Baby LegWarmers - For the fashion forward baby & toddler

They are back!! Baby LegWarmers are the latest trend in babywear and mums everywhere are all the rage about them! These fashionable accessories are a must have for the budding fashionista.  They are soft and stretchy enough to fit most newborns and children up to around the age of 8 years. They are great for keeping little footballers' or dancers' legs warm and are available in a wide range of colours and patterns to coordinate with any outfit.

But these handy little things not only add to the gorgeousness of your baby, toddler or child, they are also very practical too!  In winter, it is essential to keep your child warm.  LegWarmers and tights do pretty much the same work, however tights have the disadvantage of having to be pulled up all the time for your active little munchkin! Apart from that, tights press upon the nappy/diaper, causing them to draw moisture up from it and therefore leaving you with an uncomfortable baby or toddler! 

LegWarmers keep the nappy/diaper area loose and free, making them comfortable for the baby or toddler and reducing leaks.  In Autumn and Spring (and even possibly in Summer) you can dress your baby in just a vest and these cute little things. They do the double duty of keeping your child warm, and protecting their knees from the harsh cold floors whilst leaving the feet to grip the floor. They are even perfect for baby's nudie-bum time! :)

Clothes and Nappy/Diaper changing will become a breeze with these on. They will keep your child warm during the process, and you can possibly be in for less of a struggle during changing time. For the older toddler, they are a must have for potty training!

They can be worn on the arms as well as the legs and they are very small and convinient to slip a pair into your handbag before going out.

Baby LegWarmers are for both girls and boys and most brands can fit a child from 0-8 years of age, so the money spent on them will go a long way! There are many brands to choose from, some of which also carry an organic range for the health conscious parents out there!

However, if your baby/tot has skinny legs, these could slip off (depending on which brand you choose).  The best remedy for this is to use socks underneath the baby leg warmers, which helps to hold them on. They will still slip down below the knees at times, which can be an issue if you're outside in the cold.

Tiffany has been happily wearing Baby LegWarmers as of this winter! They are very comfortable, keep her cozy and she never tires of looking at the different colours and patterns! She gets excited when it is time to wear them, which is saying a lot about the girl that wouldn't pass a second glace at any form of shoes, socks or anything that hugged her legs, feet or arms, not too long ago! Our favourite brand is BabyLegs and we have a couple of Huggalugs in our collection too.  Both of these are very popular brands that are made of high quality materials that seem to last and do well so far in the washing machine, despite being washed over and over!

Baby LegWarmers are definately a must have accessory for all the fashion forward babies & toddler out there!! :)

Any Questions? Email me here!

Soothing teething pains with Sophie the Giraffe

Teething is one of the great milestones of your baby’s development and memories of your baby's first big toothy grin will be treasured forever. Some babies sail through the process and are showing off their first teeth before you know it, but for others it can be a more uncomfortable time, causing distress to both you and your baby.  During this time, it is important that you offer your child safe items to chew on to relieve their urge to bite.

Tiffany cut her first tooth at 10months, though she had been experiencing symptoms of teething on and off from around 5 months old! (Poor us!!)

Little miss would chew on anything she could get her hands on...chew toys, books, the remote control, her fingers, my fingers, her daddy's fingers...but nothing seemed to comfort her and she would end up feeling very frustrated and upset!

One day I came across this little rubber chew toy on an online store and decided to give her a try.  She is called Sophie the Giraffe (picture below) and I am so glad to have found such a perfect chew toy! You may think Sophie looks like your average rubber giraffe toy, but she is actually an angel in diguise ;)

Sophie was first created in France in 1961 and has been a favourite toy in Europe ever since.  Her flexible, renewable, natural rubber materials and non-toxic paint mean Sophie the Giraffe is a safe and all-natural teething toy for your little one.  Sophie was designed to stimulate the senses and soothe sore, teething gums. Mothers recognize the benefits of this little giraffe almost immediately! Soft, light and easy to grasp, Sophie is perfect for little hands to hold and easy on aching gums. She even makes a delightful "squeak" when squeezed which can't help but bring a smile to any infant's face.

Here is a summary of Sophie's good points:

• Natural Rubber is safe for baby to teethe & chew.
• Lightweight & easy to grasp for tiny hands.
• Painted with non-toxic, food-grade paints.
• Stimulating to a baby’s senses with her soft colors & gentle squeak.
• Sophie the Giraffe is Phthalate-Free with NO Vinyl (no-PVC) and BPA free 
• Bumpy head helps soothe sore, teething gums.  
• Slender, flexible & soft - babies love manipulating & teething Sophie.
• Hand-made in France, Sophie the Giraffe is a classic!

Our Sophie

Tiffany has been a huge fan of Sophie from the first time she took her out of her box! She loves chewing on Sophie's soft flexible legs and making her squeak! It's amazing just how much fun a little rubber giraffe can be to a one year old! She even has the special privilage of being taken to the cot during bedtime! But the most important thing is that teething has not been such an uncomfortable milestone for us since the arrival of Mademoiselle Sophie.

I must admit, it isn't the cheapest chew toy around (since it is hand-made and hand painted), but the advantages really do outweigh the disadvantages in regards to this timeless creation! Sophie is our hero!

To see more reviews on Sophie the Giraffe or to purchase this lovely teething aid, click on the below link:

BPA - three letters that cause concern

BPA or Bisphenol-A, is a chemical that has been used for more than 40 years in the manufacture of many hard plastic food containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups and the lining of metal food and beverage cans, including canned liquid infant formula.  

In 2002, approximately 2.8 million tons of bisphenol A (BPA) was produced globally. You can't smell, taste or see it but it is so common in society that you will come into contact with it every day. A recent study found that 95% of adults tested had BPA present in their urine.  Everyone is exposed to it!

What are the dangers for children?

Bisphenol A is one of the most extensively tested materials in use today and has been researched and studied for over 40 years. However, it is only in the last 10-15 years that concerns have been raised over its safety, particularly during pregnancy and for young babies.

Frederick vom Saal, a biology professor at the University of Missouri at Columbia, stumbled onto BPA in 1997 while studying foetal development, and has spent the last 10 years researching the effects during pregnancy and on young children.

Prof Saal says, "The foetus and infant are exquisitely sensitive to bisphenol A. One hit during a brief window of time can influence future development."

• Future fertility - Prof Saal found that BPA passes through the placenta from mother to baby, mimicking the behaviour of the natural hormone oestrogen. Even low levels of exposure while the baby is developing can cause lasting changes in reproductive and metabolic development.
• Behavioural problems - Several studies have found that Bisphenol A at extremely low levels causes changes in brain structure and behavior in rats which scientists argue show the same reaction in humans.
• Cancer - some studies have found that early exposure to BPA during infancy increases the risk of breast and prostate cancer in later life.

What can I do to keep my child safe?

Paediatrician Harvey Karp, M.D., a board member of Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit group that raises awareness about environmental toxins says, "There's no need to be frightened, but you should try to reduce your baby's exposure to this chemical." Jo Behm, a registered nurse with the Learning Disability Association adds, "Where it is possible to find safer alternatives, head there!" Some simple things you can do include;

• Avoid hard polycarbonate plastic, which contains BPA. Instead, use bottles made of glass, or softer, safer plastics made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyamide. There are many brands that carry BPA free bottles.
• Discard worn bottles (those that are cloudy or scratched): Chemicals leach into food more easily when plastics break down.
• Do not fill bottles with boiling water
• Don't leave plastic baby bottles in hot cars or direct sunlight

source

Krispie Chicken Nuggets - A recipe for kids (& their parents)

Not only are these much healthier to give your kids than the shop bought kind, they are also much tastier and much easier to make than you think.  Excellent finger food for kids. Try it! :)

Ingredients

350 g (12 oz) skinless and boneless chicken breasts (approx. 3 chicken breasts), cut into (bite-size) 2.5 cm (1 in) pieces

4 tbsp sunflower oil, for frying

Marinade

200 ml (7 fl oz) buttermilk

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp soy sauce

1/4 tsp paprika

Coating

100 g (3 1/2 oz) plain flour

1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water

75 g (2 1/2 oz) dry breadcrumbs or honey panko breadcrumbs

45 g (1 1/2 oz) freshly grated Parmesan

salt and pepper, to season

Method

Combine the marinade ingredients and soak the chicken pieces for 2 hours.

Put the flour on a large plate. Beat the egg with the water in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Mix the breadcrumbs and Parmesan together on a large plate. Remove chicken cubes from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and toss them in the flour. Then dip the cubes in the egg mixture and roll in the breadcrumbs to coat.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan and sauté the chicken nuggets for 2–3 minutes each side until golden and cooked through, turning occasionally.

Alternatively, pre-heat oven to 200ºC/400ºF/Gas 6. Put the chicken nuggets on a generously oiled large baking sheet and bake for18–20 minutes, until the coating is crisp and the chicken cooked.

While the nuggets are baking you can whip up these easy dips, by simply mixing the ingredients together in a bowl:

BBQ dip

6 tbsp tomato ketchup

2 tbsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp soy sauce

2–3 drops Tabasco sauce (optional)

Honey-mustard dip

4 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tsp wholegrain Dijon mustard

1 1/2 tsp clear honey

1 tsp cold water

Information

MAKES 4 PORTIONS

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

If you are interested in purchasing a book from the Annabel Karmel range, click here

(Source: annabelkarmel.com)

Yummy Chicken Curry for Kids!

This is one of our favourite chicken recipes! And it's also very easy to make!
(Please remember that stock cubes are best not used for children under 1 year of age, and above 1, it is best to go for a low salt kind).

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 small carrot cut into matchsticks
1 medium apple, peeled and thinly sliced
2 chicken breasts cut into bite sized chunks
1 tbsp Korma curry paste
1/2 tbsp mango chutney
1 tbsp tomato puree
100g frozen peas
150 ml coconut milk
1 chicken stock cube dissolved in 150 ml boiling water
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan and sauté the onion and carrot for 3 minutes.Add the garlic and sauté for half a minute. Then add the apple and stir fry for 3 minutes. Add the chicken and stir fry for 4 minutes
Add the Korma curry paste, mango chutney, tomato puree, frozen peas, coconut milk and chicken stock and simmer for about 10 minutes. Season to taste.

Information:

Suitable for freezing
MAKES 2 PORTIONS

If you are interested in purchasing any book from the Annabel Karmel range, click here

Welcome to "Recipe Sundays"

Recipe Sundays starts from today!! :)

From now on, I hope to share with you a different (kid-friendly) recipe every Sunday! All recipes will be tried and tested to be delicious, healthy & easy to make!

And to kick off the very first Recipe Sunday is the following post...

The latest addition to our zoo...

...is this adorable little fellow! Introducing my daughter's first backpack! She may not be able to wear it for a while, but it sure does come in handy for long car trips and when out and about, to store food, drink, and some things to keep her busy!  I must say, I think he is quite the stunner, but hands off ladies, this owl is taken!! hahaha isn't he a button??! :)

Walk this way baby!

Woohoo! Tiffany is finally OFFICIALLY walking on her own as of this week...or, I should say, she has finally gained the courage to walk on her own as of this week! Little miss has been standing up and 'cruising' since she was just 6 months old (she has always been an impatient little thing!) but by no means would she let go and try to walk on her own! So no doubt, I am the happiest mummy on earth this week now that my little cupcake has reached this important milestone!

All excited, I decided the time had come to buy some shoes for my little tot's feet and to finally get her accustomed to walking with shoes on. I must add that, to date, little miss has refused to wear any form shoes for more than 5 seconds! Any attempt to make her wear shoes would always result in her crying hysterically followed by her flinging the pair as far away as she possibly can! She would do the same with her socks too if she didn't have her sock-ons on (marvellous invention)! In fact if I forget to put the sock-on's on her socks she takes them off and not only that, she then hides them.  And don't think she just hides them anywhere, oh noooo, she puts them in places where I wouldn't dream of looking.. I have found socks, under mattresses, under the sofa, in plastic containers in the back of the bottom cupboards. It's just amazing how crafty she can be when she wants to...and she's barely a year old! hmmm

So I've done a bit of reading up on the subject of buying shoes for toddlers, and I was amazed to read so much conflicting information.  However, the majority of paediatricians recommend flexible leather-soled shoes for their flexibility (but preferably non slip socks or barefoot) till the age of 2. So after much deliberation, I bought her the following pair from Pediped.  Aren't they adorable? Now to convince the little miss....

For those interested in reading up on the subject here is a link that might interest you:
http://www.babyzone.com/baby_toddler_preschooler_health/worry/article/are-toddler-shoes-necessary

Shoo flu, don't bother me!

Doesn't it just suck when you are stuck indoors with the flu or a cold? Doesn't it suck even more when you are sick with the flu or a cold and have a baby or toddler to take care of, but haven't the strength to do it because you are sick and really need someone to take care of YOU instead? And how much more does it suck when said baby or toddler catches the flu or cold from you whilst you are doing your utmost to take care of him/her in your feeble state?

Yeah, well the above pretty much sums up what the past two weeks were like for us... and boy, those two weeks sure sucked and big time! Poor little princess caught the flu from me and we were both sickies and feeling yucky! Talk about taking a trip to guilt town!! I swear, nothing feels worse to me then when the fact that little chick is sick is my own fault!

Drowned in my own guilt, and in an effort to make my princess feel all better, I did some googling and came across this link for some med-free home remedies:
parentsconnect.com/parenting-tips/home-remedies-for-the-common-cold.jhtml

Oh yes, I know the title says remedies for the common cold, but the remedies are just as good with the flu (tested and proven!) These home remedies basically ease the symptoms associated with a cold or the flu in a totally natural way. That said, you may still  need to visit your doctor especially if kiddo has a fever.

Another interesting link is the following.  Read what Dr Sears has to say about boosting your child's immune system here:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp

On a more positive note, we are all better now and here is a little photo to prove it:

I wish you all good health! Keep well!

X

Our Pet Ladybug! Isn't it the cutest?!

For her first birthday last December, little chick was lucky enough to recieve one of these cute little critters from her auntie Dee. Isn't he just adorable?? We have named the little guy "Bugg" and is currently little miss' favourite toy! Everywhere she ventures to, Bugg will have to go (whether he wants to or not! haha). As far as pets go, this one doesn't eat, sleep or poop making it a mama's ideal pet! Nor does it get dizzy from all the times it goes around the sofa and it has the ability to wear an energetic little toddler out! Woohoo! This one is definitely a keeper :)

I [heart] my tub!

I use the term ‘my’ very loosely here, as I can hardly fit a leg and arm into it, let alone have a good ol’ soak in it!! :) In fact, the only reason why I say that this tub is mine, is quite simply, because I paid for it! But that’s where we draw the line.  This funky looking tub from Hoppop, called the Bato+, actually belongs to little miss, whose tolerance for being in bath water has doubled in time (which also means she gets more tired during her pre-bedtime bath and sleeps earlier! Did i mention how much I love this tub??).  Perhaps the reason she is enjoying her baths all the more is due to this wonderful invention having a double wall, and therefore the water temperature inside the bath stays warmer for longer!

The bato+ comes in a choice of fun colours including lime (as seen above), fuchsia and aqua. It has high walls making it perfect for toddlers and looks very much like a modern Victorian tub.  It can be used for babies too, though from my experience I feel there are better baths out there suited babies that cannot yet support themselves.  It is very sturdy and surprisingly not as heavy as it looks.  Unfortunately though, you can’t have too much of a good thing, and this tub does have a flaw. One of the main problems of this tub is that the bottom is quite slippery.  This problem is easily fixed by sticking some anti-slip bath mats to the bottom.
This tub, although not the cheapest around, has been worth every cent and is, in our opinion, the perfect toddler bath!

Tiffany's Favourite Books!

I have, from as early on as I can remember, had this deep passion for books! It was of no doubt that once my little chick made her grand debut, I didn’t waste any time in building her first little library.
And as it turns out, little chick loves books too! Everyday, she spends hours going through all the pages of ALL her books (after pulling them off her shelf and then dumping and scattering them all around the living room floor mind you!) and starts “reading” her own made up story. It’s so cute to watch her. Though, I must add, her defination of ”loves books” also includes gnawing at them, especially when she thinks mummy isn’t looking. When I catch her gnawing at the chosen victim of the day our conversation would go something like this: “Tiffany don’t bite the book!” Tiffany would look at mummy with those big innocent eyes and reply with a reassuring ”no no no no” as if to say, “Who? Me?? Chewing a book?! you must be insane, mummy!!” Then I would say to her: ”That’s a good girl!” Then she would start clapping at herself for being such(!!) a good girl, and as I turn my back I find her gnawing at it again. Sigh! A parent is forever learning though…from now on only board books are allowed to enter the threshold of our home, as they are the only sort that will have a chance of lasting more than a couple of hours with my little bookworm.
Anyway, I’d like to share with you a few of our favourites from the bunch:

Guess how much I love you by Sam McBratney

This is such a heart warming book and I really enjoy reading this to Tiffany, especially before bedtime. It’s about a little nutbrown hare that wants to impress his parent (big nutbrown hare) with the enormous scale of his devotion, but ends up being the one who is impressed. The story, which depicts the unconditional love a parent has for his/her child, is based on a conversation between little and big nutbrown hare before little nutbrown hare goes to bed one evening. It is a very sweet story that really gives a good tug on the heartstrings.  It ends with big nutbrown hare telling his child that s/he loves him/her all the way to the moon and back! If you wish to buy this book click here

On the Night you were born by Nancy Tillman

This has got to be my top favourite children’s book! The first time I read it, I admit I started chocking up and had to stop! It is such a touching and meaningful tale. The story is about a parent telling the child just how special s/he is and how the whole world rejoiced on the night s/he was born.  Here is a caption taken from the book:

“On the night you were born,
the moon smiled with such wonder
that the stars peeked in to see you
and the night wind whispered,
“Life will never be the same.”
Because there had never been anyone like you….
ever in the world” …

To purchase this wonderful book click here

The very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle

You may remember this classic from back when you were a child. 40 years from its original publication, this story still remains a favourite with children.  Its story is a simple one.  A caterpillar “pops” out of its egg and looks around for some food.  Though the hungry guy has unusual taste in food, infact he prefers food that children eat… I mean, who would want to eat leaves every day, right? After eating holes through all the pages in the book, the poor fellow gets a stomach ache and goes back to eating leaves again. By then he has become a big fat caterpillar.  He then builds a cocoon around itself and after staying in there for two weeks, he nibbles a hole in the cocoon, pushes his way out and emerges as a beautiful butterfly.
Not only is the story really fun to read, but the holes in the book make it all the more interesting for kids, not to mention the colourful illutrations that capture the child’s attention. Not only that, you can teach your child the days of the week and numbers from this story! If you wish to buy this book, click here