Babies in boxes...

Did you see this article that has been doing the rounds on social media?

source BBC

Every expectant mother in Finland is given a box that contains a 'starter' kit for their baby from the government.  The box can even be used as a bed for the newborn.  I found it really interesting how the contents of the box has changed over the years and has helped to promote breastfeeding, safe sleeping and environmentalism.

Such a lovely idea.

The little dude is also a fan of boxes…

 

 

 

2015…One Word...

This year I have decided to do away with resolutions and instead pick one word to reflect upon over the course of the year instead.  I had had one word swirling around in my head for the latter part of last year, but I didn't really know what to do with it, but then listening to an episode of the Lively Show (if you haven't checked out Jess Lively's podcasts yet…do it…do it now!) Jess mentioned Ali Edwards and her 'One Little Word' project and just like that my word found a meaning.

So my word for 2015…

This little word I hope is going to help me in so many areas of my life.

Me and Mine: A Family Portrait Project - December (and festive round up!)

I took a bit of an unintentional break from blogging over the Christmas period, but I am back and want to capture the little dudes first Christmas before the end of January!  This is a bit of a back to front post as I am starting with Christmas day and working backwards!

We had a lovely Christmas morning just the three of us.  We were all wearing matching pjs (cheesy I know) as we snuggled on the bed opening our stockings.

We then moved into the living room for chocolate panettone and present opening.

After a lazy morning we then packed ourselves up and headed off to my parents for more presents and lunch...

…the little dude was a fan of Christmas lunch!

...bathtime at Granny and Grandads is so much more fun!

…pretty tree lights

On Christmas Eve like many other families we headed outside at 5.22 to see if we could see Santa flying overhead…and we did!  The little dude might be too young to know what is going on, but the other kids from our building still had fun explaining that Santa would be visiting him tonight!

The weekend before Christmas we took the little dude to meet Santa in person at Battersea Children's Zoo.  After an initial panic he seemed to relax, especially once he received his gift…a ring tailed lemur!  Said lemur has not left his side since.

…first time on a swing…he LOVED it!

…checking out the meerkats

It really was the perfect family Christmas season, continuing traditions from both Mr O and my childhoods and creating some new ones of our own…now heres to all the fun 2015 is set to bring.

Christmas at Kew...

Our little flat is looking decidedly un-festive as our Christmas decorations are buried at the back of our storage unit in preparation for the big move so I have been taking every opportunity to feel Christmasy and for the little dude to experience the magic of Christmas.

I had heard great things about the illuminated walk at Kew Gardens form fiends in the past, so what better way to kick of our festive season…the trail is about a mile long and winds it way past some of Kews most famous sites that have been transformed with light...

I was sold at the entrance...

…and so was the little dude!

kisses under the mistletoe...

these were my favourites…

…simply beautiful

the little dude was keen for a ride on the carousel…maybe next year!

Even with the rain it was a truly magical experience.  The trail is open until January 3rd so you still have time to visit.

7 Month Update...

The little dude is 7 months…closer to a his first birthday than to being a newborn.

 

This month has been an exciting one with lots of new developments.  First up we have a tooth!  Whilst there were a few unsettled days and nights in the lead up of said tooth popping through, I think on balance we got away with it pretty lightly.  He's such a strong little fella.

Weaning is going well.  We are still going down the baby led weaning path so not a huge amount is being eaten, but the little dude does seem to be enjoying exploring all the different tastes and textures.  This week it feels as though there has been a bit of a breakthrough and we are seeing some chewing action and I am sure more is being swallowed now.

The crazy little dude has a real love of shaking his head back and forward as if he is saying no, which makes for some very amusing moments as I am talking to him throughout the day!

He's a very curious little thing much like his favourite TV character Curious George.  He doesn't watch a lot of TV, but he does enjoy an episode of Curious George as we wind down towards bath time.  Bath time is a real hoot now as splashing has been discovered and whoever is bathing him tends to end up as wet as him!

I'm so proud of the personality that we see developing before us…we love you more and more everyday little dude.