Wandering along our local shopping strip this week, what did I notice? The spectacular hats! The racing season is upon us – the perfect excuse for a gorgeous dress and a fabulous hat, darling!

But this year, you’re pregnant – what to wear, what to wear? Happily Bump, Baby & Beyond has some amazing maternity dresses, perfect for a day at the races – or that summer wedding!

For something light and pretty, try the Mango Jam Tara Maternity Dress or the beautifully cut Sara from MBC – the beauty of the Sara is that it is designed to be worn pregnant or not and is a truly lovely cut…. this one will take you to the races, and keep you looking fresh and fabulous through summer too!

Moving on a little in the “dressy” stakes, we have two lovely maternity dresses in the same cut – the Pluto and the Tapestry, both from Ripe Maternity. The Pluto features a gorgeous shimmering fabric, available in silver or black – so easy to accessorise and make absolutely jaw dropping! For those wanting something with a floral feel, but with the subtlety of a self-pattern, try the Tapestry dress for simple, understated elegance.

Want something bright and bubbly? The Tangerine Satin Maternity Dress comes in the most amazing tangerine colour featuring summer daisy print – like the Pluto and Tapestry, this frock falls freely from the bust, making them cool, comfortable and with room to grow. In a more fitted frock, there is the Watercolour Cocoon Dress – a swirl of soft, gorgeous colours in an incredibly flattering ruched dress – this one is just so pretty!

For a more formal style – perfect for a wedding or formal function – check out the Deloris Lace Dress, featuring either chocolate or cobalt lining under sheer black lace….

But if you want something truly stunning, you cannot go past the amazing Eden Silk Maternity Dress from Ripe Limited – choose from vibrant purple or fabulous fuschia, both with black pattern detail… this one is a show stopper!

The best news of all is that none of these amazing maternity dresses is over $72.95 – a saving of up to 70% on RRP! The perfect mix of fashion and affordability - all at Bump, Baby & Beyond!

Have fun!

I guess the simple answer is no… but, and this is a BIG BUT, with such an abundance of gorgeous maternity wear styles out there at affordable prices, why wouldn’t you want to be more comfortable as well as celebrating this fabulous time of your life??

When pregnant for the first time I was stunned at how quickly I became uncomfortable with anything pressing on my tummy in the wrong spot – snug waist bands where an absolute no no for me… so I tried hubby’s pants and wore them slung low on my hips. This certainly solved the tummy pressure issue – but hiking up your pants every few minutes is really not a great look! After a day out with a very dear girlfriend, she very kindly suggested that I could look better… as if something was wrong with looking like I was drowning in an oversized tee and hubby’s falling down jeans!

I launched into my reasons for not buying maternity wear – number one being the price of them, given that I would be wearing them for so short a period of time! She very sensibly suggested that there must be other options, and so the hunt began!

I started by determining what I really needed – I live in jeans so a comfortable pair of maternity jeans or two were a must! Working in an office environment, I also needed some corporate maternity wear, and thought I could buy some nice tops to wear both to work and on weekends. I was stunned at how much more comfortable the maternity pants were – and at the ingenious ways they grow with your belly!

After some trips to the local op shops and Savers I found some great maternity pants by Ninth Moon that had hardly been worn and had a divine soft fold over waist band that was just so comfortable! Next stop was eBay, after a trip to a maternity boutique to determine which brands and sizes seemed most appropriate for me… I felt a bit guilty not buying there – but hey, it’s my money!!

I was amazed at what was available on eBay – and soon after purchased two pairs of Ripe maternity jeans that I happily, and comfortably, wore for the remainder of my pregnancy… I did notice that some items seem to go for an enormous amount of money for worn clothing, but was lucky to pick up a couple of items at great prices.

I had been unable to find anything I like in maternity tops at a reasonable price, but scoured the online stores until I found some on special that I liked – again, once I got them in the post and tried them on, the difference in how they hung and fit as compared to simply buying a size up in a “normal” top really surprised me – sceptic that I was!

Having really felt the difference in wearing maternity clothes, an idea struck and I set about opening my own online clearance store for maternity clothing at amazing prices. Stocking gorgeous styles from manufactures like Ripe Maternity, Ninth Moon, Maternity Plus, Pea In A Pod, MBC (Mother Baby Child), Soon Melbourne and more I source end of season styles at bargain prices – and love that I can offer other budget conscious mummys-to-be a place to buy some divine maternity wear pieces… looking good throughout your pregnancy can make such a difference to your self-esteem!

My pregnancies turned out to be such hard work – I am unlucky enough to get severe morning sickness that lasts the whole nine months! – that feeling frumpy in ill-fitting clothing would have been the last straw … thank goodness for good, honest friends!

Our “Baby Jack” turned one this week - Happy Birthday my darling! None of us can quite believe it has flown past so quickly. It happened to coincide with his first hair cut, and now all of a sudden he seems such an older little man… enough to make me quite teary!

We had a very quiet, low key party - just a morning tea at home with both sets of grandparents and with Nana and Pa - the boys great-grandparents (aren’t we soo lucky!). Alastair’s mum made the lovely orange cake which we iced with a simple butter icing - and so the fun began!

Cameron loves to “help” - in the kitchen, around the house, in the garden - he is a budding domestic god! Don’t ask me where he gets it from - it certainly isn’t from mum who would rather go to the dentist for a root canal than clean!

I was so proud of him - he helped vacuum the lounge room floor following Jack’s free-range breakfast excursion with toast in hand, he helped blu-tak the Happy 1st Birthday banner up on the wall, and he picked out which balloons to blow up and managed to moisten most prior to handing them over!

The night before he had wrapped up Jack’s pressies ”by my-SELF, mummy” and now it was time to decorate the cake. My goodness, he loves to cook! The “helping chair” came out, the apron went on (one from Lorraine Lee Linen, “2nd in Charge”) and off he went - watching his sense of style was magic! The same colour smarties had to be together, and each side of the cake had to be evenly covered… reminds me of his mummy alphabetising the DVD collection!

Thinking about how much he does love to cook I remembered a great article I had read on smart-mums.com.au and was able to find it on an article sharing site to reprint it here for you all too - enjoy!

Cath xx

Cooking with Kids by Smart-Mums

Kids of all ages love to get into the kitchen and help make cakes, cookies and easy meals. By taking the time to teach your child basic cooking skills and simple recipes you will be equipping them with practical skills that will last their lifetime. Sure cooking with the kids can be messy, chaotic and the finished product sometimes inedible.

However with a bit of patience and practice they will soon be whipping up culinary masterpieces, and the look of immense pride on their faces, sure makes up for a little mess in the kitchen.

Where to Start

Let the kids choose the recipe, there are lots of great cookbooks for kids on the market today, that include step-by-step instructions and pictures so kids can see what the finished product will look like.

Read through the recipe they have chosen to make sure you have all the ingredients required and that the recipe is not too complicated - or everyone will get frustrated.

Take the kids shopping to get any ingredients you don’t have. By getting the kids involved in all stages of cooking they will learn about healthy food, choosing produce and planning meals.

Before Cooking

* Get everyone to wash their hands, with warm soapy water

* Tie back long hair

* Pop on an apron

Cooking

Let the fun begin, now you can get down to the fun part and actually begin creating something.

* Put all the ingredients that you need on the bench.

* Pre-heat the oven if necessary.

* Find the measuring cups and spoons explain the different types to the kids.

* Explain the basic cooking terms (see list below).

* Grease cake tins or trays.

* Let the kids help measure out the ingredients and grease trays or lay out the patty pans.

* Teach them how to crack eggs and measure liquids.

* Read the recipe aloud and follow it step by step. Let the kids read the recipe to you if they can.

* Mix the ingredients – this is lots of fun and usually messy!

* If you are cooking with several children let them all have a turn.

* Show them how to place trays and pans carefully into the oven.

Clean Up

Try and clean up as you go, pop the dirty measuring cups and utensils on the sink and wipe the benches over if anything is spilt.

The kids will usually clean the bowl and beaters by licking the mixture off, sometimes this is the only reason they want to cook.

Make sure the kids know that cleaning ups is part of the cooking process and involves washing the dishes, benches and floors, storing and packing away all ingredients.

Safety Tips

* Move saucepan handles to the middle of the stove to avoid accidentally tipping hot liquids.

* Use potholders or oven mitts when handling hot pans and make sure the potholders are not wet.

* Always cut food by chopping downwards on a chopping board.

* For young children, having kitchen equipment and tools that are their own size makes cooking more fun and easier too. Kid-sized kitchen utensils and equipment can be found at many department or specialty stores.

Eating

When the food is ready it’s time to eat it! Make sure they share their treats with Mum, Dad, Sisters, Brothers, Grandparents and Friends. They will love to show off what they have made and let everyone have a taste.

Simple Cooking Terms

Bake: To cook by dry heat, usually in an oven.

Beat: To lift a mixture with a spoon or an electric mixer to inject air and make the mixture smooth and creamy.

Chop: To cut into small pieces using a knife or other sharp utensil.

Cream: (as in butter and sugar): a baking technique involving combining butter or margarine and sugar together together to a fluffy consistency. Done by thoroughly beating butter in a bowl, then gradually adding sugar until mixture is fluffy and creamy.

Fold: (Nothing to do with computers this time!!)To mix, using a motion beginning vertically down through the mixture, continuing across the bottom of the bowl and ending with an upward and over movement.

Knead: To place dough on a flat surface and work it, pressing down with your hands, then folding over and over again.

Simmer: To cook liquid just below the boiling point.

Whip: To beat rapidly to increase volume and incorporate air.

This article is courtesy of Sandy Prosdocimo, Owner/Editor of
Smart-Mums everything Mums need…

Article Source: The RepOZitory - FREE reprint articles from Australia for WAHMs and Business Mums

 

Having been there, done that with a new baby I wanted to share one of the greatest tools I found while struggling through the first six months sleep deprivation with our little man, Cameron, now 3.

Cam wanted to feed all night - and all day for that matter, but it was the all night that nearly killed me. So I fed and fed and fed and when that didn’t work, we rocked, we dummied, we patted, we walked (and walked and walked), we drove around in the car, we attempted to sing (ughhh!)…. and we quietly went insane! I know you know what I’m talking about here!

I was so convinced that I was doing something totally wrong, that I was a terrible mother, that if I just knew what my precious little bundle REALLY wanted, we could all catch a few equally precious hours shut eye. My hubby and I were on the same page - I am so lucky to have a man who I can be completely honest with, who really talks to me, and who listens with his entire self. Unfortunately, our page and Cameron’s weren’t even in the same library!

So, I hunted around on the internet, re-read all my baby books, scoured magazines and rang everyone I knew who had had a sleepless baby in the past twenty years! I was on a mission… but nothing felt right… nothing fit with our idea of how to treat Cameron, and how to treat our relationship.

I was adament I didn’t want to bring Cameron into our bed. I truly think it is fabulous that it works for so many people, but to my husband and I, our bed is sacred. It’s our meeting place at the end of the day, our place for laughter, fun, serious talks, quiet companionship - our marital bed.

I also couldn’t gel with the controlled crying theory, letting him cry for so many minutes and then going in and out for hours like that - at least I thought I couldn’t…

And then I came upon Tizzie Hall - I think I first read an article of hers in Practical Parenting, or the Australian Parents mags - anyway, she sounded sane, she sounded reasonable, and she claimed that your baby too could sleep from 7pm ’til 7am each and every morning…

I know, I know, I didn’t believe it either. But it’s true. Every word.

Basically, she talks about babies needing to learn how to self settle, and works of the premise that we frazzled sleep deprived parents don’t initially give them the space or support to do this… we bought her programs from her web site - www.saveoursleep.com.au - and our lives changed.

The first big step was to make sure we really WERE on the same page - the first three nights were going to be TOUGH, and we needed to know that we would be there for each other, that we would support each other, that we wouldn’t sabotage the program, and most of all - that we could have a good cry together if it all felt like too much!

We had to leave Cam cry for a designated period of time (possibly 12 minutes??), once we had put him down, and not try and settle him in any way - no rocking, patting, dummy - the only exception was a blankie comforter.  If he still wasn’t asleep, we could go in. Keeping it quiet and soothing and pat him to sleep - the key, and the reason I liked the program compared to a straight controlled crying routine, was that once you went back in, you stayed there until bubs was asleep… no walking in and out, no traumatising holding of breath in the hall - waiting for a sob from the little one.

Let me tell you, and I will hold no punches… the first night was absolute hell. I cried, he cried, hubby cried, and if we all got an hours sleep I’d be suprised. The next night was a shocker, but we all cried less, and definately got more sleep. And night three was bliss. It wasn’t perfect. But we could see the light at the end of the tunnel - this was going to work.

Now, Tizzie’s routine’s (different ones for different age groups) include day time sleep and feeding patterns too (and something called a Dreamfeed, which you wont believe is possible, but believe me - our bubs LOVED it!) - I thought it would be really rigid, and it turned me off at first, but now I wouldn’t be without them. Our pattern is a little different - Cam goes to bed at 8pm and will sleep until 7.30 - 8am, depending on how busy a day he’s had and how much fresh air! We can happily go off to Melbourne (two hours away) for the night, travel during the boys nap times, and know that they will still sleep all night in a strange motel room, in a strange cot or bed without a hassle in the world.

I can’t tell you guys how wonderful this site, and I assume the available book, was for our family. We have told so many people, and get the same sort of response… “our little one wont do that”, “I hate routine”, “we’re happy with him in the bed….(and hubby on the couch, spare bed whatever - yeah, right!)” - but the most common one… “my spouse wont be able to let him cry”. It was hard. It was really hard. But for three nights difficulty we have this amazing little boy, who rarely fights naps or bed time and we get as much sleep as we need. He even picks up teddy and tells you if you’ve let it slip 15 minutes… “need sleeeep”, he says.

Jack, just turned 1, is in bed at 8pm and sleeps through to 8 - 8.30am, and goes down for two daytime naps wide awake! And rather than the horrific haze of sleepless nights that we endured early on with Cam, Jack was on the routines straight away and loved them. Sure beat patting and rocking all night! I guess this has been the icing on the cake - initially we thought, hey sure, it worked for Cam, but it just happened to suit him. We weren’t holding our breath for the same result from Jack. We were wrong - Tizzie’s routines worked beautifully for both our very different little men.

“Sleeeep” I say - the second best medicine in the world. The first? That first thing in the morning snuggle from my two radiant little monkeys (AND their daddy) - I love being a mummy!

What has worked for you? What hasn’t? Love to hear your thoughts!

Cath xx