Love Is………

This week we’ve been having problems with the drains.  Three, erm, ‘drain men’ and a week later, our drains and more importantly our driveway are sparkling clean (well almost).  Anyway, with all the drama, I completely forgot to share my guest post over on The Little Lily Pad Co Blog.  The theme was ‘Love is…’ and I decided to share the story of when we found out that Pooh Bear was getting comfy in my womb – ‘Love is……Timing’

This morning, I also learned that ‘Love Is…..’ cleaning poo from your husband’s vintage Start Wars figure, Klatu!

Spud shouted me to tell me he had used his potty so up the stairs I went and as I told him I was just getting some loo roll to clean him up, he said…

“Mummy, can you get some tissue for my figure please?”

Cue my heart stopping as my brain processed what this could mean…

Yep, the little fella had a head full of poop!

Clean Klatu

The day I no longer have to see my children’s poop will be a happy one :)

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A Confidence Boost – Breastfeeding a Toddler

So, Pooh Bear is still breastfeeding at almost 16 months and I think we are going to try for the golden two year mark.  I say ‘golden’ since it is at least the age at which the World Health Organisation says you should aim to breastfeed to in the western world.

I have been wondering if we should be offering him more alternative drinks to my milk in a bid to encourage self-weaning.  He has water and juice throughout the day like his older brother and he has the very, very occasional couple of ounces of cow’s milk every now and then.  He rarely feeds in public as he’s too busy bombing around to snuggle up to Mummy but he does have a good feed at any support groups I attend.  I think this is because of the ‘Corrie Effect’ as I call it.  What, you’ve never heard of the ‘Corrie Effect’?

Cor-rie Eff-ect 1. When the phrase “I’ll make a brew” is uttered on Coronation Street thus making the viewer crave a cup of the good stuff themselves.

They’re always catching me with that and babies it seems are the same.  They see one breastfeeding and they all have to do it!

I have been feeling more and more nervous about having to feed him outside of the safety of the groups and our home in case we attract negative comments in public.  I’m not sure how I would react and I know it would upset and anger me if anything out of turn was said.  It would be one of those infuriating moments where you just sit there quiet and gobsmacked then think of a witty retort 3 hours later and forever play it over in your head torturing yourself.

Anyway, the point of this post was to say that I had two absolutely, genuinely lovely comments about me continuing to feed Pooh Bear.  Where all around you, breastfeeding is not seen as the normal way to feed your baby and god forbid you feed them much longer than six months, it was a real confidence boost and has spurred me on to continue as long as Pooh Bear wants.

We HAVE to keep reminding ourselves that they are only small for such a short time and it is no big sacrifice to keep going a bit longer.  There is always the risk of attracting negative comments but that is true of so many parenting issues.  And anyone who says Mums are selfish for continued breastfeeding really have NO clue what it is like to feed a toddler.  Mostly rewarding yet frustrating, tiring and sometimes painful (See my earlier post, Twiddles, Fidgets and a Kick in the Face)

I also feel it is important for people to see Pooh Bear feeding.  I would never have thought about feeding a toddler before I had children so by seeing toddlers feed in support groups especially, it is empowering other women to themselves feed as long as they and their children want and not how long society thinks is best.

I’m also pretty stubborn and if someone says I shouldn’t be doing something I want to blow a raspberry in their face and do it anyway.   Perhaps not the best reason to continue to breastfeed but since it’s not damaging anyone, and in fact has major health benefits for both of us, why not!

If you are feeding your toddler, why not put this fabulous logo in your side bar.  It was designed by Peaceful Parenting and was brought to my attention by More Than Milk on their facebook page.

If you are looking for some support with regards to continued breastfeeding there are some lovely bloggers and online support/information groups dishing out confidence and support in spades.

If you think breastfeeding ONE toddler is a challenge, you MUST pop over to Twinkle Mummy who is enjoying the trials and tribulations of feeding her twin boys Spud & Sprout

KellyMom

Lactivist - Facebook & Site

Dispelling Breastfeeding Myths - Facebook & Site

Circus Queen - Breastfeeding Beyond One is Not Just for Mum

Plus 2.4 - When Should Extended Breastfeeding End?

My Mummy’s Pennies - Breastfeeding, a Mother’s Choice

Breastfeeding in England – The Highs and Lows of Tandem Nursing

Analytical Armadillo - Facebook & Site

The Leaky Boob - Facebook & Site

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Consider myself well and truly told (by a 2 year old) !!!

Watching Saturday morning tv with the boys, ahhh, how I used to love weekend tv as a child.  Shame it’s not quite the same nowadays.

My sister and I used to love, ‘Going Live’, ‘Live and Kicking’ and the other which followed which I can’t remember the names of now.  Going Live was the best though, we even had a Gordon the Gopher to annoy the parents with :D

Right enough reminiscing and back to my little story…

Spud has a thing for Diego lately (Dora’s cousin) and there are a number of slightly annoying songs throughout the half hour programme.  I think that the more children’s tv I watch, the more unhinged I become.  It is enough to send you mad at times and Diego is no different from the rest.  The Rescue Pack song has a slight hispanic feel to it (as has the whole programme as this is the point with the characters speaking both Spanish and English/American) so I started rolling my arms above my head a la Strictly (I tried to find out what that move is called but no luck, if you know, please tell me) and was promptly told

“Mummy, don’t do that!”

“Why not?”

“That’s wheels on the bus Mummy, NOT Diego.”

“Oh, ok then” Me sounding a little crestfallen.

This sort of exchange occurs between Spud and I a few times a week and makes me realise how quickly he’s growing up and that I am already excelling in my role of ‘Embarrassing Mum’.  I’m more than happy to fill that role but where is my beautiful BABY boy???   Luckily, I have another to fill the void for now :)

*shuffles off to cry into my cup of tea*

Tummy Time and Interaction with PlayDuvet®

This morning, Pooh Bear and I went to ‘Tickle & Giggles’ at our local Children’s Centre.  This is the third week we’ve been but when I originally booked us on to the 5 week course, I had absolutely no clue what it entailed but judging by the name, it was going to be fun!

Turns out the course, for 4 – 18 mth olds, is all about the importance of Tummy time and how that helps with the development of their tummy, back and neck muscles.  This strengthening of their core muscles in turn helps with crawling, walking and also their speech.  Lying down with your baby Face-to-Face is important for speech and communication and it’s really lovely seeing their little faces react to you.  As current advice is for babies to sleep on their backs, 30 minutes of Tummy Time a day can help avoid Flat Head Syndrome.

For the hour we are in the room, we sit, lie, crawl, kneel and sing on half a dozen or so different mats and blankets – some thicker and more comfortable than others on the hard floor…

This is where I think they could really do with a…

 PlayDuvet^®

In a sentence, the PlayDuvet^® is simply that.

A duvet you can play on, well, a special duvet anyway…

The idea is, you buy the PlayDuvet and then fill it with a standard double duvet and it is a fabulous, large, soft play mat the whole family can enjoy.

Like a lot of families now-a-days, we have laminate floors downstairs and this can be a real problem when babies start to roll, crawl and even when they’re walking.  The PlayDuvet^® ensures a soft, safe (fully CE marked) warm landing and is great for all stages of development.

In addition to providing a play area, the PlayDuvet^® is covered in bright and contrasting colours, shapes, tags, and crinkly fabrics all designed to stimulate babies and children.

A real bugbear of mine with regards to products and toys for children is when they say ‘surface washable only’ on the label.  Who designs these products knowing the first thing children are going to do is slobber on, chew, put their mucky fingers all over and puke on said product???  The PlayDuvet^® has been thoughtfully designed and is as easy to clean as a normal duvet cover and you can also buy a waterproof cover to go between the PlayDuvet^® and the double duvet so you can give babies and toddlers nappy-free time without worrying about little puddles soaking the duvet.  You could have some water play on the mat or as Spud likes playing ‘Piplinks’ (Picnics), we could actually put water in his tea set and not worry about water going all over the floor.

The last point I am going to mention about the  is that it is fully portable and comes in it’s own drawstring bag so you can take it on holiday or round to a friends house.  This also makes it nice and compact to store, although I doubt you would put it away very often.

The PlayDuvet^® would be great for any children’s groups, children’s centres, childminders, parties, nurseries, schools, holiday homes and anywhere children and babies congregate to play.

I came across PlayDuvet^® on Twitter and Nic who runs the business has a young family and they, like many families today are just waiting for that big break which will see their business really take off and grow.  I know how strong the power of social networking can be and I would love if everyone who reads this post shares it with their followers on Twitter and friends on Facebook and spreads the word about PlayDuvet^®

 Please ‘like’ the PlayDuvet^® Facebook page and follow on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

Review Disclaimer:  I have not received any payment in return for this review.   It has been written out the goodness of my heart and I would love for it to be shared as this is a great product :)

 

Project 366 – 23-29/366

The Boy and Me

23/366 – What Mummy? I still have sauce here???

25/366 – Spud’s present for pooping like a big boy in the loo :D

26/366 – Dream Feed

27/366 – Double Trouble!!! Eeeek!

28/366 – Mmmmm Cupcakes

Did you notice the deliberate mistake? I usually post my weekly highlights but this week, I have posted ALL the photos I took. Yep, there are only 5.

I know, it’s only week 4 but I’ve failed miserably already! On Thursday I had a great morning at the hospital at what was my last training session to become a breastfeeding peer supporter. I had both boys with me and they were really well behaved – thanks to my very lovely fellow Bosom Buddies for looking after them. Anyway, the boys and I were exhausted and fell asleep at 7pm without me having taken a photo – Fail One.

On Sunday, Pooh Bear and I went on a shopping trip with my sister to spend some vouchers from my birthday and then we met up with Scatty Dad and Spud for tea at Nanna and Grandad’s and it was bedtime before we knew it. I forgot to take a photo that day too – Fail Two.

I have deliberated and have come to the conclusion that this is going to be my last Project 366. I could carry on but having missed two days already, I don’t hold out much hope for the rest of the year. Quite often I can take 10 photos one day and none the next so I will still gave a record of the boys development over the next year just not one from each day of this year.

Never mind, there’s always next year and I will still be supporting the other bloggers who are still ‘on the wagon’ as it were. Please click on the 366 linky picture at the top of this post to visit The Boy and Me to see how everyone else is doing.

Good Luck Everyone!

Scatty Mum of Boys xxx