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…

 

 

 

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.

Me and Mine: A Family Portrait - November

Flat 102 is on the move!

This picture was snapped outside our new home…we're hoping to move in early January so look out for lots of interior design inspired posts soon!

As you can probably tell from my face we are super excited to be on the move.  Our little flat has been home to me for nearly 8 years and has seen me through many ups and downs during that time…more ups than downs thanks to the past few years.  Mr O moved in just after we got engaged 2 years ago and then 7 months ago we brought the little dude home so whilst I am looking forward to more space I will be sad to leave our little home.

Although it doesn't look like it in the picture above, the little dude is also excited…

Me and Mine: A Family Portrait Project - October

How is it November already?

This month I was a little more organised for our me and mine photo after last month's disaster!  Ever since the little dude has come along I have felt a strong urge to continue the traditions that Mr O and I both had in our respective families and to also start some new ones of our own.  Heading to a pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins for halloween is a tradition I hope to continue for many years to come.

 

Wouldn't it be fun to have a a photo like this every year that were put out with our halloween decorations just for the month of October…

Me and Mine: A Family Portrait Project - September

I am ashamed to say that even though I took hundreds of photos throughout September there are only two with all three of us in and both taken on the same day by my parents.

Last weekend we left the little dude for the first time overnight (not on his own of course, Granny and Grandad were left in charge!) the first photo was taken not long after we were all reunited...

Yes I did drag a very hungover Mr O out of bed at 8.30 as I missed the little dude so much!

This picture was taken at lunch where the little dude would have happily tucked into my roast if he had the chance…he had to settle for giraffe!  Look out for adventures in weaning soon.

Whilst we may not look our best, I love the moments they have captured.  Next month I will attempt to be more organised though!

Me and Mine: A Family Portrait Project - August

How on earth is it September already!?!

August was such a fun month and for once I managed to remember to take lots of photos of the three of us which meant I actually had to pick a pic rather than just go with the only photo I had!

My absolute favourite picture this month is this one from our trip to the Mayfield Lavender Farm…you can read all about it here…

Our Weekend: Mayfield Lavender Farm

During our honeymoon road trip around France we were lucky enough to stop of at a couple of gorgeous Lavender Farms and now the smell of Lavender instantly takes me back to those special couple of weeks.

Last weekend we decided to pay Mayfield Lavender Farm a visit and I am so glad we did, once there we could quite easily been right back in Provence.

We got up early to make sure we missed the forecasted showers and were rewarded with beautiful a blue sky interrupted only by the odd perfectly fluffy white cloud.

We were greeted by a concentrated waft of lavender and, possibly, the friendliest car park attendant who instructed us to make sure we ventured up to the back field as it was blooming…and he wasn't wrong.

As you walk towards the second field you can hear the intensity of an odd buzzing growing.  Its only when you arrive there you realise it is the collective hum of millions of bees.  Thankfully they were to interested in the tasty lavender to bother us!

if you look real close you'll spot the bees!

he loves to 'fly', just like a bee!

taken in between trying to prise lavender out of the little dudes hands before it made it into his mouth!

my boys...

he's getting to be so cheeky!

obligatory family selfie with only one person looking at the camera!

my favourite shot of the day

hometime!

If you do pop along I can highly recommend the lavender lemonade…delicious!  We'll definitely be back.