Tub-time fun!

Tub-time in our house is fun time! It means lots of toys, lots of splashes, but best of all, lots of giggles. These are some of our favourite bath time essentials...

1. Oball Store and Explore - Tubby Scoop Friends
   This fun bath set will provide hours of fun. The cute whale stores the starfish, turtle and octopus toys. The whale has holes in its base and your bubs will have great fun filling and refilling to watch the shower. I bought ours from Baby City.
   
2. Playgro Duckie
   This traditional little bath toy is still a major hit with my little man. It is great for him to hold and squeeze...and chew on, of course! I bought ours at Clicks.
   
3. Kneepal
   Do your knees a favour! The Kneepal has been ergonomically designed to support your back and comfort your knees. It is also great for gardening or DIY and would make a great gift. We got ours from a local store called Bump & Beyond.
   
4. ClevaMama Bath Mat
   This extra long mat has suction cups to hold it firmly in place. It is nicely cushioned and adds a little bit of security if you have a wriggler like mine! It also comes with a knee cushion which is always handy. I bought ours from Baby City.
   
5. Munchkin Sea Squirts
   This pack of 5 bright and colourful characters definitely make bathtime fun. They are easy for your little one to grasp and are available online at Baby Group.

What are your little ones favourite bathtime toys?

Autumn at Ackermans

Sorting through my son's wardrobe made me realise just how many of his clothes are "expiring" soon! This little guy is growing so beautifully and I guess a part of me was in denial that he is now more of a little boy than a baby. All those clothes that seemed "so big" are being worn now and we are ready to get into the 12 -18 month category.

On the plus side, it gave us an excuse to do a little shopping...and we always have fun! We were quite lucky at the Woolworths sale with some PJ's, shoes and tees, and also at Ackermans. Their Autumn and Winter outfits for boys are really great and come at a decent price tag without scrimping on the quality. The items above ranged from R49.99 to R129.99. My little guy even picked the jersey himself (ie: he grabbed it over the side of the trolley and wasn't letting go!)

It feels a bit crazy buying warm wear on a 37º day, but around here the weather can be unpredictable and the cold weather may be just around the corner. At least my little man will be snug and stylish when the cold does arrive.

Grubs up!

Moving onto solids starts a whole new chapter for both mum and bubs. There are some great gadgets available to make the transition fun and easy. This list showcases some of my favourites, especially if you choose to make your own food...

1. Mini Chopper CH550 - Kenwood
   This mini chopper makes pureeing an absolute breeze. I cook/steam my bus fruit or veg, pop it in here and within minutes have a smooth puree ready to go. A choice of two chopping speeds and simple, push-down operation make it very easy to use and the double blades chop quickly, with great results every time. An added bonus is that it is very quick and easy to wash too. Available from Checkers
   
   
2. Freezer Tray - Clicks
   This weaning freezer tray has 8 individual cube pots which are the ideal portion size for purees or first foods when weaning your baby. Easy to store and convenient to use, the cubes can be stored individually in the freezer or together in the tray. Every day after breakfast we choose our next breakfast, lunch and supper and pop them in the fridge ready for meals the following day. Suitable for dishwasher use (top rack only). Available from Clicks
   
   
3. White Hot Spoons - Munchkin
   Munchkin’s innovative White Hot Safety Spoons can help make those first feedings a breeze. Simply dip the tips of the spoons in heated pureed baby food to check if it’s too warm. If the tip turns white, the food is too hot. Wait for it to cool, dip again, and if the tip is no longer white – voila! You can feed your little one without worrying about a thing. Suitable for dishwasher use (top rack only).
   Available from Spar and Baby City
    
4. Sippy Cup - Brother Max
   The easy-hold first cup has four ways to use it.  In the first stage mode, with wrap-around handles and easy-flow drinking spout, your little one can pick up however feels natural and sip with ease.  The close-&-go sipper spout is perfect for drinks on-the-go. Once older and more confident, the handles and lid can be removed and the cup becomes a beaker.  Also available in Pink/Green. Available from Clicks
   
   
5. Weaning Bowl Set - Brother MaxI just love these bowls from Brother Max. The range is bright, fun and colourful but, most importantly, very practical! If your little bubs is anything like mine he is always on the move. He always has his own spoon and makes a quick grab for the bowl every now and then. The nifty handle has definitely rescued some potentially messy lunch escapades! The bowls are BPA free, dishwasher and microwave-safe and are available in blue/green or pink/orange. Available from Clicks
   
   
6. Fresh Food Feeder - Munchkin
   As a first time mom some things can be scary. This little gizmo helps you feed your baby, without worrying about choking. Just pop a piece of fruit or vegetable into the mesh bag, close it and let your baby chew, suck and benefit from all the whole food goodness and taste. The mesh allows only the tiniest, easy-to-digest particles to come through. Fair warning...it can get messy...but that is half the fun! The handle is easy for baby to grip and gives them the experience of feeding themselves. Available in blue/green or pink/orange. Available from Spar and Baby City

MY TOP 5 STROLLER ESSSENTIALS

The more organised I am, the happier both me and my little bubs are. Babies soon learn what being put in the car seat means and the more efficient I can be, the smoother the trip goes.

These are my 5 top tried-and-tested stroller essentials that I am never without:

1. Muslin Squares - George
   These light cloths are perfect for light cover of your little one or to keep the sun out. Easy to wash and can be tumble dried they are super convenient. I initially bought mine in the UK but Game Stores now stock a small selection of baby goodies from the UK brand, George
   
2. Lilly Lamb Stroller Toy - Tiny Love
   This little jittery lamb is fun to pull and touch. With bright colours and scrunchy legs she keeps a little one entertained. Available online from Baby Group
   
3. Pram Pegs - All 4 Ella
   These great clips hold the blanket in place on your stroller or car seat. They are available in a number of fun colours. Order yours online from Babies n Cream
   
4. Stroller Hook - Munchkin
   This oversize and nifty hook makes for easy grocery shopping. The grippy rubber sleeve protects your stroller and helps keep the hook from sliding around. Available in a variety of colours from Baby City
   
5. Stroller Bag Grips - JJ Cole
   These are the perfect solution to attach your diaper bag to your stroller. Not only safe and secure but it is very convenient to grab a toy or your wallet when needed. They simply loop over the strollers handle and have quick release clasps to attach your bag. Available from Baby City or Amazon
   

What are your essential goodies and gadgets?
 

My Busy Little Boy

So my little 8 month old is a really busy little guy. His motto is currently "why lie when you can sit, why sit when you can stand!" He is pulling himself up to standing on anything solid and crawling around quite contentedly.

Whilst I am thrilled at these milestones, it does make for a challenging day as I cant take my eyes off him for a minute. That is why we have ordered a playpen for him. In fact we have ordered two which can be joined, giving him a wonderfully big and, most importantly, safe play area. I can't wait for it to arrive! It means just that little bit of freedom to be able to leave him long enough to make a cup of tea...ahhh!

The play pen is natural wood and the flooring I am laying down are the interlocking foam squares. I want to put a cushion or beanbag in the playpen for him too so that if he wants a little rest or just to chill quietly he can do that. In this search I have come across these great options I thought I would share. Now how to decide...

These floor cushions are from Zana in Cape Town. 

They are screeenprinted and washable and great for kids or pets. 

Baa Baa Blacksheep has a selection of beanbags that can be customised.

This crocheted floor cushion is from Mono Online Shop and is made by Pomme Pomme. These colours would be perfect for a little girls room.

Little Love Kids have these fun round floor cushions in lovely fabrics.

Sophie La Girafe

 At six months old my little man is showing some signs of teething and I want to try to make this process as comfortable for him as possible. Thats where Sophie La Girafe comes in! She is a sweet little giraffe with big black eyes and rosy cheeks revealing a cheerful little smile.

This little giraffe was born in France on May 25th 1961.  She is made from 100% natural rubber derived from the latex of the Hevea tree. She was one of the first toys to be created in such an exotic design.

The rubber has a unique smell and is totally soft and pliable. Sophie lets out a little squeak when squeezed which gets my little man smiling every time. He is also able to hold her very easily and enjoyed chewing on her from the very first minute.

The only negative so far is the rather heavy price tag but if it brings him comfort I will pay it again and again! I bought mine online from The Baby Group.

Naartjie Kids: Spring

Naartjie Kids spring range is now available in store and is a gorgeous combo of pastels and denim. Shop in store or online here.

Mr Price August Haul

Mr Price has got some super cute gear for littlies. I bought this stash from their online store. The delivery was swift and efficient and I didnt even have to get out of my slippers!

1.  Striped Shorts - R69.99
2.  Printed Golfer - R49.99
3.  Denim Joggers - R109.99
4.  2 Pack Long Sleeve T-shirts - R49.99
5.  Printed t-shirt - R35.99
6.  Printed Shorts - R79.99

Grubs up!

I have done a lot of reading on when to start solids and SA certainly has a very different concept to the UK. Here most babies are started on rice cereal at around 3-4 months. In the UK baby-lead weaning is followed by most mums. 

What is baby-led weaning? It is forgetting about weaning spoons and purees and letting your baby feed himself. This is encouraged from 6 months onwards and has babies eating proper food with you, exploring naturally by themselves. 

So which is right? Unfortunately babies don't come with a manual and we simply need to listen to our maternal instincts and our babies. 

I decided to do purees but to start them later. I tried rice cereal at first as it is meant to be the least allergenic and easy on baby's tummy, but my little bubs had a terrible reaction. One brand gave him a rash and another brand had him projectile vomiting! ...not pretty when it happens in a car seat a couple of hours later! I decided to scratch this step and a just doing veggies. I do one veggie for three days to make sure there is no reaction and then try a new one the next day. I steam, blitz and sieve and feed him no more than 2 teaspoons. I plan on starting to leave some texture now as he is swallowing like a little champ. So far we have tried: sweet potato, butternut, carrots, mushy peas and baby marrow. The clear winner so far...carrots! I'm raising a rabbit!

Two lessons learnt quickly: 
1. You can never have too many bibs
2. Butternut stains

Game has started stocking some great baby brands and I bought a set of 3 Playtex bowls and set of 4 Playtex weaning spoons from there. I also picked up a set of 5 bibs that are the UK brand George for R70.  

The Little Company

The Little Company is an online store offering quality baby and toddler clothing made locally, in Durban. Their fabrics and patterns are all about comfort and style. They have some gorgeous combos that are sure to make your little bubs look and feel great. With a great selection of girls clothes, boys clothes and accessories there is something for everyone.  Follow them on Facebook to be informed of their sales.