When you hold your beautiful new baby in your arms you are in awe of what you have created, you drink in her fresh, sweet scent and fall in love through the depths of her eyes. You caress her warm, soft skin and revel in the wonder of what you have done.

Babies are precious, they are gifts, they are a part of us that is better than us. So innocent, so pure.

As a parent you want to protect them and nourish them, provide only the very best for them, for they are the one (or sometimes the two!) that make your life worth living. They are your son or daughter and they mean the world to you.

Because we want only the best for our babies I have no hesitation in recommending to you the beautiful newborn clothing from The Essential One.

The Essential One is a company specialising in essential clothing items for babies aged 0 – 12 months.

At The Essential One we focus our ranges around new baby clothes which are essential to you, making life much simpler and shopping and baby changing stress free! We will guide you through essential new born baby wear so that you are only buying what you truly need.

When Matilda Mae was born The Essential One asked if they could send a few items for her to try. How could I refuse such a kind and generous offer. Since my own email I have discovered that The Essential One have been sending gifts to lots of new mummies and mummies to be. I think that this is wonderful of them and though I know it is promotion for their company what a fabulously friendly way to go about it.

For Matilda Mae The Essential One sent two sleepsuits for her to try and three short sleeve bodysuits. Each of these items came from the pink range. The pink used in this range is a muted pink that is not too girly and reminds me of lovely sweet things like marshmallows, strawberry ice cream and candy floss. This soft colour suits Matilda perfectly and she looked adorable in her special clothes.

Cute and Cuddly Designs

The clothing from The Essential One comes in cute designs with small details such as motifs and buttons. The clothes are made from 100% supersoft cotton that feels gentle against the skin. The clothes are well made with babies in mind.

Super Soft for Snuggling

The sleepsuits

are fully poppered including all the way down each leg for ease of changing and have integral scratch mittens which can be turned back to cover baby’s hands.

Changing made easy with poppers

The Essential One sells all the items you will need with a newborn. You can purchase items individually or buy one of their essential packs.

An outstanding pack with all you need to welcome your baby into this world. Our 3 pack of sleepsuits with turn back scratchmitt cuffs for day or nightwear with full popper opening for easy changing , a pack of 5 bodysuits with envelope neck for ease of popping over baby’s head, a 2 pack of hats to mix and match and a pack of 4 mittens to complete the head to toe outfit. Made from 100% superfine cotton, these are so soft against baby’s skin. All items come with a complimentary jersey bag- ideal for nappies / cotton wool or any other essential items. Ideal to take to hospital or to form the basis of your baby’s first wardrobe.

New Baby Essentials

The clothes that we were sent came in a beautiful cotton bag which we now use for keeping Matilda’s spare clothes in when we are out and about. The bag is made with the supersoft cotton as the clothes and makes a really very special gift.

Warm and Comfy for Sleeping

The other thing that makes packages from The Essential One a true treat is their exclusive new baby scent that fills a room as soon as you open your parcel. It really makes receiving practical items a special sensory gift.

Marshmallows and Candyfloss

The Essential One provides an excellent range of clothing and accessories for new babies (I love their blankets!). Their attention to detail and customer service is outstanding. Their clothes just perfect for that special new arrival in your world.

The Essential One!

Please check out their website, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. The Essential One not to be without when you or someone you know is expecting!

We were sent two sleepsuits and three bodysuits for the purposes of this review.

I am Jennie and I am 35 years old. I am a brand new mummy of three having 22 month old twins and a 2 week old baby girl.

Esther, William and Matilda Mae together with their Daddy are my life, my world and they make every single moment of every single day worthwhile.

My blog is called Edspire. It originated as Edspire: Welcome to the World Esther and William, it became Edspire: Parenting Premature Twins and is about to be Edspire: And Then There Were Three! The blog is growing and changing alongside our family. It is something I am incredibly proud of and writing for it is how I like to spend my rare moments of me time.

Then There Were Three!!

Brit Mums Live 2012 will be my first blogging conference. I attended the MAD Blog Awards Ceremony last September as a finalist and got my first real life taste of the wonder of the blogging community. It definitely left me wanting more.

When I heard about Brit Mums Live 2012 I knew that I had to be there. I also knew that I wanted to go hand in hand with a baby business that I believed in. Imagine my joy then when I secured sponsorship from not one but two family focused businesses with products that I love and am passionate about promoting. One of the things I love about Edspire is that I can use it to connect with and work with people, companies and charities that I believe in.

My wonderful sponsors are Snoozeshade and BundleBean.

Because of the lovely ladies who own these companies I am able to attend both days of the blogging conference and enjoy a night in a hotel with my beautiful daughter, Matilda Mae. I am looking forward to some guilt free bonding time with her as much as I am looking forward to the conference itself.

At the conference I am looking forward to meeting other mummy bloggers especially The Boy and Me and Multiple Mummy and also the other finalists in the MAD Blog Awards Pregnancy category. I hope that some or all of them will be there? There are other lovely bloggers who have supported me through my pregnancy and early days with Baby who I hope will be there. I am feeling very nervous about the whole thing as I do not find talking to people I don’t know easy. I am hoping Matilda Mae will be an ice breaker.

MAD Pregnancy Blog Finalist

I am looking forward to seeing Ruby Wax and Sarah Brown talk. I am also looking forward to the workshops which will enable me to learn from and connect with other bloggers. I am looking forward to finding out more about working with charities and brands and taking my blog forward to another level. I am excited about the possibilities that attending Brit Mums Live may bring.

I will not be wearing branded clothing but will have with me my Snoozeshade and my Bundlebean, these will of course be Baby’s accessories rather than my own. She is a very lucky little lady!

Using our BundleBean as a tummy time mat

I am planning to wear clothes that are easy and discrete to breastfeed in. I have my eye in a few items at Babes with Babies should finances allow. It has been a long while since I felt happy with my appearance so I want to make a real effort for this weekend. I wll not however be changing in the toilets for the BiB awards ceremony, not myself anyway, but I am sure Baby will put some special PJs on!!!

The Essential One

From Brit Mums Live I hope to gain some ideas and inspiration for Edspire, some confidence about myself and my abilities within the world of blogging and the chance to unashamedly show off my daughter knowing that my other children will be having a special weekend with Daddy. I hope to network with bloggers, brands and charities and learn how to begin making my blog my career so that I can take some time out of our busy family life to blog guilt free knowing that I am doing something to improve our lives and that of others. There is so much I feel that I could be doing with this blog I hope that I might find someone who can help me find my way and point me in the right direction.

I will definitely be looking to network with brands at the conference particularly those directly related to babies and toddlers.

Knowing that this is a time for Edspire but also a time for mummy and Matilda bonding I will not be joining in the early morning bloggercise! Instead I will be having a leisurely breakfast with my beautiful girl. I can’t wait! We are staying at The Hoxton on the Friday night and will have a lovely night of snuggles!

I am really excited about the workshops at Brit Mums Live and am writing a separate post about which ones I will be attending and why.

Please do say hello if you see me at Brit Mums Live I will be mostly feeding Matilda Mae in a quiet corner somewhere hoping that you will x

5 weeks to go!

Having twins on Smart Trikes prepared me for admiring looks and lots of comments and compliments.

Nothing though quite prepared me for the gushing compliments given to a proud mummy of a beautiful baby framed by the prettiest car seat cover I have ever seen. And so very girly, perfect for our daughter, Baby Matilda Mae.

Matilda, Ruby and Ginger!

Matilda will be two weeks old tomorrow and she is already a well travelled little girl and every time we go out and about we cover her up with this gorgeous Ruby and Ginger cover.

Pretty as a Picture!

Everyone we meet makes a comment about how gorgeous the fabric is, what a great idea the cover is and how comfy and snug she looks.

One of the nurses at the hospital thought she might like an adult sized one to wear when watching TV in the winter so she can be all snug and warm but stick her head out for viewing and snacks.

All Covered Up with Ruby and Ginger

This gorgeous cosy car seat cover comes from Ruby and Ginger and costs just £25.

Snug as a bug….but as safe as possible

…isn’t that what parents want for their little ones?

Tog rated at 3+, the original Cosy Car Seat Cover keeps baby warm and protected from wind and other elements whilst also providing protection for baby’s head and face. Its elasticated fitting allows the Cosy Cover to slip easily on and off the car seat without disturbing baby and can be used whilst travelling in the car, or out and about on your travel system.

The design ensures baby’s safety harnesses can be tightened correctly, that you can always have a secure grip on the handle, whilst the V window allows you to see baby easily.

It has been widely reported that wearing bulky padded clothing whilst travelling in car seats increases the risk of injury should there be an accident, and our cosy cover provides a safe solution whilst maintaining comfort and warmth.

Fitting all standard group 0 car seats including Maxi Cosi, Gracco and Britax.

The Cosy Cover can be used in conjunction with most car seat rain covers and comes with a practical cotton storage bag.
Protecting baby with style!

We actually use our cotton bag as a ‘snack sack’ which Esther and William both love to carry when we are out as it is full of little treats for them to have whilst we are out and about.

The cosy car seat cover can be bought on its own or as part of a set called ‘Everything’s Covered!‘

Our ‘Everything’s Covered’ set is a tick list of essentials for a trip out. The matching Cosy Car Seat Cover, Nappy Purse, Travel Change Mat and Toy Tie are perfect for parents on the go and also make a thoughtful and practical new baby gift.

The Nappy Purse, Travel Change Mat and refillable wipes case provides parents on the go with a compact and convenient way to carry everything they need for changing. It can be discreetly slipped into a handbag or pocket, removing the need for the larger changing bags…

…the simple yet clever adjustable Toy Tie ensures favourite toys are safely secured to the stroller, avoiding the inevitable tears if lost.

Nappy Purse with mini change mat from Ruby and Ginger

The nappy purse is great for when Matilda and I go out alone and I don’t want to take a massive bag. It is also handy for keeping essential bits together in the house and for keeping Matilda’s necessaries separate from the twins’ in our family change bag. The nappy purse comes in a range of gorgeous fabrics just like all Ruby and Ginger products.

The mini change mat fits perfectly inside the purse along with the wipes holder and a couple of nappies. I also tend to keep a couple of breats pads in there for me. It is a very handy, multi purpose purse.

The ‘Everything’s Covered’ Set has certainly made things easier for Matilda and I in our early trips out, definitely less stressful for me. So many people have been impressed with the concept and this stunning range of baby accessories. I would just love for Ruby and Ginger to now make a matching breastfeeding cover and my yummy mummy look would be complete!

If you are looking for practical but pretty gifts for stylish mummies or mummies to be then you need look no further than Ruby and Ginger who also stock coordinating toddler or sibling gifts including this fabulous backpack. Esther in particular loves the bag and we will have a full review coming soon.

We have loved using our Ruby and Ginger baby products and have captured the attention of many admirers on our trips out. Fabulous products from a lovely and friendly company.

Ruby and Ginger provided me with one Everything’s Covered Set for the purposes of this review.

New parents dream of their child’s first day at the school gate, graduation and even their grown up children’s wedding but the most important thoughts should be of making a Will to ensure a secure future for their family.

What happens if you don’t make a Will?

If you die without making a Will no one will know exactly how you would like your children to be cared for when you are no longer here. Your children’s future could be decided by a court and the state.

Why do I need to appoint a legal guardian in a Will?

The most important aspect of making a Will is to nominate a legal guardian who you know and trust to make the right decisions for your children’s welfare if you and your partner die.

What will happen to my property and money if I die without making a Will?

A Will is important to ensure that your money is used to care for all your children in the best way possible. If you don’t make a Will it will be the state which decides how to distribute your assets. If there are no children from a previous marriage the majority of your money would go to your spouse, or children, if he or she had already died. But it will be more complex if you already have children before marrying your current spouse.

If there are stepchildren in the family you must make a Will to ensure everyone is looked after according to your wishes.

You have to think carefully about how your assets should be divided. If you wanted to leave half of your estate to a child from a previous relationship and half to your spouse and children you could make a discretionary trust Will. This means you could put up to £325,000 into a trust and your spouse and children can continue to live in the family home. Later when your spouse dies the child from the first relationship would benefit from the trust and the money would be secure.

There is an alternative to this type of Will.

Instead you could make a mutual Will and this time you and your spouse agree to name the same beneficiaries to be left agreed sums of money when the second spouse dies. Each Will would contain a clause to say that neither of you can change the terms of the Will without the others consent. Your spouse would have access to all your money in his or her lifetime.

For more information on making a will, or if you wish to complete a Will online visit www.mylawyer.co.uk

I received a £30 Mothercare voucher for publishing this post.

The Future is in Your Hands!

Too Cute!

Today Matilda Mae is 11 days old.

Today we have been discharged from the Midwife as our clever little girl has gained so much weight.

Matilda now weighs 7lb 12oz putting on 8oz in 6 days!!! She is no longer jaundiced and we have both been declared fit and well.

Now we have 7 more days with Daddy’s help before me and our three go it alone!!!

This week is going to be all about trying things out and gaining confidence for getting about with three children under two. There are varying combinations that I am keen to try:

Sling and double buggy
Sling and reins
Pram and reins
Double buggy and reins

Will all be good fun until we find what works best for us in different circumstances.

We have also found that Esther and William now really enjoy art and craft activities so I am going to build them in after lunch each day. I am going to be reading the MAD Blog Awards Craft Finalists for ideas and inspiration. All the night feeding gives me some quality reading time!

I'm a Big Sister!

I'm a Big Brother!

This week will also be making the most of having Daddy full time to make sure I get some rest and really bond with Matilda.

On Wednesday I am taking her to NCT Bumps and Babes to meet some of my friends and on Thursday I am taking her to London for a press event! I need to get out and about with her to remember what being out with a baby is like, I will then add the twins to the mix from there.

Out and About with Ruby and Ginger

I have only driven my car once since the birth and that was to Sainsburys with Matilda Mae. We got there and back safely but I did not buy any of the things that we went for. I had to send David out after me.

So you see I need practise before I am allowed out alone; plus three!!!!

Also this week I would like to get my eyebrows shaped and Esther and William REALLY need a haircut!

The other wonderful thing that has happened today is that we think we may have found a house!!

We have been searching for a house to buy for a few months now but have not found anything that suits our wants and needs. However, today we may just have found it!

A house at the end of a lane
A house in a village with a shop and a cafe and a park
Near lots of good schools
A house with open spaces for children to run and play
A space for David to work
A garden for adventures
A house full of potential and possibilities
A family home for years to come!

Today we went to explore the area and I had a definite buzz of excitement in my tummy. We have not even been inside the house yet, tomorrow is the day for that.

These first 11 days as a family of five have been a real rollercoaster of emotions for all of us as we get to grips with something so precious and so very very new.

Matilda Mae in particular has found these first 11 days exhausting!

Sssshhh!

Day 9

Yesterday for the first time in Matilda Mae’s life we saw the sun.

Sun Shower!

We decided to make the most of the weather by going to Leeds Castle together, for the first time as a family of five. We also had an extra pair of hands in my best friend, Michele.

Shell!

It really was a lovely afternoon and Leeds Castle is definitely one of my favourite places to be. It is a favourite of many local mummies actually as it is so baby friendly and safe for toddlers to run around. Esther and William love it there too.

Hello Peacock!

We loaded up the double buggy and tried Matilda out in her Chicco Nunu. More about that to follow!

NuNu!

With everything we needed for all of us it looked much like we were going away for a weekend not having a two hour stroll round a park.

Easy Rider!

But anyway …

We had a wonderful time.

Esther and William loved being able to walk around the castle grounds. They were both very keen to push the baby!

Pushing with Pink Lining!

They tried out their new wellies and were very disappointed to discover that all the puddles had dried up!

Snap Snap!

They were feeding bread to the ducks and the geese for the very first time.

Feed the Birds!

Up until now they have always watched me do it but this time they did the feeding themselves. They were so brave and they absolutely loved it. William got pecked by a goose and it did not phase him at all.

Goose

It was lovely to be out in the sunshine and to take big, deep breaths of fresh country air. I have missed being outside.

Welly Throwing!

We stopped at the castle cafe for a drink and a snack before going to the play park for a swing and a slide. David and Michele were helping Esther and William while my attentions were focused on Matilda.

Esther

William

It was a peaceful afternoon with three adults to three children I am not at all sure how I am supposed to manage such an excursion on my own?!?!

Esther and William love being outside and this is how I imagined us spending our summer but it is going to be difficult on our own. But I am sure it will get easier, as we get to know each other, and find ways to make it work as a family.

This was a good day.

One was to have a healthy pregnancy and give birth to a full term healthy baby and the second was to document my pregnancy in a way that would be helpful to others.

My Sleeping Beauty!

In the early hours of this morning whilst feeding the result of my first hope I discovered that I had perhaps achieved my second.

Eeeekkk!!!

I have reached the finals of The Mad Blog Awards, for the second year in a row, as one of their Best Pregnancy Blogs. I am so excited and proud and just so so happy I could burst. My pregnancy has been something of a rollercoaster ride and Edspire has been my diary and confidant throughout. It is where I have opened my heart and spoken my mind as the weeks went by and Matilda Bump blossomed.

Matilda Bump!

I am up against some blogging heavyweights in my category and I do not expect to win but I am so thankful to have been nominated.

Last year I was lucky enough to be a finalist for Best Baby Blog where once again I was up against some very popular blogs.

But for me it is not the winning it is the idea that someone somewhere is reading my blog and enjoying it and perhaps finding my stories helpful. That is what makes me feel all fuzzy inside!

Throughout my pregnancy I shared weekly Bump Watch updates alongside product reviews. I tried to write with honesty and truly share my 39 week journey. I am looking forward now to sharing the development of our new family member, Matilda Mae.

Matilda Mae

Writing my pregnancy blog has helped me to process my thoughts and emotions, it has helped me to make new friends and to prepare for life as a mummy of three.

I am hoping that people will continue to read my Bump Watch posts and find useful information and reassuring anecdotes within them.

If you nominated Edspire for Best MAD Pregnancy Blog then thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. If you would like to vote for Edspire to win this final and be the Best MAD Pregnancy Blog 2012 then please click on the link below and follow the instructions you will find there.

Please also takes some time to read some of the other blogs listed as finalists in the Pregnancy and other categories. There really are some wonderful parent writers around and I am so so proud to be considered as one of them.

Thank you x

Do I Suit My Name?

Shortly after Esther and William were born I wrote a short post about why we had chosen their names – What is in a Name?

Today I am doing the same for Matilda Mae.

Matilda is a name I have always loved and for a long time was our first choice of name for Esther. I am glad now that we chose Esther for Esther though as it is a name that suits her perfectly. Just as Matilda Mae is perfect for our new little girl. We have been calling her it since she was first conceived, though we did have a wobble at 26 weeks.

We have also changed the spelling of Mae from our original intended May.

Matilda Mae Henley

The name Matilda originated in Germany. I love the link to Germany as it is where I grew up. I lived there from the age of 11 until I was 24.

Matilda means mighty in battle.

The name was brought from Europe to the UK by William the Conqueror whose wife had the name. She was known as Queen Matilda or Maud.

Matilda can be shortened to Tilly, Tilda, Millie, Matty or Maud.

Matilda by Roald Dahl, is a children’s book about a girl with extraordinary mental powers.

Waltzing Matilda is a famous Australian folk song.

We like the name Mae because it is a pet form of Mary, which is David’s mother’s name.

I also love the meaning, ‘Star of the Sea’, as David and I both love the sea and Esther’s name means star and so it provides a link between the names of our two daughters.

Mae is of Hebrew origin.

What’s in a name? Lots in a name!

Matilda Mae Henley

My Jubilee Baby!

Emma’s Diary and the Woodland Trust have teamed up to offer a very special way to celebrate babies born during the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Simply visit The Baby Show, Birmingham NEC, Friday 18-Sunday 20th May, stand C21 where you can order a tree for only £20.00! All you have to do is complete a form and you will receive a certificate pack there and then. See. www.thebabyshow.co.uk for more details.

The Woodland Trust is creating 460 acres of new woodland at its Flagship Diamond Wood site in heart of the National Forest in Leicestershire, and a grove is to be dedicated to little ones born during this very special year.

For years to come families will be able to enjoy the woodland, taking picnics, making dens and offering a wide range of stimulus and activity – sights, sounds, smells and places for hide and seek.

New Mums and Dads, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles are being given the chance be a part of this and dedicate one or more of the new trees to the new born in their life; a special gift that will grow with the baby – and will overtake it one day!

Every £20 donated will plant a new tree; the baby will receive a certificate with personal words of dedication and details of how to find the wood. The tree will also be included in the Royal Record of tree planting for the Jubilee. And, if you fancy getting muddy with the family, why not take up our invitation and join us to plant trees on the 460 acre site. The Emma’s Diary Jubilee Grove will have just 10,000 trees, and with over 600,000 births in England and Wales alone, this will be a very exclusive gift.

David Castle, Managing Director of Lifecycle Marketing Ltd, publishers of Emma’s Diary, said: “We are really looking forward to working with the Woodland Trust to create the Emma’s Diary Jubilee Grove for babies born this year and watching the trees grow into a beautiful and inspiring place to visit.”

Georgina McLeod, head of the Woodland Trust’s Jubilee Woods Project, said: “It’s so exciting to have a hand in creating something that will become part of history, and working with Emma’s Diary will ensure this will become a place for families to enjoy and a lasting legacy for future generations.”

So here’s your chance to join in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations by Planting a Tree in the Jubilee Babies grove for all the new babies out there.

What a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a baby born this year.

One person who may choose to plant a tree for a baby is our competition winner.

Congratulations to our Winner!

CONGRATULATIONS MUMMY FEVER!!

All quoted text is from the lovely ladies at Azaria PR