Apr 30, 2013

#project scrapbook 6 ⁰

I’m a bit late posting this, this week. I have fallen in to the trap of having too many jobs on the go. Invariably I end up flitting from project to project and not actually achieving very much at all. Not to mention the fact that the house has become a TOTAL tip! I feel like I am constantly chasing my own tail although it is all self inflicted. Additionally I forgot just how much time a small baby consumes. Just when you think you have got 10mins to sort a few bits out she needs changing or feeding.

This week just suddenly I have noticed that little Harri has grown loads. She has her new born look. She is really strong and is already trying to pull herself up into a sitting position, and can hold her head up really well. Mimi could sit up quite early so maybe Harri will be the same. On the positives Harri sleeps really well at night. Touch wood. I know that there is plenty of time for things to change but at the moment she only wakes me about once. Mimi on the other hand is a different story. She has taken to waking at 4.45am again!!! Whats more she expects me to help her with her jigsaw at the unearthly time!

Mimi has been highly amusing this week. She can still fit in the bumbo and has taken to watching TV in it. She also carefully ate her apple and left a nice little trail all the way up the stairs! I was very impressed at the patience she must have had and the fact that she must have thought it through as it was in a very neat little line. We have also taken advantage of the sunshine and spent some time out in the garden. Finally I think Spring might be on its way.

Apr 26, 2013

Sainsbury’s Little Ones Nappies. ⁰

by MummyandMimi • Family, Household, Shopping, Thrifty Shopping, Uncategorized • Tags: baby products

Last week Sainsbury’s were giving away packs of their Little Ones nappies with a spend of £40 or more. This is a very clever ploy on their part. If like me you are loyal to your nappy brand it is difficult to make the switch to a different brand. What if they are not as good? Will it be money wasted?

I have used Pampers nappies ever since Mimi was born. I did briefly try Huggies (although you can no longer get these here) but I didn’t like them, I found them a bit tight and a bit rough to touch. So I stuck with what I knew. This time round with Harri I instinctively brought Pampers again. I did try some Boots nappies the other week as they were cheaper. However I found that they weren’t as a absorbent. Additionally to use them on a regular basis would mean a special trip to Boots.

So when I was given a couple of free packs from Sainsbury’s I was only too happy to try them. I have been pleasantly surprised by them and as a result of the free trial I will probably swap. I have found them to be much more absorbent than Pampers. Sometimes Pampers felt a bit damp to touch but I haven’t had any problems with Sainsbury’s Little Ones. I like the little elasticated section on the back of the nappy, and the sticky tags are nice and secure (I have pulled these off a couple of times with the Pampers which is very annoying). On the downside they don’t feel quite as soft as the Pampers and they don’t have the little strip which changes colour – but do we honestly need that anyway? The most important point is that they are considerably cheaper and in my opinion just as good.

We are currently in size 3′s. At the moment in Sainsbury’s have got offers on both Pampers and Little Ones.

Two packs of 56 Size 3 Little Ones are £10 – (8p per nappy)

Two Packs of 29 Pampers Size 3 New Baby are £10 – (17p per nappy)

That works out at a saving of 9p per nappy!!!! Having sat here and written this post and looked at the costings it makes no sense to stay with Pampers. We will be swapping. Now I am wondering if I will Sainsbury’s baby wipes a go too.

Apr 19, 2013

#Baby Bits: Mamas and Papas Bouncy Chair ⁰

by MummyandMimi • Shopping, Uncategorized • Tags: baby products

Our previous bouncy chair was nothing special. If I think back it was a hand-me down which Mimi used. Anyway it had defiantly done the rounds and it finally decided to give up and stop working. Whilst it might not have been anything fancy it was perfect for what we wanted and did the job. When looking to replace it I just wanted like for like. The closest match I could find was the Mamas and Papas Bubble Bouncer.

Initially I was really pleased with it, but now its really starting to bug me. Harri loves the attachable arch with soft toys but they literally just clip on and off. If Harri is in the chair you have to lift her in around it or you have to remove it and re-clip it afterwards. It is not very secure when attached and Mimi can remove it. I have caught her trying to re-attach it whilst Harri was in the chair, waving one end around very close to her head and face. I know you get what you pay for and I did only paid £24.95 (Its now in the sale at £15.00) however I wish in hindsight I had done some more research spent a bit more money and opted for something slightly better.

Apr 13, 2013

#Baby Bits: Caboo Baby Sling ¹

by MummyandMimi • Uncategorized • Tags: baby products

With so many baby slings on the market (most of which are not cheap) it is a dilemma as to which one to choose. With Mimi I went for a Baby Bjorn. However I found it very difficult to use. It was uncomfortable to wear, even when she was small it hurt my back. Not only that but I found it fiddly to use and almost needed two of us to put her in and out of it. In the end I hardly used it. I found it more hassle than it was worth. This time round I was recently moaning about the Baby Bjorn to my friend who recommended the Caboo Closer Sling. She said it would be money well spent and I have to agree with her. It has taken some getting used to. I had to watch a you tube video on how to wear it. Now I have grasped it I wouldn’t look back. It is easy to put on and off, comfortable to wear and distributes the weight effectively. I use it almost everyday now for the playschool run, daily chores (when Harri doesn’t want to be put down) or for going round the supermarket. However I did find their instructions a little confusing and not very clear hence why I had to watch the you tube video.

I have also heard good reviews about the Ergo Baby Carrier which can be worn on your front and back. I am thinking of trying to pick one of these up at some point. Although having gone on their website I think you need to be careful not to end up with a fake one if you are buying secondhand.

Caboo Baby Carrier – £59.99
Baby Bjorn – £79.99
Ergo Baby – £81.75

Mar 26, 2013

#Baby Bits: Mamas and Papas Changing Mat ⁰

by MummyandMimi • Uncategorized

I had been meaning to pick up a new changing mat for months. Our last one from John Lewis had defiantly seen better days. I was becoming increasingly embarrassed about getting it out when we had guests. So when I was out the other day I found a changing mat in the Mamas and Papas sale and finally got round to replacing our old one. I was really pleased with my bargain £14 mat reduced from £24.00. Not only does it look good, it is well padded and with the edging all the way round. I think it will probably last longer than some of the others we have had. However you need to watch it if your little one decides to do a wee mid change as it will run straight off the end of the mat and onto the surface below, and as many Mums will know you end up changing your baby in a whole host of places from the floor to the bed. So unless you want to have a soggy floor (I discovered this fault when changing Harri on the floor and accidentally kneeling in it!) or bed you will need to use some kind of mat protector. In our case (when clearing out the cupboard) I came across a bag of Pampers disposable changing mats (left over from Mimi) which I have been using since. These are great but expensive. I am happy with our new mat however, I am not sure I would have been so happy had I paid full price it.