Just to make you all aware that after much deliberation and with immediate effect, Mummy’s Cheeky Monkey will be rebranding to ‘Love From Mummy’ and moving to www.lovefrommummy.co.uk . Our Twitter will also be automatically changing from @mummyandmonkey to @lovefrommummy but not until 20th April 2012 (This Friday) when all followers will have been notified.

Whilst i have loved blogging at Mummy’s Cheeky Monkey, the site isn’t what i wanted it to be, i’ve become distracted and gone off on a tangent along the way, forgetting about the real reasons why i started the blog in the first place.

My purpose was to record and document Monkey’s life as well as having my own little space to share my own experiences of mummyhood and so far i don’t feel that i have done much to achieve this so Love From Mummy will be a new blog, a new start and new posts. I want it to be a place that is accessible to family and friends as well as my fellow bloggers. This has been a difficult decision to make but one that i feel is right for me.

So, firstly i just wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for following and supporting us so far and secondly, please do resubscribe and join us at our new home over at www.lovefrommummy.co.uk . From there you can also follow us by Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs or like our new facebook page at www.facebook.com/lovefrommummyblog

We would love to see you all there,

Take Care,

Vikki xxx

Feeding can be a very stressful time for mummies like me who have a premature baby and it often carries with it a huge source of anxiety and concern. One of the main priorites when caring for a preterm baby is ensuring that they receive enough nutrients through breast milk or formula to grow and thrive. Arriving 10 weeks early and weighing 21b 13oz, Monkey was too small and too sick to be breastfed so was given my milk through a tube until his sucking reflex had developed enough to be fed from the breast or with a bottle.

I came across the Milkysnugz range when we were introducing Monkey to bottlefeeding and when the lovely lady behind it all offered to send us one for review, i was thrilled. For those of you that have never heard of Milkysnugz they are a range of cute and cosy bottle-holders that make feeding time alot easier for both mummy and baby.

The Milkysnugz range has been designed and developed specifically to make feeding time a more enjoyable experience and will help baby’s transition from breast feeding to bottle feeding.  There are six adorable animal characters to choose from, each with their own story and personality traits which can be found on the Milkysnugz website.

We were sent Elephant, the wisest of the Milkysnugz who loves cuddles, splashing at bath time and protecting babies with his trunk. Little details like this are what makes this product more personable and stand out from the crowd. It’s not just a feeding aid or a bottle holder, it’s a comforter, a companion and a soft cuddly toy for baby to snuggle up to when sleeping.

I was very impressed with the product, it’s made from high quality materials, versatile, durable and machine washable. Whats more, the Milkysnugz feature a zip for easy access to the bottle and a hook to restrict movement. I can’t fault the product at all, it really is a fantastic creation and one that i will be highly recommending to mummies everywhere.

The Milkysnugz range is available to purchase direct from their website at www.milkysnugz.co.uk . Each character is sold seperately and priced at £19.99 including P&P.

Vikki xxx

Disclosure:  I was sent an elephant milkysnugz for the purpose of this review but all views and opinions expressed are honest and entirely my own.

Here are the things that are making me cheerful this week: (All Monkey related of course!)

1. Monkey now stays awake for most of the day and has been sleeping through at night for the past 10 days. (this = 1 happy mummy!)
2. Monkey and i had a visit from the Health Visitor last week and she is very pleased with his physical and mental development. He now weighs an astonishing 11lb 10oz which may not sound alot to some but for us, it’s a huge accomplishment. To see how far he’s come since his days in neonatal care gives me a huge sense of pride and he never ceases to amaze me every single day.
3. We are meeting the lovely Laura (The Life And Times Of The Working Mum) and the gorgeous Gemma (Always A Mummy) for the first time next week at a bloggers event being held at London Zoo. Excited is not the word. They are two of my blogging buddies and I have formed firm friendships with the pair of them. When i started my blog i never dreamed i would meet so many fantastic mummies and their advice, support and listening ears have been invaluable to me.

Why don’t you share with us what’s made you happy this week and your own reasons to be cheerful? You can join in with the blog hop using the code below and why not check out some of the other posts that have been linked up once you’ve completed yours. We all have to start somewhere so leave a comment and i’ll visit you in return.

Vikki xxx

There will come a day when my baby boy will be a big man and won’t need his mummy so much anymore, but until then i plan to cherish every waking moment with him and steal every kiss i can.

For all you soppy mummies out there, send your children to bed with a kiss:

Vikki xxx

I’m a girly girl at heart and I have some truly beautiful pieces of silver and white gold jewellery that i love to wear but i also love my fashion and accessories and i love how fashion jewellery really brings an outfit together.

With the Summer fast approaching, these are the items on my shopping list:

1. Gold Love Necklace – add  a touch of cuteness and girliness to any outfit with this pretty necklace New Look £3.99
2. Diamonte Flower Ring  – it’s all about florals this season and this stunning flower ring will really make a statement New Look £4.99
3. Enamel Detail Chain Bangle – with a classic chain and patterned bracelet, this is the perfect accessory for creating a feminine vintage look. Boohoo.com £8.00
4. Bead and Chain Necklace – summer is all about vibrant colours and the contrasting beads on this necklace are a must for brightening up any outfit. Boohoo.com £8.00
5. Feather Heart Drop Hearings – these dainty earrings will add a touch of elegance and femininity to a cute Summer dress. Boohoo.com £4.00

So what is ‘Inspired’ all about?

Well if you read her Inspired – A First Birthday post, you’ll see for yourself but it is hosted every Monday and the general idea is to pick five pictures, photos or piece of art related to a theme of your choice and write a little piece for each on why you’ve chosen them and/or how they’ve inspired you. Then share your inspiration for that week by heading over to Lucy’s inspired post and linking up. It couldn’t be simpler.

It’s a great way to get creative, find some lovely blogs to read and discover some stunning photographs. Visit Dear Beautiful Boy to participate or find out more.

Vikki xxx

It’s not the easy ride others presume it to be, you’re on call 24 hours a day seven days a week, you suffer from a severe (and sudden) deprivation of sleep, you have no time to yourself, you worry constantly about things that seemed totally irrelevant before you were a mummy and most importantly you’re solely responsible for the upbringing and nurturing of this precious little life. Yet it spite of all of this, it is also the most rewarding and fulfilling job in the world.

So, these are the 10 rules i abide by (or try to) everyday to be a happy mummy:

1. Count your blessings – Be thankful every day for friends, family, life, health etc. Not everyone is as fortunate as you.
2. Do things for others – do a good turn for someone else with a daily kindness. If you want to feel good then do good!
3. Connect with people – say hello to a stranger, phone or talk to a relative/friend. Close relationships bring love, meaning and support and will give you a sense of belonging.
4. Take care of your body – be more active, eat healthy and take pride in your appearance. You’ll ooze self confidence and self worth in no time.
5. Laugh – Have a good laugh at something every day, laughter is the best medicine and others will feed off of your happy vibe.
6. Treat yourself – Make time for you and treat yourself from time to time. Remember you are you too, not just a mummy.
7. Do something different – join a class, take part in a new hobby or  learn a new skill, it will give you a sense of accomplishment and expose you to new ideas.
8. Be comfortable with who you are – No-one’s perfect so don’t compare yourself to others, accept who you are because you’re that way for a reason.
9. Set yourself goals – Setting ambitious but realistic goals will give you direction and a sense of satisfaction when you achieve them.
10. Stop – Stop and take notice of the world around you and cherish every moment with your loved ones especially your children.

Vikki xxx

READERS PLEASE IGNORE THIS POST!!!

The research carried about by Cancer Research UK is entirely funded by the public, so by clearing out the unwanted items of clothing in your wardrobe this Spring, you can help support their vital work in the fight against cancer. In the UK alone, 4 children are diagnosed with the disease every single day, but with our support the charity can help more children beat cancer and survive.

How To Get Involved?

1. Bag up your unwanted items – The campaign is accepting clothes (dresses, tops, skirts, coats, trousers, jeans, suits), accessories (jewellery, bags, belts ties) and shoes. Some outlets will also be accepting CD’s, DVD’s, Books and homeware items.
2. Drop the items off at your local TK Maxx store between 1st-30th April.
3. All donated items will then be sold in Cancer Research UK stores around the country and every penny raised will be used to fund the research into children’s cancer.

Each bag of donated clothes could be worth up to £30, so please, go and have a rummage through those drawers, wardrobes and cupboards and clear out those clothes you no longer wear. We all have them! Think of the difference you could be making to the lives of children with cancer.

Thank you.

Vikki xxx

This weeks pretty.little.things. is being hosted by Lucy over at Dear Beautiful Boy and the theme is ‘All Dressed Up’.

I didn’t have to think very hard for a suitable picture this week as the one below was the perfect choice.

Let me introduce you to Captain Monkey all dressed up as a pirate! My sister bought this adorable little outfit for him as an Easter Present. Who needs the Easter Bunny when i have my very own Easter Pirate? Arrrrggg!

Don’t forget to head over to Mummy Daddy And Me Makes Three for next weeks pretty.little.things where the theme is ‘Mummy And Me’.

Vikki xxx