Gadget ga ga post 1: Gro-swaddle blanket

The Gro-swaddle blanket from the gro company was one of my favourite things I had for my newborn this time around. We just had blankets for my daughter which was fine but I struggled with the swaddling when we brought her home. A friend told me you have to think of it like you're wrapping a fajita which made me laugh... I did used to work in a Mexican restaurant but even those credentials didn't help me!

The swaddling blanket is the easiest thing in the world, you lie your baby down in the middle of the blanket and then there a bottom section you simply fold up over them. You then fold over the sides – first the shorter side, and then wrap over the long side. It is so simple and my baby boy had many a snug sleep in his. I know a lot of people struggle with swaddling, it is great for the baby to feel secure but I could just never manage it. The Gro blanket gave me personally some peace of mind putting my little one down for a sleep and I was always gutted when it had to go in the wash! I had read reviews before I got one and a common complaint had been that the fabric was too stretchy, personally I couldn't see how this was a problem and absolutely loved mine.

It came in a really cute pattern too! It was great for the first couple of months and we have now moved on to sleeping bags. It would be a fantastic baby shower gift for somebody to have ready for their newborn.

NB I have not been payed or sent this item to review, I just love it and wanted to share!

First swim

Today I took my baby boy blue to his first swimming lesson. I was so so lucky to win a years supply of water babies classes, such a fantastic prize! With the second child I don't really have time or money to take him to as many groups so this is fantastic as it is going to be our thing we do the two of us!

I was nervous because he is only 9 weeks but he was allowed to start as he is over 12lb in weight. I was worried he was too young to start but if I didn't take this class I would have been waiting until September and my maternity leave would be slipping away! So off we went and I'm glad we did. It was a really enjoyable bonding experience, after a slight yelp after getting in the water we made it through the class without tears. We bobbed up and down, spun around, splashed and he even had a quick underwater dip. He smiled and relaxed and looked at me as if to say "what on earth is going on here mummy?"

I'm sure we will have our share of less smooth lessons as we go along but I am really looking forward to the next lesson now.

I didn't take my daughter for lessons as they were so expensive but did take her to the pool regularly. She is really confident in water and has so much fun but doesn't really know how to swim or take interest in listening to instructions. I'm hoping these lessons will be a good starting block to getting him swimming and showing me how to help and teach him!

LolliBop Is Coming

I was very excited to receive a press release about LolliBop 2013. We have been for the last 2 years (in rain and shine) and had an absolute ball!

Check out our post after our fabulous day last year:
http://neverboredofbubbles.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/partying-hard-at-sunny-lollibop.html

This year sound set to be bigger and better than ever, and is moving venue to the Olympic Park. The 'Big Bash for Little People' is taking place on August 16-18. Here's a glimpse into what you might find at this years festival (as taken from their press release):

LolliBop Live – playing host to some of the biggest names in kids entertainment, with live music and performances from stars of stage and screen.  Headliners coming soon…

Lollipalladiam - is a live theatre tent showcasing performances from pioneering and internationally renowned companies and artists.

The LolliBop Kitchen where creative little cooks will have the chance to learn new skills from live demonstrations and interactive workshops.

Tween Town will host a number of activities including street dance, hula-hoop, and beat-box workshops.

Imagination Stations - A hub of creativity with lots of mess and mayhem thrown in! From clay modeling, puppet making, customised fashion workshops, balloon modeling, graffiti painting, face painting and much more

Science Zone - Make a rocket, hold a dry ice cube, or get messy with gooey slime in the LolliBop lab - brimming with exploding experiments for pint sized guests to try!

Run wild and have fun in the LolliSports area.  With activities including retro favorites like swingball, hula-hoop and frisbee to football tournaments and sports day style races.

The pre-school 3ft & Under area is also returning, along with theEnchanted Forest and The Village Green with live music, craft stalls and street theatre, making it an ideal spot for a picnic.

Extensive covered buggy parks, baby changing and breast-feeding areas will be available.

For more tickets and more information: http://www.lollibopfestival.co.uk

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Hope to see you there!

2 months today

Never could a baby be so loveable.

He's a chatterbox mimicking sounds and even joining in conversations when you are talking to somebody else.

Almost always has a welcoming smile for you, except when very hungry.

Will sit in his chair patiently waiting while his sister and I have breakfast, hang washing out, get dressed!

Hates his jungle play mat as he seems to feel trapped under all the leaves.

Loves his sisters old pink play mat.

Is already in 3-6 month clothes.

Tries to crawl over my shoulder to get back in the bath - he loves his bath!

Laughs at stripes and his sister spinning round and round.

Loves her reading him one story and then shouts for help (she would happily read him 20).

Loves his nappy mat and staring at the spot lights, which is lucky as we spend a lot of time there.

Spent his 2 month birthday getting immunised (didn't like that so much).

He is so handsome and adorable and I can just tell he has the nicest of nature.

(written by a gushing mum x)

Pizza movie night! Chicago Town Deep Dish Hot Dog Pizzas

At the end of a busy week my daughter and I often reach Friday and decide to snuggle up and have a movie night while we wait for Daddy get home to start the weekend.

We had some Chicago Town Deep Dish Pizzas to try out with our movie this Friday, and boy they were good! I have to admit I am usually more of a thin crust girl but these are delicious. They are not too stodgy and packed to the edges with topping. This is great for kids as they tend to leave the crusts (and that can sometimes mean half the pizza). They are a nice size and you can really have one each. We tried the limited addition hot dog flavour which was scrummy and full of flavour. We also had to try the ham and pineapple as its my daughters favourite!

Mmmmm American style yumminess!

They were delicious baked in the oven but can also be done in the microwave... which was very handy for my other half when he got in late and had to fend for himself!

A great family treat to keep stocked in the freezer, thanks Chicago town was a good start to our bank holiday weekend!!