiting tables at "Hooters", with boobage spilling out of every possible outlet or on the other end of the scale, like I've been swallowed alive by a Muumuu. And since most of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe did not account for the new bowling-balls on my chest, I am at rather a loss.

Then of course, there is the post-feed wonkiness to contend with, with one side looking decidely deflated, only further accentuating my two new b(r)est friends.
So, I've reluctantly become the "Cardigan Queen" of the South East. (Just call me Pauline Fowler Mark II). Whilst its hardly high fashion, I'm saving everyones blushes.

Yet through the dressing challenges I am also reminded of three things:
1) A big chest serves to make everything beneath it look significantly smaller. Hurrah to a deceptively small stomach.
2) The "spaniels ears" will be back before long. Enjoying them whilst they last should be mandatory.

and most importantly:
3) I am giving Oscar the very best that Mummy has to offer. And surely that is more than worth a few shopping headaches.

Learning All About Oscar

2010-09-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

So, life as a Mother of four seems to be a perpetual swing between perfect blissl and intimidating chaos.

Whilst I adore my little bundle of joy, I would be lying if I said that he didn't throw up (ha! interesting choice of wordage) a few new challenges for the family.

We are learning though - learning together, all of us. We're only just beginning to understand what really makes Oscar tick, but in the last three weeks since his arrival I have learned that he is absolutely not a fan of his swing...or his Moses basket....or his crib... or in fact, anywhere that involves being put down (can we say high maintenance?). I've learned that he passionately hates getting the hiccups. I know that cold wet wipes make him wail like a banshee, and that bath-time is not tolerated well....even with the addition of bubbles and a rubber duck.

On the up-side, I can testify that he adores being swaddled tightly, and loves to fall asleep with his stomach against mine, his soft little head resting on my chest. Booby juice gives him wind, and along with it the the-most-heart-melting gummy grins. I know that he already knows me. His eyes follow me, and he looks deep into my soul, and I wonder just what he is learning about me!

Whilst Mummy and Daddy could definitely use a little more sleep, the little guy is thriving.
I'm in love with myhandsome Prince and finding new ways every day to juggle his needs with the needs of my other three wonderful munchkins.

Life may be a little crazy for a while, but it's my kind of crazy. :)

Kimmy's Newest Prince!

2010-09-19T09:03:00.001-07:00

He is here!

My gorgeous, brand new little boy slid into my world on September 2nd 2010, weighing a teeny 6lb 12oz, and he immediately stole my heart.

The home water birth thing didn't quite work out - so instead we had a frenzied, frantic 1hr 2 minutes hospital delivery. Super quick and super intense (reason # 794 why Kimmy is closing the baby-making factory for good!) .

We have spent the last two weeks enjoying our "babymoon", just feeding, bonding and figuring each other out. He looks at me with his head tilted to one side, like he's trying to place an old friend. He knows me....he knows my voice, he knows the sound of my heartbeat, but my face is new.

I feel like he was meant for me. He is the missing piece that I have been waiting for. He is my much-wanted and dreamed of fourth little bundle, and I never thought I'd say it, but my family feels complete now he is in it.

Oscar Alexander - You are so loved.

Pink OR Blue?

2010-08-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

Before I had children, I always thought I would be a Mama to girls. Just girls.
After all, that is what happened to my Grandmother and my mother - and that's how biology works. Right?

You see.....I'm an indoor girl. I don't like being wet, or cold and I definitely do not like mud. Oh...and I hate spiders and moths and hmm, well let's just cover insects in general. I don't understand sports, or the need to take reading material into the bathroom. Instead I love having pretty nails, enjoying hair appointments, reading trashy romance novels (just not in the bathroom) and trawling shopping centres for endless hours.

I thought I was made to mother little pink, frilly, frothy people. Little people that I could identify with and wouldn't expect me to build wormeries and take them camping.

Giving birth to my firstborn, Harry, the bonding process was not instant. I'd been so very focused on having a daughter and braiding her hair and helping her choose her wedding dress... I had our whole relationship planned within hours of conception. I honestly don't think that the concept of parenting a boy had really ever fully crossed my mind.

Now, as a proud Mama of three, (with one gorgeous girl and two handsome princes), I realise that whilst boys and girls are different, it is truly their personalities and not their gender that matters most! The relationship I hold with each of my munchkins is unique and special and relates little to the presence or lack of Y chromosome!

Take two year old George for example. He is my "cuddler". Whilst it may be easy to conclude that he is the youngest and therefore rightly requires more physical contact, my other two infants needed their own personal space from the minute they could wriggle themselves from my lap. George however, loves nothing more than nuzzling into my chest, or laying across my enormously pregnant stomach. He is my most affectionate.

Lily, almost 7, is my beautiful contradiction. She refuses to be pegged or labelled, she loves manicures and collecting rocks. She always has scraped knees from riding her bike or climbing trees, and she chooses to cover her boo-boos with sparkly plasters.

Harry? Well... the bond with my first born could not be stronger. He is warm and loving and thoughtful. He watches trashy reality TV with me and pretends to like my cooking. And whilst he may like sports, it isn't the end of the world ;-)

There are many family members that have expressed a definite preference for the gender of our fourth little person. I can honestly say, I'm just anxious for a safe arrival. There is a special relationship just waiting to begin and I can't wait!

(If however, I could go another 10 years without climbing into a tent.....that would be pretty awesome too!)

Introducing....

2010-08-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

.... the alien!

Pretty cute, don't you think?

Whilst it has been several weeks since the 3D scan (...and several weeks since I've written...but let's not go there), I find myself spending significant chunks of time just staring at the images we were given at our appointment.

Despite my reservations, it really was a magical experience. The "alien" really didn't look alien like, and in fact bears such a resemblence to his/her brother that it brought me close to tears watching the little one wriggling and jiggling on the screen.

It is now just two short (ha!) weeks until we'll hopefully be meeting this little one in person and I just can not wait!

4D Scanning - Creepy or Cool?

2010-06-20T00:17:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to booking my 4D scan! (Meh...I'm a procrastinator these days)

The little person jabbing both my ribs and cervix simultaneously, reminded me daily for the last week that there is quickly becoming very little room in there. So I knew that I needed to get booked in pronto if I was sure it was something I really wanted, otherwise no-one would be getting a very good look!

I've been through three wonderful pregnancies and yet this will be my first 4D scan. Mmhmm.

Why the change of heart you ask?

Well honestly, until recently I thought they were quite strange. *Nods*
I couldn't be convinced that most of the photos looked even slightly baby-like, and the real-time moving images looked decidedly alien-esque. I had always felt a little uneasy gazing at a 4D scan photo shared kindly with me by a proud Mama, it was real effort to gush at the image and comment convincingly on how "real" her offspring looked!

So really, there is a rather more serious reason for choosing to go ahead with 4D imaging in this pregnancy. I was in the room when my sister was scanned late in her last pregnancy and I was also present when she received a phone call from the clinic explaining some unexpected findings. My gorgeous niece was to be born with a facial abnormality that was a key clinical marker for a rare genetic condition. If it had not been for the 4D scan, the key preparations made for little Olivia's arrival would not have been completed.

Yes....it changed my view. It opened my eyes to the fact that even a non-medical, non-routine "bonding" scan, can pick up something unexpected. I'm not good with surprises - I like to know all I can about everything. Why would I turn down this opportunity?

I'm not sure what to expect.
I'm not even convinced that I'll find it more of a bonding experience than my regular 2D scans. They were pretty special. What I can be sure of is that I will leave knowing that I have taken another valuable opportunity to take a peek at my little-person, and check that he or she is doing ok.

Bring on the alien!

Mummmmy LOOOOOOSERRR

2010-06-06T05:12:00.000-07:00

There are days that I feel like a Grade F, Mummy LOOSERRRR!
We all have those, right?

Don't worry, I'm not going to yammer on more about the cloth nappies. Not right now, anyway. Let's just say, they're taking a holiday, somewhere warm and out-of-my-sight (otherwise known as the airing cupboard). We'll try again with "bump"...maybe...

Right now, I have other things to concern myself with! Like organising George's second birthday party. *Nods*
I'm so far behind!

My fabulous July '08 Mummy friends seem to have been prepared since for ev-er for the upcoming events of the next 8 weeks. Some have made glittery birthday cards and submitted them to be shown on the kids TV channel of their choosing. Some of them have even chosen a theme and purchased complimentary plates, cups, decorations and pinatas.

Moi?
I am yet to pick a date OR choose a location.

As time marches on, I realise that if I don't get my rear in gear shortly there is a real chance that George will end up 2 and partyless. And whilst clearly there are worse toddler afflictions, I don't want "The Mummies" and their offspring pitying poor George for his "Subsequent Child Syndrome"

*Nods*
So I'm officially getting a wiggle on today. George....you will not be the talk of the town!

"Hor-Moans"

2010-05-27T05:14:00.001-07:00

It happened! I've turned into a hormonal, screaming, snivelling pile of mess.

Someone up there clearly thinks that pregnant chicks don't have enough to deal with. The stretching, the swelling, the aching, the vomiting and the indigestion (to name just a few ailments) clearly aren't quite enough.

I've now also been cursed with zero patience, zero tolerance and an inability to watch 99% of television without sobbing like a maniac.
(Dear Grey's Anatomy - You killed me!)

The joys!

It really is a good job that this pregnancy lark is worth it in the end. If the prize wasn't so wonderful I can't imagine any of us girls making it through the long 9 months without the help of padded walls and straight-jackets!

This week, just a couple of minor things have tipped me over my metaphorical edge.

George has suddenly learned the concept of "free-will", and has taken great pleasure in demonstrating his new-found knowledge at every available opportunity. Just general little-person disobedience really,....throwing, scribbling, breaking, screaming etc. Apparently Mama just can't deal with it right now.

Honestly....? The real nappies, haven't helped. Whilst I've been so excited seeing George's little cloth bottom, the high has generally been short-lived. We're yet to find a solution that ticks all the boxes and works with our little guy! I've joked that perhaps he's actually a camel *nods*, I've never known a human child be able to hold so much liquid and pee so much in one go! We'll get there, but the constant clothing and bedding changes are making my head spin.

Realising we're out of toothpaste? Losing my favourite maternity shirt? Smudging my nail-varnish? *nods* All tiny mole-hills that this pregnant Mama can turn into a mountain!

My reactions are anything but normal these days. My Jekyll and Hyde persona means that hubby and the older munchkins normally give me a wide-berth. I'm anything but predictable.... but hey, at least life isn't dull! :-)

Dear readers, please send some sympathy to my family....and remind them that they (only) have another 3 months of crazy to get through!

Adventures in Cloth - Testing Day One (Flips)

2010-05-22T23:59:00.001-07:00

Well....the day finally arrived!

Saturday! The day that I planned to dive head-first into the world of real nappies.

(Hmm.....on second thoughts, perhaps diving and head first are not the best words to use under the circumstances....but whatever....)

Moving on...

First of all, let me say, the nappy and inserts didn't have an easy time of it. Choosing the hottest day of the year meant they were challenged by a juice guzzling baby, lots of pee and lots of poop!

It's also a good time to remind all that I'm a total cloth newbie, so possibly....maybe....the nappy and inserts were also dealing with a little user incompetence!

The nappies chosen for testing, were the birth to potty (BTP) "Flip nappy system", to be trialled with the stay-dry insert, organic insert and disposable insert and the "Tots Bots Bamboozle Stretch" (Size 2) with BTP "bambinex wrap".

Yesterday, we concentrated on the Flip.

The first thing I will say, is that the Flip shell, in person, looks and feels much nicer than it does on the www. I had feared, that particularly the wipe-clean inner looked very cheap and plasticy, but in reality, the Flip was made from very soft PUL and felt to be of good quality. The snapper tabs had a very reassuring stretch to them and although the three rows of rise snaps looked at first to be overwhelming for a novice, they made perfect sense within seconds.

We started with the organic insert. The first photo shown in this entry of George (disgustingly close to the TV) shows the fit using this insert. Very trim, I think you'll agree!

I was incredibly impressed by how slim-fitting the nappy looked. I had expected a little extra bulk than you would get using 'sposies, but in reality, there was little difference.

I obsessively checked for signs of leakage every 30 minutes, until aproximately 2.5hrs after the initial nappy change, and then shock horror, the very first poop!

The insert was wet-through, but there were no signs of leakage what-so-ever. I would imagine that we could easily have made it 3 hours + if it hadn't been for the poop (which was entirely contained to the insert) Admittedly, seeing the insert so wet, and George's skin a little damp was quite alien! Being used to disposables meant that seeing any real moisture was very new. George had showed no signs of discomfort though and this was a positive sign!

I have to say (yay me), I handled the poop like a pro! I just scooped it away from the insert, using paper-towel, and threw it into the toilet. Easy-peasy! A quick wipe-down of the shell and we were ready for round-two!

I would definitely, in the future, consider having two Flip shells/covers on the go at once though. Although they don't need changing at every nappy change (and could easily be used all day), I feel that having a second shell "ready-to-go", and alternating between the two throughout the day would make life a little easier, and save having a naked toddler streaking through the house whilst trying to handle the initial nappy contents!!

Following semi-success with the organic inserts we decided to take a trip out of the house and so we chose to try the disposable inserts with the Flip shell. Honestly....I'm not sure what went wrong, but for us, these were a total failure.

Within 2 hours, George's clothes were visibly damp. The insert had bunched into the centre of the nappy shell and just....not good. Both legs were very wet, and the shell was saturated.
N.B - I've since read that when using the disposable insert, the snappers should be a little tighter...maybe we'll try this next time. Not a good first experience though.

I instantly reached for the Pampers, and decided we would try again tomorrow but it actually saddened me a little to see George's little rear back in 'sposies. I actually feel more determined to make this work than I thought I ever would. Even hubby has made positive noises (albeit mainly grunts) about the Flips!

All in all, the organic insert receives the thumbs-up, I'd like to really put it through its paces though with a longer trial. The Flip shell has lots of great points, particularly for such a fab fit. I could easily be convinced that this is the system for us if the stay-dry inserts also perform well.

Time will tell :-) (and of course I will share!)
So tell me What are you using currently on your babies? Any cloth Mama's out there willing to share the secrets of their success?

This review has been updated here based on experience with a newborn. Check it out.

(coming next time, the stay-dry insert for the Flip, and the Tots Bots Stretch/Bambinex wrap combo)

Slightly Less Soggy

2010-05-09T01:34:00.000-07:00

When I had my first child I saw myself as the complete antithesis of a "crunchy" parent.
I'm not a fan of labels, but if I were going to stick one on myself, I'd have firmly adhered a "soggy" (and maybe slightly selfish *gasp*) badge.

I didn't subscribe to attachment parenting views.
Example #1 was probably begging the hospital midwife to take my son away somewhere...anywhere.....so I could sleep.
Example # 2 was putting him in his own room from Day 1 and firmly closing the door. Seriously, the child was just sooooo noisy!

Co-sleeping? Pah. Breasfeeding? Ummmm - ouch!
Babywearing? Surely the pram was invented for a reason. And so on and so forth....

When I had my second child, I admittedly viewed the world slightly differently. After months and months of cradling my firstborn, a colicky red-faced screaming baby I would have done anything, including sacrifice my nipples, for a non-gassy second infant. And so my breastfeeding journey began. Little did I know that the self-preservation attitude would actually lead me to something that I actually *shock-horror* enjoyed.

I watched my daughter turn from a teeny-tiny, scrawny bird-like creature into a chubby, buddha like baby. I rejoiced in her happiness and contentment and my heart swelled to see her thriving. The bond I felt was immeasurable. I was doing something for her that no other person could, and that notion filled me with pride.Fast forward 4.5 years to baby # 3 and my parenting attitude had definitely changed radically.

Little George gave me my first insight into baby-wearing. We both loved it instantly. Feeling him nuzzled into my chest, heavy with sleep, as I went about my normal daily activities was great. Maneouvering ourselves around DisneyLand without a pushchair......ah sheer sweet bliss! Babywearing....DONE and converted.

So this time with baby # 4, I started looking to what else I could learn, that would benefit my infant and enrich my parenting style. Ladies and Gentleman.....cloth nappies are my destiny!
Yup...you heard it here first (maybe...unless you have me on facebook where I've been yabbering on about it for a while!)

Yup....these days I'm slightly less soggy. (Just keep the munchkins out of my bed!)

Old but Relevant News!

2010-05-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

Well I guess since we have been parted a while I should probably catch you guys up. That would just be the fair and right thing to do.

*polishes halo and flutters wings*

So flashback to January and picture this.... I'm stood, squeezing myself and my muffin top into my skinny jeans, my waistband squealing in disgust. I'm cursing my festive over-indulgence in turkey and after dinner mints.

I have a bathroom waste-bin full of negative pregnancy tests, but yet something spurs me to take just.one.more.

I'm a self-obsessed stick pee-er. *Nods*

Now ladies - if you've ever used one of these new-fangled digital pregnancy tests, you'll feel my pain on this... they taunt you. Honestly they truly do. With those old-fashioned strip tests, or even the dot/line testers, you're able to watch it changing, obsessing about every tiny possible speck of moving colour. With the digi-tests however, you're in three minute hell. Mmmhmmm.

The flipping egg timer spins and twirls annoyingly for what seems like an eternity. You'll shake it, you'll stare intently at it, you'll close your eyes and open them, trying to surprise it into revealing its result. But no...the stupid egg timer continues...and continues.

I actually let out a little squeal when it finally happened. The announcement.
The little secret that at that moment only existed between the stick and I. Baby # 4, most certainly the final little one for hubby and I, was coming and 2010 suddenly held a whole new sense of anticipation!

So I relegated the skinny jeans (and the slightly less skinny jeans) to the back of the wardrobe and haven't looked back. I'm growing a person and couldn't be more thrilled about it!

Juggling is NOT my thing.

2009-08-13T01:32:00.001-07:00

So, I suck at juggling.

Both the literal kind and the analagous kind.

When life is calm and nothing out of the ordinary is going on, it's a piece of cake. Hubby and I now have scheduling of "normal" life down to a fine art. Only problem is, rarely is life normal.

When one area of my life needs lots and lots of attention, something has to give, and automatically other things slide. I'm not super-woman - although y'know, I kind of like the whole cape idea (admittedly with a little less lycra)

Right now, work is acting out. As much as I aim in every way to put my family first, there is no ignoring (much as I have tried) the fact that I have a career, and one that demands (louder and louder) my attention too.

At home I have hubby, who is very good at picking up my slack when times at work get hard. At work, there is no-one helpfully suggesting that they write my presentations, negotiate my budgets, and spend (stupid) hours (of the flipping night) speaking to colleagues in other timezones. My job, is my job. If it doesn't get done..... I'm sure I'm not irreplacable (much as I'd like to disagree with that notion)

So next week from Wednesday I will be here, another soul-less hotel (although this one at least has a nice view of the Hudson...let's hope no planes go down).
I've had little time to actually focus on the fact that I will be away from my family for 6 long days - this week has been spent red-eyed and screaming under piles of To-Do's, and finalising the presentations I will make. It's been distracting, but frustratingly, has only taken me away from my family for even longer.

The silver lining in my little grey cloud is that my dear husband has managed to make me feel a million dollars in between all of the stress and frustration. I came home last night to a gorgeous bunch of flowers and the biggest open arms. It made everything else melt away in insignificance.

So if you don't hear from me for a while, fear not....I'll be back (unless it really is possible to spontaneously combust from stress), and the way things currently are on the home-front, I'll be a significantly happier camper

:-)