Little Man, Big Wardrobe: Zara

When the little wolf was three months old I was having difficulty squeezing his sizable behind into trousers. Don't give him too much of a hard time, it's pretty padded back there with a nappy and his culo isn't any bigger than it should be! Why, dear God why, do the children's clothes factories churn out baby trousers without room for the nappy? I mean, isn't that an obvious part of the design?

Then, in a desperate search for leggings which are quite common for little boys to wear in Oz, I popped my head in at Zara kids. And what a wonderful time I had buying up half the store. My favourite purchase was these lighting bolt leggings which are super comfy and just about the cutest thing ever. Last week, I took a chance and went back for more in a larger size and to my delight I got some! So the little wolf will be sporting the bolts for some time yet.

Do yourself a favour and walk straight past those rows of baby jeans and cord trousers which are torture to put on a baby and help your little person slide into a pair of Zara leggings.

 

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Mother's Day...

Today is Mother's Day for me (in Australia)...my first Mother's Day! And I'm lucky enough to have my mum here staying with us this year as well...pavlova is cooking in the oven to celebrate of course! (Don't worry, I had no hand in it so it should be okay)

So just a quick post to mark this day and all the joy our little guy has brought us in the last six months. Whoever said your life is over once you have kids, couldn't have been more wrong. In many ways it feels like life is just beginning! The days of cafes, vodka shots and dancing till your feet hurt aren't over, they just have to be more carefully planned..and let's face it at 30-something, we don't want to dance till our feet hurt too often anyway, with or without a child to think about. I'm reminded of how often in recent years me and the girls have walked right past that loud club to the cosy looking cafe nearby and settled in for a steaming hot cup of tea and good old gossip fest.

Okay so, things that currently cause me to go all gooey inside...seeing O's eyes light up just before his mouth cracks a killer smile, how he looks at me with such excitement in his eyes when his Papi is making him laugh...it's like he's saying 'my goodness mama, can't you see how funny this guy is?!', that moment right before he sleeps when he curls his face into a blanket and, my morning 7.40am alarm clock of uncontrollable smiles.

Here's some of my favourite pics of late...and to all the yummy mummies out there, Happy Mother's Day! And to all the lovely couple's out there I know that want more than anything, their own pint-sized alarm clock, but for whatever reason haven't been able to just yet - my thoughts and hopes are with you today as well.

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Makeovers! Hair and Web

As promised here are the pics of the new hairstyle that came from a moment of courage. Also because something else they don't tell you is that a few months after giving birth your hair starts falling out in clumps! Much easier to manage with short hair so keep it mind if you're female and planning to balloon up any time soon.

So unfortunately I haven't gotten around to actually taking a sensible photo but as some of you are bugging me for pics, I've found some paparazzi (DH) shots below. Ignore the fact that my roots are begging for some blonde and let me know what you think.
 

  

Also let me know what you think of the makeover the blog has been given! I'm summoning all my old html coding skills to try and make some magic.

The cafe in the pic is Dreams cafe in Lanzarote. You can read my review of it here.

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Breastpads and Earl Grey Tea

If you had of asked me if I wanted anything from London a few years ago I doubt my response would have been for breastpads and Earl Grey tea! Think about all the wonderful things I could get from London…oh how the times have changed. As friends and family come to visit us here in Lanzarote they inevitably ask if we would like them to bring us any treats and it turns out these two items are the only two I am desperate for.

The breast pads because they are insanely, stupidly expensive here and the tea because we haven’t been able to track it down and if we ever did, I’m sure it too would be a ludicrous price.  All that to say that I think it’s quite funny how priorities change in the different seasons of life.

So as I have noted my change in requests from London it makes me think that I have to be careful to not become a person that loses touch with the things that I loved before this new (amazing!) season began. Just because I have a baby now doesn’t mean I forget my own wardrobe while I’m funnelling all my attention on making him look cute. No, mum’s and dad’s there is no need to forget our own hopes and desires. Actually I think it’s really important FOR my son that I don’t neglect these things because more than anything I am one of the most important role models he has in life. I want him to see me enjoying things and people, feeling good about myself and finding joy in discovering new things. And yes, he should know that his mother loves the spa and deserves to be pampered there…OFTEN.

Lots of days I have big bags under my eyes from lack of sleep the night before and here on the island makeup melts off your face so there’s no quick cover up option but I am slowly getting myself back into shape post baby and the sunshine days have given me a tone I couldn’t paint on.  And so to further aid my commitment to being “young”, free and in love (with my two guys now),  I have made an executive decision to chop my hair short! I’ll post a pic of the result whether it’s good or bad…it’s only hair – it will grow back. And next time someone asks me what I want from London I will consider something a little more exciting than breastpads and tea. 

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Spa days

Every Wednesday I go to the thermal spa. Yes, it is a luxury and yes I will miss it greatly when I return to London and the price to visit a spa quadruples.  And so it is for this reason I set about researching the health benefits of this little luxury so I can justify forking out a little extra cash for it on our return.

Well it turns out the spa is more than just a relaxing place to chill out for an hour or so before I hightail it back home to what is very likely to be a hungry little boy waiting to eat. Not a surprising fact – why else would the Romans have built an entire city around a hot spring and called it Bath? I’ve found it is actually an investment in your health, as much as if not more than some other exercise options. Here are some examples of how, which I found while starting to build my case for further visits to the spa.

The sauna: Sitting (or lounging to be accurate) in these little heated rooms after you’ve splashed some essential oil over yourself does more than just relax you. It causes your body temperature to increase and this has a few helpful benefits. One is that toxins and waste are expelled from your body through sweat and apparently not only from your skin but also from the metabolism of your organs. Sounds scary but basically means you get a deep cleanse of your whole body. Also when you’re in there your body is tricked into kind of thinking it has a little fever because your skin temperature has risen and it reacts to this by boosting your immune system which can help you avoid the coughs and colds of winter – ahem, Londoners…this is our perfect excuse!

The water stuff: So my spa has two pools, one is a jacuzzi and the other is a larger pool with a series of pressurized water jets for the various parts of your body. Essentially you are having an underwater massage. There are countless health benefits from massage itself but one of the biggies is stress reduction. Now I can’t claim to be under a large amount of stress here on the island but we are building a case for when I return to work in London remember. Warm water massage releases endorphins and increases blood circulation which help our bodies deal with pain, stress and emotional issues – hence the stress relief but this also helps with headaches and general aches and pains of which I can assure you I have many! Carrying around a seven kilo little guy all day means you crawl into bed each night with a certain dull ache in your back. And that’s supposedly another benefit of the water – better sleep!

I’m also told that the pressure from the water jets can do wonders for cellulite but I think I’ll need to commit to the spa every week for a few years before I can be the judge of that particular benefit!

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If the jeans fit…

And yes, the jeans fit! There were celebrations in our house recently when my weekly attempt to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy jeans surprisingly didn’t end in its usual whimper. They are a little snug but more than comfortable and the biggest surprise was that they fit in a week that I had actually gained weight. Not sure how that is possible but I am pleased to say I’ve since lost that little extra and an incey bit more leaving me with 7.5 of the 10kg to go.  A self-congratulatory pat on the back for me. Here's a reminder of what we're coming back from.

 

Following my last post on shedding the kilos, a friend introduced me to the seven minute workout. Let’s just call it the six and a half minute workout because on what planet someone expects me to be able to do a side plank I do not know. It’s only 30 seconds per exercise (supposed to be done at high energy) and you would be surprised just how long 30 seconds can actually last. So I’ve only done it twice because the effort to get into my gym clothes takes at least another seven minutes. This is the challenge of the breastfeeding mother – how to do exercise when you are weighed down and puffed up with all that milk? I nearly suffocated myself trying to squeeze into my gym top. Not actually kidding.

I am the kind of person that needs to constantly invent little games or tricks to keep myself motivated so I will now embark on the monthly challenge. It’s currently fizz-free February meaning no soft drinks or even alcohol free beer – anything with the fizz is out. It will be a Munchie-Free March which will be my hardest challenge given my penchant for all things sweet and choclately and all this will lead up to Active April. Anyone wanting to join me in this madness, please do!

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Two Bottles

After almost three months separated from my first love – wine – we have finally been reunited. It took me three days to express enough milk to buy me six whole hours of breastfeeding free time so that I could partake. One kind of bottle for me and another for Orion. My friend Lorren was visiting us from Australia this week and she, like me is a bit of a wino so we thought a day visiting the wineries of La Geria was in order. 

First of all let me say, if you hold a similar love for vino and you are ever on the island, put La Geria at the top of your list. Not only will you try some great wines (stick to the whites in my opinion) but also have a feast for the eyes. The area backs on to Timanfaya National Park to the east and it’s an incredibly unique landscape shaped by the volcanic eruption of Timanfaya from 1730 – 1736. Basically what you’re looking at is a vast area of volcanic ash, which makes you think you’re on the moon rather than in the middle of a thriving wine region.

The landscape is made up of pits in the volcanic ash for the vines  (empty at the moment) which each have a small half circle stone wall around them for wind protection. The result is quite stunning and something a photo doesn’t capture so hightail it over here to check it out.

Alvaro was designated driver and chief baby feeder (gracias) and the day was more than worth those extra ten minutes to express milk a couple of times a day in the lead up. Ironically Orion didn’t want to eat for nearly four hours after the first bottle and I was beginning to think the milk would turn bad and the little one would be left in a dilemma with the options of getting a little drowsy from my milk or going with nothing at all. Thankfully he came to his senses and scoffed down the second bottle right on the time mark and then promptly demanded more shortly after. A word to those giving this a try – always leave another feed at home in the fridge just in case you want that one last drink.

My one last drink was indeed fabulous, the Caipirinha, and drunk I have to say in a truly fantastic place - the side of a quarry. London, Paris, Sydney hang your heads in shame - Lanzarote has the best cocktail bar I’ve visited. It’s at LagOmar, which is also a museum, art gallery and restaurant.  Think exposed stone walls and white washed concrete mixed in with a little Arabian Nights and Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom and you are there.

Reminding me I’m a now a mum incase I was feeling a little too cool in the bar was Orion and his bottle. He wanted it and it was cold. And God forbid there be a tap with hot water around.  So despite the fact we already had a baby in a cocktail bar we extended our ridiculousness a little further when I spent several minutes waving his bottle in front of an outdoor heater where two German women were trying to enjoy their beverages. They seemed to understand my predicament, or at least they pretended to as I completely invaded their private space to warm the milk. Whatever the case, I know this -  I’ll take a sideways glance over a crying baby any day.

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Half a kilo – BOOM!

I’m not sure yet if it’s a fluke or if the somewhat limited restraint I showed in the past week has actually paid off but in my first official weekly weigh in I have scored a loss of half a kilo. Keep in mind I’m feeding another person so I’m not actually allowed to lose more than one kilo a week if I want to keep producing that prize winning milk that has Orión already wearing a jacket for a six month old!

I have to admit to a couple of little fails during the week; one being the pack of salt and vinegar chips brought into the house by my visiting little brother. He is also to be held responsible for the half a pack of cookies I consumed last night. Well, he’s now gone back to Australia so I can’t blame him in the weeks to come but I’m sure these little mishaps will continue as I just plain love food.  

The plan to lose 10kgs is essentially this - follow the eating regime of breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper and try to avoid any of the naughty foods as much as possible, especially when it comes to snacking. Then, to take a walk each day, toting my latest fashion accessory, the stroller, of course. My downfall here is that while I have been going for a walk more or less every day, I find myself stopping in the various café’s along the water to sit back and relax with a book or stare at the ocean instead. Nonetheless, the walk to the café is a tick on my list. Then there is the five mile run I do each day…well not literally but it’s supposedly estimated that a woman can burn as much as 500 calories a day breastfeeding, so an easy win for me there.

My husband Alvaro and I are thinking of taking up the sport of paddle once a week…I’ll let you know once/if we achieve this. We have been known to be all talk when it comes to fitness. In the meantime I’ve scheduled for us to do one kind of extra activity aside from the walking each week. A run, a swim or a bike ride for example. Alvaro has run twice this week and I have, well I haven’t done anything extra but let’s see what next week brings on that front. If all else fails we are taking a friend on a wine tour and that’s bound to involve a lot of walking right?

The first goal is to fit into the dress in the photo. It's on our wedding day at 12 weeks pregnant and the goal is to wear this to dinner when we celebrate our first anniversary this April. To be honest I'm not sure if I'll meet this goal so I was hesitant to post it which means I'll need all of your support to get there. The weigh in is every Thursday. I have to create a sort of reality TV experience for myself or I just won’t stick to any of this. What happened to the days of being able to eat whatever you liked, do literally no exercise at all and just stay the same? I actually used to start each day with a Mars bar and coke before I swiftly moved on to a hot dog and caramel slice for lunch. Memories.

For those wondering if any more of my wardrobe fits yet, the answer is still a resounding no. I tried three pairs of pre-pregnancy jeans on this week to no avail and even wore one around without the button done-up just to cheer myself up. I will say this about maternity jeans though, they are heaven to wear and thank God for ASOS and Top Shop for bringing out ranges that actually resemble wardrobe normality rather than the awful outfits of the pregnant lady past.

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A new pain // It always ends in shopping...

When your husband tells you it looks like you've just run a marathon and asks if he could take your photo (I guess to laugh at later) you know you've just been through an ordeal. That ordeal this week was called vaccinations. No, not for me but the dreaded two month immunisation plan for little Orión. He had a couple of jabs on his first day out in the world and they didn't phase me too much but after two months of looking into those little eyes (still blue by the way!) and them staring back at you; well, this round of vaccinnes was different story!

There I was sat in the doctor's office with him happily breastfeeding and not knowing what was about to hit him. I held him extra close and as the first jab went in (poor little one needed three!!) his eyes burst wide open in a mix of surprise, fear and pain as he let out an almighty shriek that broke my heart and most definitely engrained a new "stress mark" on my face. Now I know why they say having kids ages you. Two more to go I told myself as I held him closer and my husband shooshed in his ears to calm him. With each jab came his screams and we cuddled him into calmness a few minutes later. If you found me in the cafe of the clinic ten minutes later you'd have sworn I was the patient that day not him. Even as we left half an hour later I caught a glimpse of my still reddened face in the mirror. What an ordeal.

So, as we women do in all difficult moments, I suggested we head straight to the shops for some retail therapy... so Orión might feel better. The photo is the result. I suppose it's not wise to teach my son that with every little difficulty one deserves a treat but actually it's quite a nice philosophy to have in life when you really think about it. Takes the sting out of it a bit. My mum told me not to worry that it hurts you more than them but I am already dreading the next round which are just four weeks away.

In all this I discovered a different part of myself - the protector. Sure there have been moments in life where I have felt protective of others and feared for them. I am much older than three of my brothers and they have kept me worried for the past twenty odd years with their various shenanigans and anyone who knows of my ridiculous pandering to the needs of my cat will have heard the tales of my tears over him; but this, well this is different. This is the kind of protective love that would find the strength of ten men to fend off the slightest bit of pain coming his way. This is a kind of feeling that I guess you only get to know when you become a parent. It's a fierce kind of love, it almost has an angry energy behind it. You can imagine yourself having developed ninja skills overnight to protect him. I've just noticed myself typing this with a terrible frown on my face as I remember my startled pequeno's (still learning Spanish yes...) tears.

In other highlights of the week, I've started expressing milk and Orión got his first try of a bottle. Actually we tried (and failed) last week with the bottle that came with the express machine but today with a new bottle that actually resembles the nipple (kind of needed right?!) he took to it pretty well. So now his papa is getting in on the feeding bond too. We don't plan on using it all the time but it will be nice to be able to make some plans in advance without worrying about how I will feed him. Yes, the first appointment will be a back massage, you can count on it.

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A new chapter

I am painstakingly typing this post with one hand because my other arm is otherwise occupied with nursing my 6-week-old son, Orión. Hence the title of this post. Although it’s not just that I’m a first time mum which marks the new season; I’ve also just moved from London to Lanzarote to spend my maternity leave with my husband and our little guy in the sunshine. His parents and sister live here and it’s my moment in life to finally learn Spanish. Its sort of a necessity given my husband is Spanish and Orión will be learning both languages and of course I don’t want to miss any conversations in my own house! 

So for the next six or seven months we are here, in our cute little apartment which is just ten minutes walk to the beach (in case I ever whinge too much that you feel tempted to feel sorry for me) and I have three challenges in this time. The first is obvious – figuring out day by day how to raise my boy – what his cries mean, how to get him to sleep in his crib and not the big bed, remembering to treasure all those moments that will never again reappear. Secondly, to leave this island with a good level of Spanish. I have my first lesson tomorrow with my father-in-law. More to come on that following the success or failure of that lesson. And lastly, to shed those kilos I unwittingly collected during pregnancy this year (approximately 10 of them)…my very valid excuse doesn’t take away the fact that my wardrobe currently consists of three pairs of maternity trousers and a couple of loose fitting tops. Let’s not talk yet about how breastfeeding limits your wardrobe or about the block of chocolate that is sat next to me on the couch right now! The rest of my wardrobe is staring at me begging to be worn but unable to squeeze itself around my more than a little enlarged thighs.

The adventure of maternity leave in Lanzarote is just one week into existence and I’m sure it’s going to throw up an array of hilarity, challenge and pure ‘oh my god, is this my amazing life’ moments. The very fact that this Kiwi/Aussie girl now lives close to the beach again is one of those moments in itself. Alright the little one needs a bath…

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