The ups & downs of 38 week bump

So here I am, only a few days away from 39 weeks and a strange thing has happened... I feel like I am going backwards! My daughter would already have been born by this point and I thought I might find it depressing going over that point but I don't at all, it would have felt too soon really. Last week was my final week at work and I felt really tired and emotional and like I might pop at any moment. I was so relieved to finish and know that I would be closer to home in case anything did happen.

I am now half way through my first week of leave and bump seems to have chilled out and moved up (yes up) again. It looks and feels much higher than it did last week, I am in reverse! Not sure what is going on? Maybe it's the calm of being at home and me enjoying a bit of time with my little girl that has relaxed it. I am comfortable enough at the moment so not too worried but ask me the same question in a week or 3 and we'll see what I say! It's only nights that are the problem with about 4 toilet stops and it takes a lot of effort to get out of my bed... I usually find myself awake from 5am to about 6.30 thinking about baby names. So annoying when you are so tired and trying to stock up that sleep!

At my last midwife appointment they said the head isn't engaged yet but the midwife did say that can happen a lot more suddenly with the second and that you won't notice such a drop. Did anyone else find this with the second child?

I'm off to buy some pineapple juice just for a bit of encouragement anyway. :D x

Review – MaterniCare Pre and Post Natal Nourishing Cream Review

For the last week I have been lucky enough to be testing out MaterniCare, a new pre & post natal nourishing cream.

With a unique blend of rich plant oils and essential vitamins it is designed to nourish and care for your skin as your bump grows and then to support your body as it recovers.

I am now at 37 weeks and I honestly wish I had discovered this cream earlier! It's brand new on our shelves though and I believe being launched in Boots this month.

Aside from the worry of stretch marks, my skin on my ever expanding tummy had been starting to get quite dry – the cold weather probably hasn't helped! As it stretches tighter I've been finding it getting itchy, irritated and generally in need of some loving care!

The MaterniCare cream is a lovely thick smooth cream which really feels like it is nourishing every inch of your skin. It doesn't leave any greasiness - just smoothness and softness. I found it a really relaxing experience applying the cream and have been using it before bed to help me feel calm and replenished. My skin hasn't been dry since using it and so I gave been much more comfortable during the day. I imagine it would go some way to help prevent stretch marks although it's too late in the day for me to probably tell!

They say for best results to apply after soaking the skin. I've not had much time for baths this time around but I know during my first pregnancy (when I wasn't always busy bathing a toddler) it was a frequent routine!

I have tried other creams in the past, one quite expensive which I found light and a bit greasy and other than that I have had cocoa butter. That seems to be what people recommend but for me, after a while, the smell became just too much, you don't want a strong smell when you are using something day to day!! MaterniCare is fragrance free which was a huge plus for me. I want to smell like me, not somebody covered in maternity products!

Here's a bit about what they say about the cream:

Its gentle, hypoallergenic formula is packed full of pro-vitamin B5 – a powerful natural skin healer and protector – as well as almond, avocado and grape seed oils, vitamin E and soothing calendula. Massaging MaterniCare into your breasts, tummy, thighs, hips and bottom twice daily will help keep your skin strong, smooth and supple throughout.


Sounds good? I was lucky enough to be sent this to try for free but I would honestly recommend it, it's has been a big hit with me and with big bump!

Maternity inspiration at Vertbaudet

I have spent many an evening browsing the Vertbaudet website. Usually for clothes for my little girl and often at their gorgeous ranges for children's bedrooms. More recently (due to my current state) my attentions turned to their maternity clothes. Dressing your bump can be a tricky time, not wanting to spend too much on clothes you may never wear again, but at the same time wanting to feel good and feel comfortable. I found the best idea was to invest in a few key pieces, always keeping my eye on the sales sections!

Vertbaudet maternity clothes offer really reasonable value, with the simple effortless style I have come to expect from their ranges. As with their kids clothes, they are practical but also look really good.

Here are a few of my personal top picks!

Jersey Maternity Dress:
http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-dress-navy-stripe.htm?ProductId=009700021&FiltreCouleur=6398&t=1

Maternity Blouse:
http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-blouse-white.htm?ProductId=010000003&FiltreCouleur=6349&t=1

Maternity Tunic:
http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-tunic-brown.htm?ProductId=010000011&FiltreCouleur=6306&t=1

Maternity Jeans:
http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-jeans-85cm-plain-dark-blue.htm?ProductId=018043177&FiltreCouleur=6399&t=1

Maternity Trousers:
http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-trousers-78cm-caramel.htm?ProductId=018040022&FiltreCouleur=6529&t=1

Before & After Sleepwear:
http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-before-after-tunic-leggings-outfit-white-grey-marl.htm?ProductId=020700001&FiltreCouleur=6349&t=1

Vertbaudet also do a swimwear range, being in the water feels great when you're feeling so heavy so a good maternity swimsuit is an essential item! Here's my favourite:

Maternity Swimsuit:
http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/maternity-1-piece-swimsuit-print.htm?ProductId=013003013&FiltreCouleur=6346&t=1

Not too much longer on the maternity clothes for me... I'll be back browsing their baby clothes soon. Have fun dressing your bumps!

Please note this is a featured post but all the ideas and opinions are my own.

Al Fresco 'Young Story Writer of the Year Competition'

Oh I do love a good competition and here is a fantastic one for you, I only wish my daughter was old enough to enter it! Al Fresco holidays are hosting a national 'Young Story Writer of the year' competition. They have teamed up with children's book author, Jeremy Strong, to give children a chance to explore there story telling and writing skills. I love it when competitions are creative and it is a great thing that this one is encouraging children's imaginations in this way. To inspire and get your family started Jeremy Strong has written his very own story 'Joe's Unusual Journey'.

The theme is 'My Fantastic Journey'... going on my daughter's current role play games I'm pretty sure her story would involve a trip to Jupiter with a magical fairy... at three she certainly has the imagination but sadly not the writing skills!

But for anyone with children aged 6 to 12 it's time to get their thinking caps on and let their imaginations run wild! Each day a random entry is uploaded to the kidz blog on the Al Fresco Holidays website and then the top 5 entries will be judged and in with the chance of winning a family holiday to an Al Fresco Parc of their choice. 

With 55 parcs all across Europe this will be a hard choice to make and I'm sure will be a family fun trip of a lifetime. 

Some more details:

The competition is open from the 3rd of February until the 31st of March and is open to children aged six to twelve. Entries must have a word limit of up to 500 words. Further information of the competition can be found on the Al Fresco Kidz blog, along with Jeremy Strong's short story which he wrote exclusively for Al Fresco Holidays, Joe's Unusual Journey. More details are available on their blog: http://blog.thomsonalfresco.co.uk/2013/02/01/young-story-writer-of-the-year-is-back/

So if you are stuck for something to give the kids to do this half term this could be a great idea, you can find the entry form here:

http://blog.thomsonalfresco.co.uk/story-writer-competition/

Good luck!