aden + anais Classic Sleeping Bag - Review & Competition

Once upon a time, a new mum found herself searching high and low for the muslin swaddle blankets her mother and grandmother and generations of Australian women before them had used to comfort their own babies. When she couldn’t find them anywhere in her adopted home of the USA, she made them herself, and aden + anais was born. 

I've been a huge fan of aden + anais ever since I fell pregnant with Noah almost four years ago. I received one of their large muslin swaddle blankets as a gift and instantly fell in love with the brand. I then proceeded to buy numerous pieces from their absolutely gorgeous collections, from the musy cloths through to dream blankets and they are items I've used on a daily basis.

I've been lucky enough to be working a long side aden + anais for the past couple of years and they are just a delight to be associated with. I've worked with them on numerous reviews, competitions and charity causes too.

When Ava was born I was asked if I'd like to choose an item from one of their new ranges and I just had to go for their Classic Sleeping Bag in the new Lovebird Sketchy Heart design. The aden + anais classic sleeping bag comes in an array of different sizes and prices start at £29.95. I opted for size 0-6 months in the 1.0 tog which is perfect for this time of year with a vest and sleep suit.

When it arrived it was presented in one of aden + anais signature presentation boxes which I think is a nice touch, it makes their products even more perfect for gifting. On opening I noticed straight away how soft and light the material is, just like every other product of theirs and I couldn't wait to get Ava all zipped up and cosy in it.    

There's no need to stress over loose blankets in the cot with their breathable classic sleeping bag. It's impossible for little legs to kick off, the wearable blanket slips over our baby's pj's and zips open from the bottom, making stealth night time changes possible and stress free. Even better yet, their 100 % cotton muslin is pre-washed so it's super soft from the start and stays that way wash after wash.

As you can see by the photo's Ava was delighted with her new sleeping bag and has been wearing it to bed for the past couple of nights. It's super soft, cosy and light and she seems so comfortable wearing it. She's just started to sleep for 7 hour stretches at night and I wonder if the sleeping bag has a part to play with her sleeping for longer, I like to think so! 

How would you like to win one in either the Lovebird Sketchy Heart design that we reviewed or the gender neutral Lovestruck design? To enter all you need to do is use the Gleam form below. Good luck and don't forget to enter my other blog competitions!

aden + anais Classic Sleeping Bag worth £29.95

Terms & Conditions.         
1. There will be 1 winner who will the prize mentioned above.
2. Prize sent directly by the PR. 
3. Competition ends 11/06/17.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified.
5. UK entries only. 

Sophie La Girafe Baby Starter Kit - Review & Competition

Sophie la Girafe is famous in the parenting world, as famous as Mr Tumble or Peppa Pig! The iconic giraffe is spotted in the hands of so many babies and toddlers as she's not just ideal for teething but she makes a great toy too. Noah had his very own back when he was small and I’m already planning on buying one for Ava once she starts teething, we are such big fans!

Did you know that the brand doesn’t just stop at toys but they also have their own skincare range too? Sophie la Girafe Baby is an award winning, certified natural and organic skincare created for babies and sensitive skin of all ages. We were recently sent their starter kit to try out and I couldn't wait to give it a try.

The kit includes the following:

Sophie la girafe Baby Face Cream 20 ml - a face cream for sensitive skin.

Sophie la girafe Baby Body Lotion 20 ml -a rich and nourishing moisture lotion.

Sophie la girafe Baby Oil 20 ml - a multi-purpose and luxurious baby oil.

Sophie la girafe Baby Hair & Body Wash 20 ml - a nurturing, gentle cleanser.

Also includes a lovely Sophie greeting card, enhancing an already perfect gift.

The Sophie La Girafe starter kit is perfect for our bath time routine and for Ava because each product is ever so kind to her delicate skin. A little product goes a long way too as I only needed to use just a dash of each when bathing or moisturising her.

As you can see having a bath is one of Ava's favourite things so it was wonderful to include the SLG Baby into our routine. After Ava had her fill of splashing about in her tub and from smiling from ear to ear I quickly got her dry and used a little of the SLG baby oil which is absolutely divine. So divine in fact that I've been using it myself. I adore the gentle scent of all the range, how kind it is to sensitive skin and I'm looking forward to continuing to use it at every bath time.

How would you like to win a Sophie La Girafe Starter Kit? To enter all you need to do is use the Gleam form below! Good luck and don't forget to enter my other blog competitions!    

Sophie La Girafe Baby Starter Kit

Terms & Conditions.                                                                                                 
1. There will be 1 winner who will the prize mentioned above.
2. Prize sent directly by the PR. 
3. Competition ends 04/06/17.
4. Incomplete entries with be disqualified. 
5. UK entries only.

My Sunday Photo - 19/52

Project 365 - Week 18/52

30th April - 6th May

30th April 2017

1st May 2017

2nd May 2017

3rd May 2017

4th May 2017

5th May 2017

6th May 2017

May has dawned and has brought with it some welcomed sunshine and we've been enjoying it as much as we can. On Sunday we took a trip to the fair with family which we tend to do every year, it's a little tradition of ours. Noah loved the bouncy castles and trampolines more than the rides this year, I love watching him bounce about on them. On Monday it was a bank holiday so Nick was off work so we had a nice family walk around the nature reserve which is such a beautiful place. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday was back to routine as Noah had nursery in the afternoons and he had a couple of play dates too. On Thursday after nursery we had to take Ava for her 8 week check and her immunisations, which every parent dreads and they never get any easier. She passed her checks with flying colours and had a great weight gain too which I was so pleased about. She took her immunisations as well as she could and didn't have any fever following them, so glad those are out of the way for now. Friday and Saturday we took it easy and stayed at home and visited family as we go on holiday next weekend.

What have you been up to this week?

Ava - 2 Months Old

Two months already, I could cry! Everything is even more bittersweet this second time around as we know we are stopping at two children. I keep trying to soak up every moment but it's so hard when you have more than one child cause your time is split two ways. It doesn't feel like two minutes since she was born but at the same time it feels like she's been with us forever, she's really fitted into our family, she's made us complete.

Character

Ava is a very happy and smiley baby, as soon as she wakes up in the morning she beams from ear to ear before you even have chance to smile at her first. She really enjoys being talked to and will reply with the cutest sounding babbles. She also loves to be held and cuddled, especially by Mummy. She's quite dependant on me and she won't ever let me put her down and as lovely as it is, it's quite exhausting too.

Size

She now weighs 12lb 12oz, is 62cm long and is following the 91st percentile to a tee. She's very tall and is starting to get her baby fat, which I absolutely love! She's in size 2 nappies and is wearing 0-3 clothing. 

Health

No health complaints this month! Nothing at all, not even nappy rash or a bit of cradle cap. Hopefully I don't jinx myself there! Noah's had a bad cold and cough this month so Ava has been lucky not to catch it considering he is always smothering her in kisses. I wonder if my milk is giving her some immunity to it, I like to think so. 

Feeding

We are still breastfeeding and loving every moment. She feeds on demand which is usually every 2-3 hours during the day but come night time she usually goes 4 or 5 hours without waking for a feed, one night she did a 7 hour stretch! She's doing really well and I just follow her lead. 

Sleep
As mentioned above when it comes to bedtime Ava usually sleep between 4-5 hours without waking for a feed which is great. She tends to sleep best in our room so as soon as we go up for the night she has a big feed and usually falls asleep in my arms. I've only just starting to get her to sleep in her Snuzpod but to achieve that I have to let her fall asleep on me first. We are getting there slowly but surely but she's still only 8 weeks old and is still in that fourth trimester so I think she's doing great. 

Milestones

* Ava recently discovered her hands and is often found chewing on them.

* After discovering her hands she realised she can control them and so really concentrates on touching things and has a real fascination with her coloured blankets and pattern lamaze toys.

* She's extremely strong so has great neck and head control and is even trying to roll from back to front. She's growing up way too fast!
* She loves to chat and as soon as you start speaking her face lights up and she responds with the cutest cooing noises you've ever heard.

Favourite things and dislikes
Milk, being snuggled by Mummy, sleeping in Mummy's bed, smiles, being spoken too, bath time, her lamaze toys, her comforter and blankets, Noah, the sun, lullaby music, being held in general. She doesn't like having her clothes changed but doesn't mind her nappy being changed. She also doesn't like being put down or being alone for two seconds, she's very much a velcro baby!

April Degustabox - Review

A new month brings another Degustabox delivery. As mentioned in my previous reviews we always look forward to our monthly subscription, it's always so exciting to see the delivery man carry it to our door. We like sitting down as a family and opening the box together and my three year old always has the duty of pulling each item out and telling us what it is, though sometimes he doesn't have a clue and will just say what he thinks it is! 

Here's what was inside April's Degustabox:

1. Seabrook Lattice Crisps - £1.99

2. POLO Sugar Free Pot - £1.49

3. CELIA Organic Lager - £2.49

4. Garofalo Whole Wheat Penne Pasta - £2.19

5. GOOD HEMP Hemp Seed Hearts - £4.49

6. Dorest Cereals - £4.89

7. Doisy & Dam's Chocolate - £1.75

8. Nothing But Snacks - x2 £1.20

9. Whitworths Full Of Super - £1.50

10. ViPnuts - £1.25

As always this months box was full of an array of different and exciting products, both brands that were totally new to me and others which were already firm favourites. The first products which were devoured was the Dorset Cereal and Whitworths Full Of Super Macaroons as they were ideal for a quick and easy breakfast. The Garofalo pasta was also great for a healthier take on our usual sausage pasta bake which surprisingly went down a storm with all the family. Again another fantastic box which contained a little something for everyone. 

Degustabox costs £12.99 per month but if you would like to try it for the first time use the code: CTOMW at the checkout to receive a huge £7.00 off! That means you can get your first box for just £5.99! 

What products or brands would you like to see in Degustabox next?

- We were sent this product for the purpose of this review however all opinions are my own.