Penny's 5 month update

Hello, well Penny is almost 6 months now and this is her first update  Sorry about that.  Its so nice to go back and read Reuben's that I'm going to try and do this more regularly.  

Penny is a beautiful, happy baby and she brings me so much joy.  She is very different from her big brother.  She loves breast feeding, cuddling, holding hands. I cuddle her or feed her to sleep which Reuben was never interested in however, she isn't as active and hasn't rolled over yet.  

Weight: 14lb 2oz (last weighed 18 June). Penny is just above 25th centile.  

Height: 67cm (approx not offical measurement)

Clothes: generally 3-6 months, but 6-9 month vests and a couple of tops and trousers.

Feeding: Breast feeding on demand during the day and one feed in the night.  I give her one formula bottle at 5pm, so i know she will take a bottle if we need her to and in the hope that it might make her sleep longer!  I started Penny on first taste purees a week or so ago.  She is doing really well and has eaten everything i've given her so far (which has been apple, pear, banana, mango, baby rice, baby porridge, pea, carrot, parsnip and sweet potato).

Development: Penny likes to do the back arch shuffle.  She can move half way across the room like this. So far she hasn't mastered any kind of rolling yet. She likes to wave her arms when she is excited and giggles if you tickle her. She can reach for and interact with her toys.  She got her first two bottom teeth together at 22 weeks and 3 days.

Activities: I meet up with friends and go to coffee mornings/walks the days that Reuben is in pre school.  I run the toddler group on a Tuesday and Penny enjoys that as she gets lots of attention from other children.  

Here is Penny and Reuben at a similar age.

Favourite things: Sofie the giraffe, dummy and sleepytot, activity gym, Lamaze doll emily, sleepyhead pillow, mamaroo
.

Poo: Averaging 1 to 2 a day.  

Nicknames: Penny Sue, Penny Poo, Pen Pen, Bullseye, Pens

Routine:
6.30am get up
7.30am breastfeed then activity gym/get dressed
8am - fruit puree, baby porridge
8.30am sleep on the way to pre school or in the mamaroo (30 mins)
10.30 breast feed
11.30 nap (30 mins) 
12.30 breast feed
2.00pm nap (30 mins)
3.30 breast feed
4.00pm - nap
5.30pm 6oz formula bottle and vegetable puree 
6.40 - bath 
7.00pm breast feed
7.30pm - sleep in co sleeper (chicco next2me and sleepyhead pillow) - story
7pm - Euan sheep on, night lights on and sleep!
3.30am - breast feed

Purchases: bowls & spoons for weaning

Places we've been: Penny had her first visit to Brixham and i tried to recreate the picture below (although with second child i'm not looking so glam!)

Roo and Mummy in Brixham

Penny and Mummy in Brixham July 15

Other milestones: Two teeth

See you at 6 months!

17 week pregnancy update

Today I am 17 weeks and 4 days pregnant with my second child.  Above is my belly this week, its getting bigger every week. I'm formally only wearing maternity clothes now.  Here is what has been going on this week.

How many weeks? 17
What's going on with baby?: Its about 13cm by now, the size of an onion.  The baby can swallow, suck and blink.
Appointments: I had my 16 week appointment last Tuesday.  It all went well, we got to listen to the baby's heartbeat which was 158bpm.  I had blood taken which is being analysed to find out the baby's blood group as I am rhesus negative.  If the baby is also Rhesus negative then i won't need to have anti-D at 28 weeks.  My blood pressure was 118/68.
Symptoms: Still getting dizzy spells, feels like i may get them throughout this pregnancy.  I have been extra hungry again and tiredness has been creeping in too.
Weight: 132.8lbs
Gain/Loss this week: +1.0 lbs
Total gain: 10.8 lbs
Belly:  36 inches
Sleep: Same as last week really but I've been going to bed a bit later the past few nights so haven't needed a wee in the night!
Movement:  Lots of movement every day now.
Cravings: Nothing specific.
Purchases:  Gina Ford, contented baby and toddler book.
What I'm wearing:  Next maternity jeans and new look t-shirt.
Male or Female?: We don't know the baby's gender yet.
Looking forward to: Seeing my mom this weekend and getting my oven cleaned!

Here is my 17 week pregnancy vlog

See you at 18 weeks
Love Suzanne xxx

16 week pregnancy update

Today I am 16 weeks and 3 days pregnant with my second child.  Above is my belly, this week I feel more fat than pregnant.  Probably has something to do with all the pizza and cake I have been eating!  Here is what has been going on this week.

How many weeks? 16
What's going on with baby?: Its about 12cm by now, the size of an avocado.  In the next couple of weeks the baby's weight doubles (I hope mine doesn't!).  It has grown finger and toe nails.
Appointments: 16 week appointment this coming week.
Symptoms: I've had a few dizzy spells this week again.  I've got my 16 week appointment with my midwife tomorrow so I'm going to ask about it.  I have also been getting a numbness in my toe which isn't bad but a little bit annoying.
Weight: 131.8lbs
Gain/Loss this week: +1.8 lbs
Total gain: 9.8 lbs
Belly:  36 inches
Sleep: I've been waking up around 5am needing the toilet but I've been holding it in as i don't want to wake my son up as he can stir about this time.  This means i effectively don't get back to sleep but at least i am resting.  Roo has been getting up about 6am this past week.
Movement:  More flutterings and definite movement feelings.  Baby is doing a little dance at the moment whilst i am writing this!  It so reassuring.
Cravings: Nothing specific.
Purchases:  None this week.  See i told you i don't buy things every week :-)
What I'm wearing:  New Look reversible jeans i bought last week and a grey t-shirt from Tesco.
Male or Female?: We don't know the baby's gender yet.
Looking forward to: My 16 week appointment with my midwife.

Here is my 16 week pregnancy vlog

See you at 17 weeks
Love Suzanne xxx

15 week pregnancy update - Baby #2

Today I am 15 weeks and 4 days pregnant with my second child.  Above is my belly, it definitely feels like it is growing but I still think i don't look that pregnant!  Here is what has been going on this week.

How many weeks? 15
Weight: 129lbs
Gain/Loss this week: -0.4 lbs
Total gain: 7 lbs
Belly: not measured this week
Symptoms: My hunger has subsided but I'm still eating lots, out of habit and because i enjoy it.  I'm trying to have more fruit than cakes though but the odd Mars bar and packet of Doritos is creeping in.  This week I've really got the nesting bug and been doing a lot of sorting and tidying.  Long may this continue!
Cravings: Pizza, orange juice
Sleep: I get up to go to the toilet about once a night.  It's still ridiculously hot so that has been disturbing my sleep and my son has had a few 5am get ups which can be tough.
Movement:  I have started to feel flutterings but not every day.
Purchases:  I had the luxury of a few hours to myself on Saturday and i headed into town.  I had a lovely couple of hours looking round the shops and I got a couple of maternity things.

New Look Reversible Jeans - £9

Red Herring Grey 3/4 t-shirt - £12

Red Herring Blue & White t-shirt (and nursing top) - £8

What I'm wearing:  New Look vest top and cream linen trousers from Matalan.  Both maternity.
Male or Female?: We don't know the baby's gender yet.
Looking forward to: Getting my hair cut this week.  It's been so long and my roots are awful.  We are going to a family fun day at the weekend with some friends.  There are a lot of people on holiday at my work so i get a car space which I'm so excited about.  I hate getting the bus! I'm also looking forward to sorting out my wardrobe and hanging up my maternity clothes.

Here is my 15 week pregnancy vlog

See you at 16 weeks
Love Suzanne xxx

13 Week Pregnancy Update

Hi everyone, i know it's been ages since ! last posted.  Sorry.

Been so busy with my almost 2 year old and working.  I am going to try and update more especially as we have exciting news...I'm pregnant again and due in January.

Here is my 13 week pregnancy update (and you can also find my 14 week update on my channel as well).  Enjoy!

Love
Suzanne

April Favourites

Here are the products i've loved in April...

1. Boots No 7 Instant Radiance Highlighter £9.95

Quick and easy to apply and gives a nice glow to the skin. I have it on the the photo above.

2. MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre £15

I can't believe that this is my first MAC product.  I find the counters quite intimidating, so i went with a friend for extra confidence.  I'm using this as an eye primer and love the way it evens out the tones on my eyelids as well as helping my shadow stay on longer.

3.Garnier Miceller Cleansing Water £2.99

This is such a bargain, it takes your make up off easily but feels just like water.  It isn't irritating to the skin and is great for using before your cleanser.

4. Joico Body Lux Root Lift £9.99

This gives me volume at my roots and some grit to my hair.  I've only ever used conventional mousse before but i love how the nozzle enables you to put this directly on your roots and i will definitely be repurchasing this one.

5. Dragonfly Vanilla Rooibos tea £1.99

Caffine free and a great addition to my tea collection.  I enjoy these in the afternoon whilst Reuben has a nap. 

6. JME Really Good Rice Pot £38

Designed for the JME at home range, i am really enjoying using this rice pot (and not just for rice).  I pop either rice or pasta into the microwave for a few minutes and when i get back from collecting my son from nursery his dinner is already made.  Brilliant.

7. Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter £8.00
I use this in the shower after my shower gel, it makes a great shaving lotion and gives enough moisturiser that i don't need to moisturise after my shower.  Great all round product and time saver.

Thanks for reading
Suzanne

Battle of the body conditioners.

My new favourite product of 2014 so far, has to be body conditioners. I didn't know what a body conditioner was until a couple of months ago but now i am obsessed. 

I use mine in the shower, after my shower gel.  I put it on whilst standing out of the water and then leave for a couple of minutes before rinsing off.  I've found they have the added bonus of also being a great shaving lotion, so I put on and shave and by the time I've done that it's time to rinse.  After rinsing i get out of the shower, towel dry as normal and then get dressed.  No need to moisturise.

I have to admit being a working mom, I have skipped the moisturising stage over the last year as i just don't have the time. The discovery of body conditioners is something that has literally made a difference to my routine and i don't think i will ever look back.

So which ones have I tried and what are my favourites?

I started with Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner.  I'm a bit obsessed by Lush at the moment and the lady in the shop talked me into trying this and I took away a sample.  I've loved the product but at £15.95 i thought it was a bit pricey, so I went on the hunt for a cheaper alternatives.

That's when i came across the Soap & Glory Whipped Clean shower butter.  This is amazing stuff.  It's definitely my favourite and is the product that has got me hooked on body conditioners.  It smells nutty and leaves a lovely feel to my skin.  

After realising there was no turning back, I went and bought the full size Lush Ro's body conditioner.  Out of all the ones I've tried, this definitely is the most moisturising but I'm not keen on the smell.  So, if i could only buy one it would be the Soap & Glory but I'll probably end up alternating between the two.

In the meantime, I started seeing TV adverts for a Nivea Body Moisturiser.  It seems like the rest of the world was now talking about body conditioners.  They were half price in Tesco last month, so for about £1.60 they were worth a try.  However, I'm not impressed.  They aren't as conditioning and the smell is too Nivea like (if you know what i mean?!).   For now I'm sticking with Lush and Soap & Glory.

Have you tried Body Conditioners?  What do you think?  Let me know if you have a favourite you think i should try.

Cheerio for now
Sx