Max & Me

Bath Time Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 03:10:00 +0000

*This post is sponsored by Nuffnang & JOHNSON’S® *

One of the things we are lucky enough to have at our house is a really big bath tub. Which is a great thing now that we have three boys to bath each night! Max, Lincoln and Elliot absolutely love bath time, and I love seeing all the fun they have together in there. Some of their best bonding moments are when they are all sitting there trying to out-splash each other!

For me, bath time is about so much more than just a way to get them clean, it’s something I try to make as much fun as possible. We have a little machine that sits on the side of the tub that blows bubbles and plays music. We sometimes have mega-baths where we fill the tub with as many bubbles and as much water as we possibly can. Other times (normally in summer!) I add multi-coloured ice cubes into the water that they love to chase around!

Right from when Elliot was a new baby he has joined in on family bath time. At first (when he was still really little) it would be quiet & calming bath time first, so that Elliot felt safe. Then once I took him out, the older boys would get to have their usual crazy fun! Now that Elliot is almost one, the fun starts for all of them the minute they get in. Elliot is a champion splasher and can definitely hold his own with the big boys!

I’ve always loved bath time with the boys and always made sure they were having fun, but I actually had no idea that I was also giving them so much more than just a fun way to get clean. Research has revealed that routine touch and massage by a parents or loving caregivers (like the amazing grandparents my kids are lucky to have) is so important to our babies’ growth and development, communication and learning. JOHNSON’S® is at the forefront, highlighting the importance of daily rituals that help you to stimulate your baby’s senses and nurture their developing minds. They’re also paving the way by advancing research that reveals the importance of multi-sensorial experiences that can lead to happy, healthy baby development. And like I said I thought I was just letting them have fun whilst getting clean!!

If I think about it though, it’s pretty obvious how much of an important thing touch is in our children’s lives. The way they adore being tickled at any opportunity, how rubbing their backs when they are sleepy is a guaranteed way to relax them, the way they reach out and hold each others’ hands in the back of the car and how any nightmare (no matter how frightening) can be fixed by climbing into our bed for midnight snuggles.

Another hugely important factor in a baby’s development is scent and the effects that it can have on their mood. My first experience with JOHNSON’S® products (as an adult) was the day after Max was born. Our midwife came in to show us how to bath our brand new baby. After she’d filled the baby bath up, she swirled some JOHNSON’S® Top to Toe into the water and from that very moment it became my go to bath product. Every single time I use it, it takes me straight back to when I first became a mum. Babies start being able to smell from well before they are born (about 28 weeks!), so as I bathed my older boys each night, the little ones in my belly were becoming familiar with the subtle, calming smell of Top to Toe. I’m sure they recognised it once they were born because bath times have always been such a calming experience for them.

JOHNSON’S® is one of those companies that is part of our history and will definitely become part of our future. My mum used their beautiful, gentle products for my sister and me when we were little, I now use them for my kids and hopefully my kids will use them when they have their own babies. They’ve been setting the global standard in baby skin care for more than 120 years, and I love that they are continuing to work with leading scientists to ensure their products are about so much more than just getting clean.

Sleeping Babies

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 04:28:00 +0000

Having trouble during nappy change time with a wriggly baby? Try BabyLove Nappy Pants - with no tabs to contend with, the 360-degree stretchy waist allows you to pull them up quickly and easily, so your active toddler can get back to action in no time! Request a sample.

I'm lucky. Elliot is a super easy baby. He sleeps, he eats, he smiles (a lot!) and generally has the sunniest disposition I have ever seen in a baby. He's been sleeping through the night since he was 7 weeks old, and wakes up in the morning with a big smile on his face, always happy to coo and play with his feet until I'm ready to get out of bed. I am very lucky.

But with that luck comes guilt. Whenever someone asks how he's sleeping I actually feel bad about answering honestly. Especially when the person I'm talking to is a sleep deprived new mum. So today I want to share a post that I originally wrote back when Lincoln was around 7 months old.

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Lincoln is now 7 months old and still waking to feed 3 times a night. Nine times out of ten the reaction I get when I tell people this is shock and horror.

But is it really that uncommon for babies to still wake in the night at 7 months?

I've been given lots of advice, everyone from my real life and online friends (who's advice is always appreciated), to my hairdresser, beautician, shop assistants, the ladies at the post office, childless men (always my fave...) and complete strangers.

Most of the advice we've happily ignored - like starting solids early (this has been suggested to me by at least a dozen people starting when he was only 4 weeks old), supplementing his night feeds with formula (I have no problems with formula, Max drank it from 5 months but a lack of milk is not the problem), even adding a few drops of rum to a bottle for him, or ignoring him outright when he cries during the night.

Some of it we've tried - waking him up to feed at 10pm before I go to bed, giving him solids at 6 months, moving him into his own room (which we did a couple of days ago) and picking him up when he cries, hugging him and then putting him back down.

It doesn't matter what we do he still wakes up in the night and wants to be fed.

The thing is, I'm totally ok with it. Sure I complain sometimes, especially after a night where he's decided to feed five times, but generally I don't mind.

I love breastfeeding Lincoln and those night feeds are so special to me. It's just me and him. During those feeds I am the only thing in the entire world that matters to him. And there is something so amazingly wonderful about that.

So next time someone asks me if he's sleeping through yet, I'm not going to let them offer me any more advice. I'll let them know that he doesn't sleep through the night, but that I don't mind at all. I'm sure he'll do it when he's ready.

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My reason for sharing this is that I want to point out to those mum's with newborns that it's ok. Whether your baby is sleeping through now, or still waking regularly (and even if he continues to do so until he's 14 months old like Lincoln did), you will be ok. We humans (and especially us Mums!!) have the amazing ability to cope with whatever comes our way. So relax, enjoy the little moments and know that you can handle anything your baby throws at you.

This post is part of a Nuffnang native advertising series.

A Golden Nursery

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:51:00 +0000

I might be a little biased, but I do think that I have some very talented customers. Every time I see how someone has used one of my cushions or mobiles I get so excited. So you can imagine how I felt when I saw these images from the beautiful nursery Ailee has created for her gorgeous little girl Isla. So pretty!!

You can purchase the ivory pom mobile in my store. Head on over to Ailee's blog to see more gorgeous photos and to get the rest of the product sources.

In My Nappy Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 10:37:00 +0000

The last time I shared a post about what's in my nappy bag, I think I had a little silver pouch full of baby supplies that easily fit into my handbag. These days things are a whole lot more different! My nappy bag is huge, so huge that it could easily double as an overnighter (if you happened to be going somewhere overnight without kids, which I don't get to do for obvious reasons!).

The picture above is the pretty version of what I carry around everyday. A change of clothes for Elliot, nappies (for Link and Elliot) & wipes in my gorgeous Bella & Moo nappy clutch, hand sanitiser, nappy rash cream, a rattle given to me by Julia, my phone and purse and a couple of burp clothes (also from Bella & Moo).

Not pictured is the epic amount of extra things that I always have with me just in case. A change of clothes for Link and Max, a muslin wrap and a heavier blanket, books for Link and an iPad for Max, dummies (as many as I can find on my way out the door), a couple of bottles for Elliot, snacks, a bottle of water, a spare pair of glasses and whatever else I need on the day.

So much stuff! All absolutely essential though of course!

Tell me. Do you still carry around a big nappy bag? Or have you managed to whittle your essentials down to a purse sized pouch?

This post is part of a Nuffnang native advertising series.

Nursery Inspiration for Elliot

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 23:15:00 +0000

Little baby Elliot doesn't have his own room yet (he will stay in our room until he's about six months old), but that hasn't stopped me from planning and dreaming about what I want to do in his nursery.

If you have a look at my pinterest board you'll see that I've changed my mind quite a few times, I think I have finally settled on what I want now. My plan is to keep it quite neutral and and classic (no surprises there!!). Here's some of the images that are currently inspiring me.

I love everything that Bel from Nest Design Studio does, so it's no surprise that I am head over heels in love with the sneak peaks she's shared of Leo's new nursery. Cannot wait to see more!

Monika Hibbs is another blogger who's style I love, Liam's nursery is right at the top of my inspiration list.

I'm loving the mix of grey, white and wood tones in these rooms (from here and here).

And these nurseries from The Boo and The Boy are so gorgeously serene.

As soon as I get started on his room I'll share some progress shots!!

Switching to Nappy Pants (and a Giveaway!!)

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 23:53:00 +0000

This post is brought to you by Nuffnang and BabyLove

I've talked a lot lately about life with a new baby, but there is also another big change going on around here at the moment. At 23 months old, Lincoln is becoming more and more like a little person and much less like a baby. He's moved past walking and now likes to run everywhere, he climbs on top of anything he can find, talks in little sentences and has very strong opinions (which normally involve him yelling 'Noooo' or 'Yeee-uck' at the top of his lungs!!).

One of the biggest challenges we're having is getting him to lie still on his change table for nappy changes. When Mum and Aggie (Sean's mum) were staying with us they learnt first hand that he likes to flip over, kick your belly as hard as he can and generally try to escape at every nappy change. I recently moved his change pad off his table and onto the floor, but all it's done is give him the chance to escape even quicker!

Even though I'd been having all these nappy changing challenges I hadn't really done anything about it. I guess I was in the mindset of 'just keep wrangling the baby and get the job done'. So when BabyLove offered to send me out some Nappy Pants it was kind of like a light bulb moment. I've seen the ads on TV, but it hadn't ever clicked that maybe I should give them a go. I guess my thinking was that because he's not ready for toilet training he also wasn't ready for nappy pants.

I've been using the BabyLove Nappy Pants since the package arrived and I can't believe the difference it has been making. I've been telling Lincoln they're his 'big boy nappies' and his little face looks so proud when we do 'standing changes'!! Seriously, toddlers are hilarious!

Even with our new standing up nappy changes I still have to be super quick, his attention span is really short and at any moment he will attempt to take off in search of his next adventure. The nappy pants have tear away sides, so I basically rip them off him as quick as I can and then (thanks to the super stretchy 360 degree waist band) I help him step into the next pair and pull them straight up. A quick pat on the bum and he's good to go!

An added bonus that I've found since starting to use them is that because there are no tabs he can't unfasten them. Link's not a fan of nappy-free time, but he loves playing with the tabs on his nappies. The end result is usually his nappy falling off and him coming to my crying because he wants his nappy back on. The stretchy waist also helps prevent over zealous dads and grandparents from doing the nappy up so tight that his little belly pops out over the top.

Since switching to the nappy pants they're the only type of nappy I've needed to use, I’ve had them on him overnight and they hold up beautifully. Definitely no dreaded leaks! There is nothing worse than waking up to a toddler screaming because his favourite blanket is all wet (trust me, I've been there...). Trying to get that blanket clean and dry on a day when we have to be out and about early is a disaster.

Another thing I am absolutely loving about BabyLove is that they've made this adorable little baby soother youtube video. Now to be completely honest when I first heard about it I thought it was going to be a bit gimmicky and probably wasn't going to mention it. But I played it for Lincoln and he thought it was the funniest thing ever. He danced along with Baby Bud, laughed and clapped his chubby little hands. When it was finished he said 'more bebe mumma'!! So cute! When BabyLove tested it in Japan it soothed 96% of crying babies, I will definitely be trying it on Elliot next time I can't settle him.

More good news, I have a BabyLove Nappy Pants and Wipes package valued at more than $250 to give to one of you! To enter leave a comment below telling me about the tactics your toddlers have used to try and get away during nappy changes. All the Terms and Conditions can be found here.

In the meantime if you want to go out and buy your own pack of Nappy Pants, they're available at all the major supermarkets. They come in Toddler (9-14kg), Walker (12-17kg) & Junior (15-25kg) and can be purchased in either bulk ($16.99) or Jumbo packs ($29.99). Give them a go, if your toddler is anything like Lincoln you won't regret it! If you would like to request a sample, click here.

(Competition is now closed - congratulations Danni)

DIY Bookshelves

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 20:51:00 +0000

Ever since I finished Lincoln's nursery I have been working away on finishing Max's big boy room. I'm not quite there yet, but it's getting very, very close! I get so much satisfaction from working on Max's room because he loves seeing the little changes and gets genuinely excited that I'm making his room into something special for him.

One of the projects I've recently ticked off his list are these DIY bookshelves. For ages now I've been in love with the idea of using Ikea Ribba Ledges as bookshelves. I've seen so many gorgeous shots on Instagram showing how people have styled them into their kids rooms. The only problem I had was that the ledges came in two lengths, neither of which were perfect for the space I wanted to fill. So I bit the bullet and built some. They were super simple to make, and worked out really cost effective. The only drama I had was the time it took me to make, prep and paint them. Buying the Ikea ones would have cost about the same and been much quicker, but you do what you have to do!

As soon as I realised I was going to need to make them I searched Pinterest for some inspiration and came across this tutorial. I'm not going to rehash the details of how I made them because I pretty much followed Cindy's instructions exactly. I got them finished a couple of days before Elliot was born and then Sean installed them for me a few weeks later.

Max loves them and so do I!! Next up I'll be adding a few finishing touches to his room and then it will be all done. Can't wait to share more!

And.... We're Back!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 21:45:00 +0000

I'm just going to put it out there that self-imposed maternity leave is just about the best thing ever! I have thoroughly enjoyed having nothing to do for the last 12 weeks. Having said that, it's time for Max & Me to reopen and I couldn't be happier.

I've been busy sewing up a storm for the last couple of weeks and have filled my virtual shelves full of stock.

I've re-listed all of my favourites (like these heart cushions, pom pom mobiles and love cushions)...

As well as adding a whole lot of new goodies too (like these hanging hoops, Caitlin Wilson pillows and damask cushions).

You can head on over and check out my store on Etsy or Down That Little Lane. If you have any questions about an item or if you would like to request a custom order send me an email - tamsynriley@gmail.com.

Lincoln's Nursery

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 22:26:00 +0000

This post has been a long time coming, but I am finally sharing all the photos and details from Lincoln's sweet blue nursery. There's nothing like a new baby to make you realise all the things you haven't done yet!

Link's room is my favourite place in our house, it's so serene and calm. I think simple blue and white will always be a winner with me.

The Boori Sleigh Cot is a much loved hand-me-down from my beautiful sister. Max used it when he was a baby, Lincoln is in it now and it will eventually be Elliot's when he's ready to move out of his bassinet. The cot is made up with a stunning quilt made by my very clever mum, a 'love' and star cushion from my shop, a gorgeous Robin and Mould cloud cushion, a diy pom pom trim cushion and Lincoln's much loved blanket (that he has called nee-nee for as long as he has been able to talk!).

The felt ball rug is a custom order from etsy, I love that you can choose any colour combination you like and have it made up into a gorgeous statement piece. The whale blanket that Link has is another favourite of mine from Goo Collection and is so perfect in this room.

The ikea expedit is another hand-me-down, I originally had it in here when this was Max's room and it stayed when Link moved in. It's filled with so many things that he loves! Link has also really fallen in love with books lately and is always pulling books out and bringing them to us to read. Most days we end up sitting on the felt ball rug and reading together at least five or six times. The baskets down the bottom hold most of his toys, they're sorted by type so that we can find things easily. One for blocks, another for cars, planes etc, another for noisy toys and the last basket holds cuddly toys.

I made this cloud mobile as the room was coming together and I absolutely love how it turned out. Some of these may end up in my shop soon, stay tuned!

This little corner of Link's room is hands down my favourite! I picked the dresser up second hand from an op shop, it was originally dark brown but I knew it would be perfect as soon as I saw it. I primed it, painted it with about a million coats of paint and switched out the brass drawer pulls for silver ones.

The mobile above the table was a diy I did years ago (again it was originally for Max's room), once we had ceiling fans installed I moved it from the centre of the room to it's current location. Lincoln adores it and loves to sing twinkle twinkle with us as we change him.

The mini gallery wall is full of special pieces of art, the whale is a custom ink original by Rhi from Hummingbird's Song and the 'shine like the stars' is from another Aussie seller Billy and Scarlet.

So there we have it, at long last Lincoln's room is up on the blog!! In a couple of months I will be transforming this room into a new 'big boy' bedroom for him but this sweet blue and white space will always be a favourite of mine.

Design Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:19:00 +0000

Milka Interiors

One of the things I am loving is the amazing amount of talented interior designers that are around at the moment. Whether you are a DIYer or someone who likes to pay for a job well done, the ideas out there are endless.

Nest Design Studio

Here are a couple of inspiration boards that I've been lucky enough to be included in lately. The Gold heart cushion and gold love cushion both available in my store.

Little B Styling

Life with Three - Five Tips for Surviving the Early Days

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 22:54:00 +0000

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Six weeks in to life as a mum of three and believe it or not I'm still surviving! So far there have been a few little challenges, but it's nowhere near as overwhelming as I expected. I'd like to think that third time around I am a lot more laid back than I have been in the past and so much more willing to go with the flow.

I've put together a little list of things that I have found really helpful. Whether you're expecting your first or third (or even your seventh!) hopefully you'll find these tips useful, even if they just remind you that you're not the only one with an unsettled baby or a hyperactive toddler!

Every Baby is Different - I cannot stress this one enough, every baby is different from the last. Seems obvious right? It wasn't for me. When Lincoln was born I totally expected him to have the same needs, habits and routines as Max had. When he didn't I went into total meltdown mode. Instead of working with what he wanted, I tried and tried to get him to be like Max. And when he wasn't I cried (and screamed) and resented the fact that he wasn't a 'perfect' baby. I don't recommend taking that approach! This time around I expected Elliot to be different from Max and Link, and he definitely is. Almost every thing I'm doing with him is different and that's totally ok.

Go With Whatever Works - I am a huge advocate of doing whatever works, as long as your baby is safe I see no harm in giving them exactly what they want in the early days. Before Max was born I had a whole set of rules outlined for myself. He would always fall asleep in his own cot, I wouldn't give him a dummy, he would breastfeed for 12 months, I wouldn't spoil him by holding him to much (!!), no sugar until he was three etc etc. How totally naive was I?!! I learnt very quickly that you need to throw the rule book out the window each time you have a baby. Giving your baby what he wants is the kindest thing you can do and it also saves your sanity. Lincoln hated the swing and preferred to be put down to sleep in a dark, quiet room. Max liked to be swaddled up really tightly and loved his dummy. Lincoln refused a dummy, but learnt to self settle as soon as he was old enough to find his thumb. Elliot loves to be held and rocked, during the day he alternates between sleeping on my chest in a sling or in his Fisher Price swing. He loves noise and sleeps with a white noise app at night (which I personally love too, I have never slept better!). Lincoln woke to feed every night until he was 15 months and Max slept through the night from 12 weeks. You get the point... They all want and need different things... Just go with it!

Say YES When People Offer to Help - Any guesses what I said when help was offered with my first baby!! I thought that to be a successful parents Sean and I needed to be able to do every thing on our own. Don't get me wrong, we still had family come to stay, but I micro managed everything. The grandparents had to follow my 'parenting rules', I stressed out when the dishwasher was loaded 'wrong', I felt like a failure when they settled Max for me, I even refolded all the clean towels after my mother in law left because they weren't done 'perfectly'. I laugh about it now, but really I was so tightly strung back then. Elliot was born six weeks ago and so far I have spent a total of four days on my own with the boys. Between my mum and mother-in-law staying with us, Sean taking annual leave and us spending time up the coast with Sean's parents I have had help the entire time. And it has been the best thing ever!! For the first four weeks I didn't have to cook a single meal or even wash my own clothes. The best part was that Max and Link had lots of attention and I didn't have to worry that they were missing out because of their new baby brother. When help is offered accept it graciously!! You won't regret it.

Listen to Your Mum (and Your Mother-in-Law) - I don't quite know where I got the massive chip on my shoulder from, but first time around I was convinced that I knew better than our mums. It didn't matter that they had both successfully raised two kids each, I was sure I knew more about looking after a baby. Turns out though they both had invaluable advice and were actually quite good at looking after babies and kids. Who would have thought!! Provided you had a happy childhood I highly recommend listening to your parents :).

Enjoy Yourself - Last but certainly not least, have fun. Enjoy the little moments! Babies and kids grow up so quickly. In the blink of an eye I've gone from having one tiny little newborn to having a four year old, an almost two year old and another brand new baby. No matter what you do, time will keep on keeping on, so make the most of the little moments. Enjoy your babies, they are little bundles of joy (even when they're screaming as you try to get the perfect photo!).

This post is part of a Nuffnang native advertising series.

Elliot George Riley

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 23:29:00 +0000

If you follow me anywhere other than this (badly neglected) blog you might have heard that I had my third baby a little over a month ago. Elliot is seriously the sweetest thing ever and with his arrival I finally feel like my family is complete.

Elliot's birth was straight forward and uncomplicated, an elective c-section 3 days before my due date. He came out healthy and happy and started to feed while I was still in theatre. Just like with Max and Lincoln it was love at first sight for Sean and I, we couldn't believe how perfect he was! Towards the end of my pregnancy I was so sure that he was going to be much smaller than Lincoln and he definitely was. A tiny 7 pound 9 ounces (3.4kg). As soon as we saw him we knew he was little, but I think we were both surprised to see that he was less than 8 pounds!

Max and Lincoln came up to visit a few hours after he was born, something I was looking forward to so much. Max fell head over heels in love with him and has been amazing ever since. He loves talking to him, playing with him on his mat, tickling his little feet and singing to him when he cries. Such an amazing big brother! Elliot has started smiling back at Max in the last couple of days. My favourite thing ever!!

Lincoln still hasn't quite turned two yet and I was really nervous about how he would react to Elliot's arrival. I don't think he really understood that there was a baby on the way or even that Elliot would be coming home from the hospital with us. When he first met Elliot, Link was surprised and curious, but if got too close to the baby he would yell out 'NO'. Although once we got home he got used to Elliot very quickly. Now he likes to kiss him goodnight, says 'hello bebe', pushes him in his swing and even tries to give him a dummy when he cries. Very cute!

The first few weeks at home were absolutely blissful, my Mum and Sean's Mum took turns staying with us for the first three and a half weeks and then Sean took 3 weeks leave so he could enjoy some family time too. Having the Mums here was exactly what I needed, I took heaps of naps, did barely any housework or cooking and was super happy knowing that Max and Link were getting plenty of attention. It was the best thing in the entire world.

These last couple of weeks Elliot has been having a bit more trouble settling both during the day and at night. He went from sleeping really well and only feeding once or twice per night to staying awake from midnight to 6am and fussing a lot during the day. We've invested in a sling and a baby swing and have also started using a white noise app at night time. It seems to be working and I'm happy to just keep going with the flow and switching things up as his needs change. All in all I am so happy with all three of my boys (and my sweet husband), being a mum is the greatest thing on earth and I am very lucky to have three gorgeously healthy boys.

A Beautiful Girl's Room by Bubkess

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Wed, 21 May 2014 23:09:00 +0000

Every now and then a gorgeous new room pops up in my instagram or facebook feed and makes my heart sing. This nursery from the very talented Deborah over at Bubkess is one such room. I could be a little biased because she's included one of my gold love cushions, but I don't believe so. I genuinely think this is my favourite kids room reveal that I have seen all year!

There are a whole lot more photos of this sweet space over on the Bubkess Blog, so many gorgeous details to pour over (along with a few fun DIYs)!!

Lincoln Loves Treasures (plus a Giveaway & Nursery photos!)

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:31:00 +0000

** This post is sponsored by Nuffnang and Treasures Nappies - All opinions belong to me, and all adorable chubby thighs belong to Lincoln**

A couple of weeks back I was asked if I would try Treasures Nappies, a thirty year old, leading New Zealand brand that has just hit the shelves here in Australia. Honestly, my first reaction was to say 'thanks, but no thanks'. I tried out a few brands of nappies when Max was little, found the ones I liked and have stuck with them ever since. I didn't even bother trying anything new when Link came along, I just stayed with what I knew. Then I got to thinking, soon I will have two babies in nappies... Which means double the cost (and double the poo...). I figured now was probably as good a time as any to give it a shot.

As I heard a little more about the nappies I actually started to get excited about giving them a try. My sister told me that she used (and loved them) when she was living back home in good old NZ and I found out they come in at a lower price point than my current brand. A recommendation and the chance to save money, win win!

So here's what happened when Link and I took them for a test run.

First Up - The Acid Test
The nappies arrived just before Link's naptime, so I figured that was as good a time as any to get started. I changed Link's cute little butt into one and put him down for his nap. Two hours later I heard him calling out 'Mum, Mum, Mum, Poo Poo, Poo Poo (as he does!). By the way it kills me that he's dropped the 'Mumma' and switched to 'Mum' so young. I'm sure Max was still calling me 'Mumma' when he was three! Anyway I went in to pick him up and was hit with a wave of poo so I knew it was going to be a bad one. And it was! It was one of those explosive poos that go all the way up the back, and the front of the nappy. Not great, but a perfect chance to see what Treasures could handle. I was seriously surprised (and impressed) when there was no leakage at all. Not one tiny bit. The entire mess was completely contained in the nappy. We were off to a very good start!

Round Two - The Overnighter
Feeling confident that the nappies could handle such a big poo, I decided to put them to the overnight test. Link still isn't a great sleeper and often wakes up in the night wanting a bottle. When he does I don't change him because it gets him too alert, I just feed him and get him back into bed as quickly as possible. Good for my sanity, but it does mean a really wet nappy in the morning. The two things I was hoping for would be that the nappy wouldn't leak (obviously), but also that there wouldn't be a really strong smell. Some of the other brands I tried with Max were terrible for that. When I went in and picked Link up in the morning the Treasures passed both with flying colours, they easily contained everything and there was no nasty all night wee smell. I've used them every night since and am loving them!

Last Up - The Pants Test (aka my baby has a big butt)
Link is a little chunky, in the good way that some babies are. He has deliciously chubby thighs and a big butt to match. Once you add in a bulky nappy some pants can be a bit of a tight squeeze, especially since a lot of his clothes are hand-me-downs and Max always looked best in slim fit clothes. As soon as I put the first Treasures on him I knew they were going to be a perfect fit. I actually found them to be a lot less bulky than our usual ones and I had no problems getting his pants on to his squishy little behind. Three out of three!

So even though I started out quite skeptical and very loyal to another brand I have definitely been won over. Their quality is on-par with the more expensive brands, they're cheaper and I actually like the look and feel of them more than our previous ones. Totally convinced! Plus they're stocked at IGA stores, which is super convenient for me as we have one just down the road from us.

Click the photo to visit the Treasures Page and find out more

Now here's the extra exciting part! I have a Treasures Nappies prize pack to give away valued at over $75. All you have to do is leave a comment (and your email address) sharing a personal tip on how to keep children sleeping through the night with the hashtag #sleepingtreasures. The winner will be drawn after 5pm AEST on 9 April 2014, announced on this post and contacted by email. Don't forget to share your experience with Treasures on facebook, twitter, instagram etc using #sleepingtreasures. Let's get the word out about these great little nappies!

{Click here for the full terms and conditions of the competition.}

Three Times the Charm

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 22:53:00 +0000

So the thing is, when you neglect your blog you may also neglect to share the most important news you've had all year. You may have already seen this seeing as I did post it on instagram and facebook, but just in case you missed it...

We're expecting baby number three!!

I'm 16 weeks along now and thankfully most of the first trimester symptoms have passed. To be fair though, the pregnancy itself has been a lot easier than last time. I think it's been more about having a baby and a preschooler to look after and a growing business to run that have left me super exhausted.

In the last couple of days I've started feeling the little peanut moving around, which I love so much! Each night when I go to bed I'll just lie there for a while hoping to feel it move. Oh and when typing that I automatically wrote 'him' and had to go back and change it to 'it'. Sean and I both automatically think of this one as another little boy, it's so hard to imagine anything else! A couple more weeks and we will know for sure though :).

Thinking it's a boy hasn't stopped me from daydreaming about decorating a girls room! I have so many ideas that if it is a girl I have no idea how I would actually narrow things done to one design! I'm sure I won't have to worry about that though, and with Sherry and Katie recently sharing two very gorgeous boys rooms I'm definitely not short of inspiration for another bouncing baby boy.

Max is excited about getting another brother (he refuses to believe that it could be a girl too!), part of the excitement comes from the fact that Link won't be the baby anymore because he can't wait for Lincoln to grow up enough to play with him. He asks me all the time when Link will stop being a baby and turn into a 'real kid'. Poor little Link has absolutely no idea what's going on. He will be about 21 months when the baby arrives and I'm not sure that he will really understand until he actually sees the baby come home with us. That's probably what I'm most nervous about, Link is still my baby and I don't want him to feel replaced.

All in all everything is great over here in the Riley household and I promise I will be back sooner rather than later with another post!

25% off - 3 day sale!!

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 01:04:00 +0000

maxandmehomewares.etsy.com

http://downthatlittlelane.com.au/sellers/max-me-homewares

Super Simple Blueberry Tarts

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 22:33:00 +0000

I made these blueberry tarts for Link's party and seriously they are so easy it's almost like cheating! With the sweet, fresh blueberries combined with rich white chocolate ganache they are absolutely delicious too.

Super Simple Blueberry Tarts

- 3 punnets of blueberries

- 12 premade tart cases

- 1/3 cup of cream

- 150g of white chocolate

Break chocolate up into pieces and place in a heat proof bowl with the cream. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (making sure the water doesn't touch the base of the bowl). Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour the ganache into each of the tart cases and chill for 1 hour until the filling is firm. Add blueberries and serve. Yum!!

I hope you love these as much as we did!

Max's Dinosaur Party

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 01:31:00 +0000

This part of the year is such a busy time for us with Lincoln and Max's birthdays only two weeks apart. So when it comes to their parties I generally start planning months in advance, which means when they'e all over I get such a great feeling of satisfaction!

For Max's dinosaur party we packed everything we needed into our little car and drove three hours up the coast to Sean's parents place. Max's big request this year was to have his party at his Nona's place. A lot of our friends (and their kids) live up in Hervey Bay so it made sense to us and we granted his sweet little wish :).

Way back when I first started planning his party I came across these dinosaur cookie cutters and fell in love. I suggested a dino party to Max and was so excited when he said yes! I saved all my inspiration and ideas on Pinterest and am so happy with how it all ended up coming together. Shortly after we had everything set up and ready to go it started to rain so we had a quick relocation from the garden to the house, it was still perfect though. A fun day was had by all, especially Max who absolutely loved being the centre of attention for the day!

*** Sources ***

Invitations and Printables - Three Little Monkeys Studio on Etsy
Pom Pom Garland - Made by me
Dino Cookie Cutters - Little Bento Shop
Fossil Moulds - ebay
Wooden Boxes - Typo
Straws - Little Big Company
Wooden Spoons - Wheel and Barrow
Cake Stand - Maxwell and Williams
Party Bags - DIY details coming
Photos - My very patient and clever husband :)

Everything else I already owned or picked up from the dollar store.

Lincoln's Picnic Party

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 23:56:00 +0000

Over the weekend my little Lincoln turned one and we threw him a small, family birthday party. I'd been planning his first birthday picnic in the park for months, so when storms were forecast for the entire week of his birthday I was so upset. I held out hope until the very last minute, but a big storm rolled in two hours before the party so I cut my losses and set up at home instead. I shouldn't have stressed though, it was still a perfect day. Link and his cousins had an absolute ball!

I went with a blue and yellow picnic theme and kept everything really simple. I focused on easy and (mostly) healthy food so that Lincoln could try out some new foods. On the table above we had fruit, berries, blueberry tarts, icy cold water, traditional lemonade and a lemon bundt cake with a lemon glaze. Later on in the afternoon Sean cooked up a big barbeque for all of us.

Invitations - Custom order from Paper Heart Company

Cake - Great Recipe Here

Blueberry Tarts - Recipe Coming Soon

Paper Bags and Straws - Lark

Drink Dispenser - Wheel and Barrow

Ball Mason Jars - Big W

Wooden Stands - Typo

Everything else I already owned or DIYed (let me know if you want details though and I'll see what I can do!)

Featured on 'Shoes Off Please'

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 23:01:00 +0000

The very gorgeous (and completely hilarious) Gilit from Shoes Off Please is running a feature on Max and Me today. Head on over to have a read! While you're there make sure to grab the discount code for 10% off your next purchase!!

Raspberry Nursery Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 10:06:00 +0000

I've put together a little raspberry room love for those of you lucky enough to be having a baby girl. I've decided it's probably a good thing that I'm destined to have boys... There is a very real chance that if I had a girl I would redecorate her room every other week. There are way too many gorgeous things for baby girls :)

Cot - Kido Store
Change Table / Dresser - Incy Interiors
Ribbon Mobile - Max and Me Homewares (that's me!)
Name Art - Down That Little Lane
Beautiful Girl Art - Down That Little Lane
xo Art - Miss Poppy Design on Etsy
Little Girl Fox Art - Down That Little Lane
Love Heart Art - Max and Me Homewares
Pink Cushion - Sukan on Etsy
Raspberry Cushion - Caitlin Wilson Textiles
Love Cushion - Max ad Me Homewares
Blanket - Down That Little Lane
Basket - Howards Storage World
Bin - Down to the Woods

Holly's Room

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 03:15:00 +0000

Today one of my favourite interior designers (Bel from Petite Vintage Interiors) is sharing the very gorgeous room of her little girl Holly. It's such a gorgeous mix of handmade, designer, diy and vintage finds. I'm in love!! It's the exact look I would want for my own (imaginary) daughters room!

Head on over to the Petite Vintage Interiors Blog to see the rest of the gorgeous photos and a full list of supplier details.

Welcome Evie Jayne

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 08:14:00 +0000

A little less than a week ago my best friend Erin gave birth to a beautiful little baby girl called Evie. I've only seen photos so far, but I already know that she is just about the sweetest thing in the entire world! I can't wait to actually meet her :).

I shared this Evie inspired mood board on facebook last week and as promised I'm back with the sources for each of the items I used.

Cot - Reese Cot from Incy Interiors
Chair - Peacock Chair from The Family Love Tree on Down That Little Lane
Yellow and Pink Blankets - Sticks and Stones on Etsy
Love Cushion - This one is by me :) - Max and Me Homewares on Etsy
Pom Pom Cushion - Limited Edition Cushion by Petite Vintage Interiors
Curtains - Ikea Sheer Curtains
Light - DIY by A Bubbly Life - Tutorial in Link
Bunny Wall Art - Chloe's Shop
Polka Dot Canvas - Nest Accessories on Down That Little Lane
Mouse Softie - from Cloth and Thread

Strawberry Party for Emmy

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 04:41:00 +0000

As much as I love truck parties, fish parties, airplane parties and the like, there is always going to be a special place in my heart for pretty girly themed parties. It's so satisfying to not have to worry if anything I'm making is too pretty or frilly.

Last weekend my sister mentioned that we would be having a bbq in the park for Emmy's third birthday, but that she was flat out at work and didn't have time to put together anything fancier than a sausage sizzle. You can work out what happened next... I promised not to go overboard or spend too much money and Jen gave me full licence to do whatever I wanted for Emmy's party. Love her!!

Once I decided on the strawberry theme it all came together really quickly.

We had the party down at the park yesterday and luckily I'd set everything up at home and snapped some photos first because it was crazy windy once we got down there! Plus it was super hot and the cake melted in the middle and started to collapse! It wasn't a drama though, we just ate cake first before we cooked the bbq. No-one has ever complained about getting to eat cake first!

Loving All Things Handmade

noreply@blogger.com (Tamsyn) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 01:52:00 +0000

I love handmade, it's my thing. My dream is to have a home filled with all things handmade and locally crafted. I realise that probably makes me sound like a complete hippy with a house full of wonky clay coffee mugs and crocheted place mats (at least that's the image that pops into my mind!).

But the reality is that handmade has evolved dramatically in the last few years. Now handmade (or locally purchased) means so much more. I love that I can buy high quality, gorgeously designed homewares, linens, art and actually get to know the person behind the goods. Knowing that you're buying something right from the source is such a great thing!

Lately I've been spending (way too much) time shopping at local markets and online at places like Etsy and Down That Little Lane. I am so in love with the people I've been meeting and the things I've been finding and thought I would share some of the gorgeous bits and pieces I've bought or that I'm lusting over.

Are these Billy and Scarlet prints not some of the most gorgeous prints you've ever seen!! I am so in love with the entire range. I've just bought the 'shine like the stars' one to go in Link's room and if I ever have a girl I I know for sure these other two will be making there way into her room. Jillian has also just released the most gorgeous range of nautical prints that are so perfect for a little boys room. Like I said, madly in love!!

***

Lincoln, my adorable little monster is a dribbler!! I don't remember needing bibs as much with Max, but they are an absolute must for this little guy. I found these Monkey and Poppet bibs at a local handmade market and they are perfect. I've only bought these two so far, but am planning on stocking up big next time I go to Handmade Redcliffe. Gorgeous patterns and really well made :).

***

For just about ever I have been in love with the gorgeous jewelry shop Bip and Bop and the other day I was lucky enough to win a $25 voucher to their etsy store. There was absolutely no way that I was going to be able to stick to $25, so I went ahead and ordered the pieces I have been wanting for ages. I normally spend any spare money on the boys so it was so nice to treat myself! Cannot wait until the package arrives!!

***

Is there anything better than receiving a gorgeously wrapped gift? I don't think so :). The other day at my first market stall I was lucky enough to be right next to the creative genius behind Nice Package and I fell head over heels in love (with the wrapping paper.. not her gorgeous husband, because that would just be awkward!). Anyway, go check them out you won't be sorry!!

***

When I talk about how much I love buying handmade this is exactly what I'm talking about. I met Clare from Small Green Leaf at a twilight market at my nieces school. I chatted with her for ages about all things handmade and while I was there fell madly in love with her gorgeous range of handmade silver jewelry. Not only do I now have the most stunning custom made silver pendent, I also got to meet the person who made it. Win, win!!

***

Katherine from The Print Press Studio is another gorgeous and lovely person that I met at the Twilight Markets. Her range of greeting cards, prints and custom artwork are absolute perfection. I'm notorious for forgetting to give a card with gifts so I'm planning on stocking up on some from her adorable range so that I never forget again!!

There are are about a million more stores that I could mention right now, but I figure I need to stop somewhere or there is a big chance my kitchen will never get clean! I hope you love these little shops as much as I do!!

xx Tamsyn