Little Man, Big Wardrobe: the humble singlet

Before the little wolf was born I searched in vain for some singlets for him. Don't know what I'm talking about? That probably means you're not antipodean like me. They are referred to as vests in England and apparently they don't even exist for babies! What!? Madness since they are the best thing ever. When it's cold, they keep them warm and when it's warm, they are perfect to cruise around the house in and even better for nighttime sleeping. That being said, I've had to have them shipped and carried by friends and fam from Australia and here's a look at why they are so awesome.

If you want some, Bonds  is best and they deliver internationally if you need it but if you're in Oz or NZ you have a plethora of options including Target, Kmart and just about everywhere you can buy clothes for little ones - you are spoiled for choice! I think overall, the singlet is the most useful item in the wolf's wardrobe.

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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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Crying High / 5 Weeks / Monarch / 4 Hours in the air

Here it is, the start of my official notes on flying with a baby or small person. Since we are spending maternity leave in Lanzarote but normally live in London with my husband being from Seville and me from Australia but born in New Zealand and with my extreme love for travel you can imagine that we spend quite some time in the air. And now we have a baby to help make those journeys even more special (forced smile). Because what could be more fun than being confined to a tiny chair for 13 or 14 hours with a baby on your lap also?! Not much beats that!

But let's start smaller than such a grand voyage. So far, we've successfully flown twice with the little wolf so here's the first story. I'm including info on the airline and how far we flew etc in case we later find out there are better airlines to fly with or huge differences in how to prepare for the hours you are in the air. Then standby for the next in the series which is when wolf was seven months  and we flew Lanzarote to Seville on the dreaded Ryanair. Gasp - who would do such a thing to themselves?! Well it wasn't all that bad but wait and see.

Okay so the low down.

Checkin and baggage allowance: We had brilliant luck in that the lovely lass behind the counter was a baby person and rather than giving us a hard time about our borderline luggage weight she took some of our hand luggage and processed it as free check-in as well. Tip: take the line with the most likely baby person standing behind the counter and prop your little person up to say hello - works wonders in many things! Monarch gives you 20kg each FREE to checkin and they throw in an extra 10kg FREE for the baby so it's really great for when you need to lug a lot of things around. But don't be trapped, you only get 5kg hand luggage regardless of whether you use the free 20kg...my advice, check in everything you can to free your hands up and wait the extra time at the other end to reclaim your bags. Prams and car seats are totally free but travel cots go as part of the weight allowance. EASY!


Boarding: We were kind of hoping to board early because we had the little wolf in tow but we weren't given that as an option so we staggered on with everyone else. We didn't have a pram with us so can't tell you how they handle that but we did pre-book allocated seats which definitely takes a bit of stress out of the moment. My big fail here was my hand luggage.  Yes, I met the 5kg restriction but I had SO much unnecessary stuff which inevitably was flying out of my bag and falling all over the place; including a sombrero (FAIL) and a coffee in my hand (MEGA FAIL), toys for the wolf...what? He couldn't even hold a toy at that point?! Who knows what I had in my bag but it was too much and I'll never do it again...except I did on the next flight! Fail once more... never again!


The flight: As we boarded the plane we were handed a baby seatbelt - all very easy to manage and no drama there. The wolf was making some whingy noises and I cringed as people glared at us boarding, wishing us and especially our baby away. But, once in our seats, I gave him a little feed and he promptly fell asleep for the rest of the flight, including take off and landing. I was all prepped to feed him during both but there was no need. He fit snugly in the seat with me and I propped a jacket up under my arm for extra support and even got a little shut-eye myself! The only annoyance on that flight was the tiny tots behind us that wouldn't shut up and the older baby a few rows up whose parents decided it would be a good idea not to follow the strict rule of not changing your baby in the seat...the shitty smell wafted towards us but was quickly sorted by a replacement seat by a less than impressed stewardess whose face contorted in a way that suggested she may at a stretch love an animal, but never a child.

The disembark: Nothing to report, very easy. He woke up as we landed, I fed him for a couple of minutes on the plane while waiting for the doors to open. We popped him in his sling with his Papi and wandered off to baggage claim.

So, all in all, a four hour flight with a five week old (mine at least) is not a scary feat. Keeping in mind that I had A with me. Babies that age tend to sleep and eat most of their days away so it's probably the perfect time to board a plane.


Here is a photo of A and my FIL just after arriving in Lanzarote, with the sling we traveled with him in. Which reminds me, putting baby in a sling is great because they generally don't make you take them out to go through security which gives you your hands free and is very helpful at that point!

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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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Bonds Baby Please!

I'm back! Sorry for the hiatus - I promise to be better now. Okay, this is a mama and papa post so if you're not in a phase of  life that involves little people this might not be for you. I just want to say how much I am in love with the Aussie brand Bonds, when it comes to baby clothes. Before O was born, we were gifted with many cute as anything outfits and it wasn't until we actually came to dress him in them that we realised how much of a nightmare baby clothes can actually be! Being an Aussie, it seemed improper for me to have a baby and not dress him in Bonds so a few weeks before due date I sent the call out to my girls to send supplies to London...and that they did! Handpicked by yummy mummy Stef, I received an amazing box filled with wondersuits, leggings and trousers. Everything about Bonds is great but I want to talk about two things. The Zip Wondersuit and the Singletsuit because these two beauties will revolutionise your baby changing days!

Zip Wondersuit

 Why it's wonderful: It has a two two-way zippers...yes, two of them so you don't have to completely unzip them if you're just changing the nappy - the top half can stay warm and toasty. There's a safety fold at the top so don't worry about the zip bothering bubs. And let's pause here to acknowledge just how much easier a zip is to do up over the myriad of buttons we are normally faced with. No guessing which button goes with which hole, quick and easy. In fact, whenever DH dresses him, he only goes for the zip wondersuit and if there isn't one handy I get a 'where is an Australian suit?!' call bellowing out of the room. Okay other great things are that the sleeves and legs turn into feet and mittens. Good for all year round, inside and out of the house. At the moment we're using these at night with the feet and hands out as its a bit warm but we've had the feet as socks until now. 


Singletsuit

Why it's wonderful: I've found that 'singlet' is not a word outside of Australia and New Zealand so for those wondering it's also called a vest and you can see what it is the pics anyway. We currently only have two of these so I've ordered a stack more online and they're due to arrive this weekend along with my mum and all sorts of other Australian treats. I've always dressed O in a singlet because I like him to have warmth on his chest even if it's sunny outside. So the beauty of this little number is they can wear it on it's own if its super sunny or under a cute litte t-shirt if not. And when that little t-shirt inevitably rolls up to under his arms, the singlet is still keeping him warm because it buttons up at the bottom.  Babies need a bit of help controlling their body temp so this works wonders. Plus, they are super cute!

This blog was inspired by the look on my MIL's face after she dressed O in some pyjamas from the Little White Company recently. Let's just say it looks like a piece of fabric with buttons and sleeves and you can sort it out for yourself from there. If you're expecting - these will be a good investment and save you a lot of pain! 

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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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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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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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