Long time inbetween drinks...

Its been a long time in between drinks....literally.

Had my Xmas girl lunch this week it was so nice to frock up and have a few too many drinks, the girls told me how much they loved my blog so I'm inspired to write again, thanks ladies!!

Duke is now 8 months and he is now getting around on all 4s, holding himself up in push up position , clapping his hands, pulling himself up to standing position when you hold your hands out and just learning to wave.

Pooch and him have discovered one another and now love each other...especially Pooch underneath the highchair at dinner time. Duke is learning to be "gentle" as he can pull out little handfuls of pooch's hair!

He also just cut his first tooth which came with a 2 day, 38 degree temperature and the routine I have come so accustom too has stopped and we now have a different kid- sleeping dramas and whinging....hope its just a stage or can I blame it on teething??!!

THE RASH , THE TOOTH

The other day waking up at 11.30am from his morning sleep, Duke decided not to go down for his arvo sleep which he never did before as he loves his sleeps. ...he also developed a rash on his forehead and back so I rang the nurse at health direct (1800 022 222) and she said it was "Roaslie rash" http://www.drgreene.com/21_1173.html

which is common and contagious rash like a cold sore and had to just run its course....she assured me that Meningcoccol rash was purple/red and doesn't go away when you press down on it with a glass, which I needed to hear.

Duke was hysterical and crying at 6.30pm, wouldn't take his bottle and we had to drive the streets to get him too sleep....8pm finally he was asleep, he had been up for 81/2 hours poor man! he woke up 4 times that night and looked like he was in pain...what is is TEETH??? RASH?? Can't wait till he can talk and tell me what is bothering him!

Thank god the rash is gone after day 3 as the nurse said but last night he went down fine but wouldn't sleep from 12- 3am and just cried and rolled around his cot....we have both been napping today, I thought it was suppose to get easier- last night was the worst night even since he was a baby!!

Since the bottom tooth has appeared so has this little high pitched whinge which has caused him to have a husky cry for 3 days, not taking his bottles and this new thing with his bottom lip breathing in he sucks it in then pushes it out....not sure what that is?

So with the tooth and rash I'm thinking this is has been a BAD COMBO that has caused some serious sleep disruption and a sooky bub which we are not used too. We have been blessed with such a easy baby until now...patience is being tested.

I am also changing his routine too....trying to get him to have his morning nap at 9-9.30am instead of 8am and his arvo sleep 1- 1.30 instead of 12.30.

Duke has been refusing his bottle before bed then waking up so upset 2 hours later as he's starving so we are feeding him his solid dinner at 4.30 instead of 5pm and putting his bed time to 7pm instead of 6.30pm in hope for sleeping until later than 5am.

Not having daylight saving has been so hard is anyone else out there over not having it....its light and the birds are up @ 4.30am....why did we vote it out??!!

Will promie to update more often...stay tuned as I hope to say Duke has a turn around in the sleeping department!!!

Love Soph + Duke

PS Good Luck to Tania and Panda with the safe arrivals xxx

Time is flying....half a year gone already!

Haven't written for a while...been crazy working and house sitting for 3 weeks. It's amazing how time flys!!

Duke is now 6.5 months and its a whole new ball game. The baby is gone and hello independent infant.....when we got home from house sitting he was really unsettled going to bed as I think the portacot he was sleeping in for the past 3 weeks became very familiar to him and his own cot became forgien.
The dummy is back in the arvos (he now knows a sleep means missing out on play time) otherwise no sleep so I have found the Tommmee Tippee dummy for 12-18mnths its ridiculously big but he cant force that backwards in his mouth!!

At 6 months he is now aware of things and Mr Johnny Knoxville who loves being thrown around now gets scared!! His large soft toy cow on his top shelf has become scary to him as I found out as I lifted him up for him too see it as I used too....tears and his face is full of fright!
Moo Moos is in the cupboard for a holiday.

I'm still getting up giving him a bottle, he still takes a full one so until he is getting enough during the day (which some days he's not) I'm happy to get up...surely only another 3- 6 month to go I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
This is the fun age for new tricks which include sitting up, banging his hands on his high chair and clapping his hands which he starts wide hitting his hips then pulls in tight for the hand clap....too funny to watch!
Toys are now interesting....I bought him a bag of soft Underwater characters which he just loves as you get his excited about whats coming out of the bag...but he really loves just putting them in his mouth!!
He has now been for his first swim and has been underwater and loved it....have to look into swimming lessons.
Off to Bali next week with my BF for 4 nights of work and play without kids.....its going to be really hard to be away from them but I am looking forward too a full night uniterrupted sleep through...what are they again??!!
Love Soph n Duke

awww we love cool inventions!!

Love these products- all designed by a dad!!

www.brothermax.com

Duke is on solids and we love making purees- I just bought these unreal cubes which you put the puree in, freeze, then can microwave and feed straight from them as they are microwave and dishwasher safe!

Check out the bib too....such a wicked idea! They are interchangeable so you just wash the fabric part, then clip on another clean one as you get 3 x interchangable fabric bibs!

A scary moment.

Dummies. A whole another debate. Our personal view on them is what ever gets you through and its all good either way and some kids love them while others dont like them. When its 3am and you hear a cry and you can run in put one in and its back to sleep within seconds I love them.

Duke LOVES too suck and he will suck anything and everything (neck, fingers, remotes) and has done so since he was in the womb ( the nurse could tell as it came up on the monitor during my contractions) so a dummy has been a fixture in his life when he goes to sleep....wack one in his mouth and he is alseep within seconds!!

He would spit it out when asleep and when he woke he would fish around for it and pop it back in. Why deny that from him? it that all changed today....

My dad the super nanny was looking after him today and when he usually wakes we leave him in the cot for a play till he wakes fully...he usually has a chat to himself. Funny.

Dad heard him stir and left him and then he heard an unusual cry out, he ran in and Duke has wedged his dummy in ,the wrong side around in his mouth and it was stuck. dad had to force it out of his mouth and gave him a huge fright.my god how scary for him.

So warning...little men have the dexterity at 5 1/ 2 months to turn the dummy around and force it into their mouths without knowing what they are doing....the dummy has now been banned from his bed when he is awake and used in only dia circumstances!

Love soph + duke

my husband and the dogs worst nightmare!!!

Couldn't resist posting these....I could only imagine Duke off to his aunty's house to live he if had a go at doing this....

all bibs should be black..

hi guys sorry haven't written for a while...been working some solid hours and got run down from probably doing too much and not looking after myself.

had the flu this weekend and I tell you its so hard being a mum when your sick- you can't get out of bed too get too bub as every bone aches in your body and you have the sweats and runny nose...argh so heavy! All you want too do is have a kiss and a cuddle but you can't as you don't want too pass the germs on and too have a sick baby on your hands. Fingers crossed he doesn't get it.

Thank god for my beautiful husband who did the late night bottles and attended to Duke when I couldn't and a big thankyou to my dad who helped out on sat when Cj had to work. You need your family when you get sick that's for sure!

So Dukes 1st dad days was filled with snotty tissues and home cooked breaky by my husband while I was in bed...babe I owe you another dads day! He did get a cool pressie from Duke- a tattoo voucher!!

Duke had banana with apple puree today and loved it....another tip mix potatoe puree with pumpkin it takes a little of the orange out- it stains less!

And only buy dark coloured bibs not with anything that can distract little eyes and fingers while eating.....SO ANNOYING!! In fact I have pulled out my old black T-shirts and Duke wears them inside out when he eats as he is soo messy....hmmmm think thats from me!!??

ps. congrats to a beautiful friend of mine who has just found out she's gonna be a mumma!!

Love Soph + Duke

CPR and what it really means...a must read for everyone.

1st Aid. what we learnt.
PART ONE. pass this info on.

It was an article in the STM on a Sunday that really shook me to the bone. any mum I knew that read it was really moved.

A mum, went to go check on her 7 month old that was asleep during the day......she walked in and found him tangled in his bedding and unconscious.
She preformed CPR and saved his life. Thankgod she went to check on him when she did. and more importantly she knew what to do.

I couldn't get it out of my mind all weekend. Was checking on Duke every 15 mins that day.
But What would I do in that situation? Would I be calm enough to remember what to do from all my first aid courses I have done?? I carry a CPR card in my wallet and have a first aid book mounted on the side of the fridge but after reading this I wanted to get up to make sure I hadn't forgotten.
When my girlfriend organised a course specialising in children my husband and I jumped at the chance....2 x Fri nights for 3 hours. I would recommend anyone with kids and really everyone should do a private course like this.

Our instructor is an ex ambo with over 15 years is experience had given us all the ability and confidence within ourselves to preform CPR on anyone. He is brill ant and I will recommend him to anyone. His aim was to teach CPR too us in the most simplest form to make us confident to remember it in a stressful panic situation and with this confidence it will eliminate the inital panic of "i dont remember what to do"

A few things that he explained which was REVOLUTIONARY that everyone must know-
He asked us what CPR meant- the whole groups responses were "to get the heartbeat back", "to revive them", "to get them to breath again"

We were all wrong. here is what we learnt which you need to know. pass it on.

• when CPR is preformed on someone with no heartbeat they are dead- there is basically no chance that you can restart the heart with just this alone. So no not like the TV shows they will not wake up from CPR given or start coughing. The defibrillator which the Ambos have in the ambulances shocks the heart to pump again. this shocked us all.

• CPR is only done to KEEP the BRAIN alive until a defib comes. By blowing in 2 breaths and pumping 30 the chests circulated oxygen to the brain and its solely to stop brain damage until the heart can be shocked to start again.


• You have 4 minutes until brain damage sets in....so you do CPR until the ambos arrive.


• He said he has seen people do CPR for over an hour, ambo arrives and shocks the heart into beating again and they have survived no brain damage because CPR was administered until they came.

• He has seen so many situations where someone has collapsed in a public place, everyone is standing back as no one is confident to do CPR as they cant remember how many breaths, compressions ect and are scared to do it as they might get it wrong. Our teacher said that you can do nothing wrong and everything wrong by NOT doing anything. when someones heart has stopped...just breath into the mouth, see that the chest is rising (if not the airway is blocked and not tilted) and pump the heart with 30 compressions.....just that alone could save someone until help arrives. you are saving the brain.

• He told us another situation of a family who had a family member have a heart attack at home, they preformed CPR for 20 mins and he didnt wake up so they stopped CPR as they thought it was too late....5 mins later the ambos arrived, shocked the heart and revived him BUT as they stopped doing CPR the 4 mins elapsed and alive but brain dead. If the family had known that he wouldnt just come around and wake up and kept up 2 breaths then 30 compression he would have survived.


• A lot of falls and knocks that cause people to become unconcious dies from major problem- choking on the tongue. It is so important to tilt the head back that simple manoeuvre saves lives instantly.

• Easy as this- Dr ABC.

• D anger (check for danger dont put yourself in any)


• R esponse (tap them, speak to them, check the chest too see if the chest is rising. Dont check pulse as you can confuse your pulse as theres. if chest isnt rising they aren't breathing as the heart isnt pumping. )


• A irway (open airway, tilt adults back)


• B reathing ( 2 breaths, make sure chest rises)


• C ompressions ( 1 finger up from bottom of sturnum, 30 compressions, )

and don't stop until ambulance arrives ( in perth he said you could be up to 20 mins on a busy night!)

• With Baby CPR- never tilt the head back on a baby (this can block the airway), two small breaths to make the chest rise (careful not too blow too hard as it damages the lungs) and the compressions are 30 with your 2 fingertips 1/3 of the body width down.)


• In an emergency and on a mobile dial 112. The reason behind this is that no matter what service provider you are with, anywhere in the world this call will go straight to the emergency call centre. So if you are in an area with no reception on your phone, 112 will be picked up another service provider. Also if your phone is locked, putting in 112 will automatically dial and unlock the phone as in an emergency you may not know how too unlock another person 's so punch in 112 and it will unlock!

Next week I will post some more info from week 2 , email me if you would like me too pass on our instructors details

Love soph + duke

x

x

Routines- these are the easiest I've found so far!

Ok Need to share this with you all (E got me onto this) this is the easiest and less strict routines I have read so far and makes the most sense. Some of them are crazy!
Go to the link and download the PDF files on the side-

http://www.babybliss.com.au/Services/purchase.htm


Love soph n duke
xx

solids or should I say PUREE!!

As a mum, your baby's weight becomes a focus point to obviously see that they are thriving. Duke's baby doctor check up at 6 weeks was something that stuck in my mind. He was underweight. by only 200g but it has stuck with me. Its also hard not too compare your baby with others and compared to other boys his age he wasn't as big. Little Duke could breastfeed well but not for long (what the books recommended anyway) and I had no idea what he was actually getting Mls wise. Eating on the boob hasn't been his strong point but stoked we got too 4.5 months.


As soon as he showed me he wanted the bottle (milk had dried up), he has LOVED it and started to reach out, grab his bottle and guide it into his mouth to drink, and from him being in the bottom 25% percentile this was exciting for me. But if you fed him 1/2 hour too early he wouldn't drink it, but give him 20 mins and he'll cry he'll wolf the whole bottle.Like his mum he likes to eat (well ok eat and drink!)

I could also finally see how much he is taking in and he is putting weight on more consistently. Such a relief. I wanna have a chubba bubba!!
He had some strange stages on the boob which would stump me and I had rung Ngala about...sometimes he cracked it , and I mean crack it when I put him near the boob??!! So confusing at the time but looking back I think sometimes he just wasn't hungry sometimes as we sometimes are and this is evident when you give him the bottle earlier than when he actually wants it!!

So the next step is solids. most books to hold out for 6 months, "Save our sleep" said try at 4 months some rice cereal so I was willing to try anything for D to bulk out.


tried the Farax rice cereal but was happy to taste it but showed not much interest.looked gross.


Z, my bestie recommended the "Raffety's Garden" cereal. Unreal. Lets give it a crack.

I tried it first and YUM. CJ tried it- "that's good." Duke took to this like a duck to water. Fed this to him after his 7-7.30 bottle. I now secretly eat this as a snack. cant wait too try it with banana.

Duke starts too have cereal with his lunchtime bottle and at 5pm.

Next stage. Homemade Puree.

I tried the Heinz Apple puree and duke hated it. Screwed up his face, so funny. hated my apple verson too. Uh oh.

Went to Z +C's house and he had some pumpkin and sweet potato puree. Bingo. Ate all of it.

Ok it's time to pull out the unused kitchen aid for a arvo of puree. such a bugger to clean up. Made batches and froze them in ice trays for easy storage.
(It's also heaps easier to feed them with a skinny long spoon. I bought the Tomme Tippe one as it was a pack of three but heaps of other brands do them too)

Duke starts to get a bit stuffed up with all the pumpkin and cereal, the grunting gives this away as does his little poos. he has to get some fruit into him!! Tried my homemade fruit purees and looks like Matt preston trying them.

next step- back to supermarket and I take a punt on the Apple, Pear and Cinnamon.

After pouring it straight onto the spoon no mess, no peeling, cleaning up -this is the best $1.6 Ive spent in ages....and drum roll after a couple of goes Duke loves this after his dinner and has freed up his grunting! problem solved. This stuff rocks. Bought 12 packs of it today. Nice and easy what more could you want??!!

Here is rough description of a typical day in the life of Duke @ 5 mnths

6-6.30 wake

7-7.30 bottle. cereal @ 8-8.30

8.30-9 sleepies

10.30-11.30 wake and Play

11.30-12 Bottle

12.30 Pumpkin followed by apple

1pm sleepies

2-2.30 wake and play time

3.3o- 4 Bottle

4-5 nap (sometimes won't want one but needs it)

5pm Pumpkin followed by apple

5.30 duke loves us reading him books

6-6.30 Bath, bottle bed by 7pm

11pm-1.30am Bottle

Love Soph n duke

xxx

the last drink. the first hangover.

The last drink.

ok so you've just found out your pregnant and you think back to your last drink and last big night. Your quietly excited as you are so over drinking and its the best excuse to get super healthy and become a part time taxi.

My last big night I was pregnant and didn't know. I can tell you the exact it was the date wed 6th August and it was the Rusty W09 fashion launch and it was LARGE. So Large that by Saturday I was still in a world of hurt thinking I just can't back it up like I used too (and gave the Sat night before the wed a big nudge too at my mate's A.S house. remember that one girls??! ouch). I was feeling THAT sick I just had this feeling something was up. I think you just know. So Sunday I couldn't move off the couch except to bolt down and get a test.

BINGO. YOUR A WINNER. SCRATCH AGAIN.
++++++++++++++++POSITIVE+++++++++++++++++++






This was the front cover of the Sunday Times when we found out. very ironic as it summed up how I felt. bring it on.
That inital feeling you get is sheer joy followed by OMG. who do we tell? do I do another test? How can I make it not obvious until we get the all clear? (hard for me when Im vomiting in my bin at work) and yes I had a big night whilst pregnant and was a bit worried- I went to my GP and she assured me that it was going to be ok and it was early days for it to affect the baby.
all good.
good tip not to give anything away of all of a sudden you aren't no drinking-I threw off my work crew at a function I emptied 3 beers, filled them with lemonade. too easy.


Then when its offical it's game on. Your husband works out that everywhere you go they can drink as you are driving FOR 10 MONTHS plus up too another 6-12 if you breastfeed!!
Bbqs. Late arvo catch up with friends. Bali trip. melbourne cup. dvd launches. boys lunch/all nighters. christmas. Boxing day. New years. and then the wedding season in there over summer- bux parties, and the wedding day.



I must admit it was my biggest frustration was not because I wanted to drink (NB. I was so sick and the smell of alcohol even on someones breath made me sick in the early days, ask that model that came to our casting stinking of vodka ) but seeing your partner drunk and having a good time while you are vomiting and feeling crook all day, not sleeping as you are weeing all the time, completely uncomfortable and not because it's self inflicted (well its sort if is?!) starts to wear a little bit thin.

You just want them to say"how about tonight I won't drink with you". Just once. for for some understanding. But why waste a night not drinking when you have a driver??!!



It wasn't until my Xmas party at rotto I actually felt like having a drink so I had non alcoholic beer and a champers and I had THE best day completely sober while my 100 or so colleagues went nutty, then went to pick up my other half from his christmas do. Super stoked to watch everyone else have a day throwing up with me!

So my conclusion? Boys just don't and can't get what your going through. Doesn't matter how vivid your description of being pregnant or unless they were a girl in there previous life it they won't get it.The sooner I realised that the easier it was.



The first hangover.

So its been over a year since I've had a hang over. forgotten what it feels like. I did go out with a bang the year before so I had a small reminder of the pain.

Rusty w10 launch was last week and since stopped breastfeeding so I'm thinking I'm ready for a small step in going out. baby steps as it also a school night. babysitter is organised.

My face hurts from smiling. So nice to be out socialising and seeing live music. It's been over a year since I've tasted a JD and coke and worn heels. feel like I have a little bit of the ol' soph back. have 4 JDs and by 11pm I am throwing up in the toilets. The new Soph is a Lightweight.

Home by 12, feeling ok just tired and I swear Duke knows I've been out as he proceeded to wake 4 times which is unusual for him. CJ doesn't hear one cry as he is in the world of zzzzzzzzzs.

Work the next day was HARD. the lack of sleep outweighed the seediness and by 5pm I was trying to keep my eyes open but had to feed, bath and get duke to bed.



My conclusion? Enjoy your first hangover knowing that your bub is being looked after the next day. My girlfriends and I are counting down the days till Rotto raft up and kids will be spending the night at the nanna and pops so after nearly 2 years us girls can let our hair down and relax knowing that the world of hurt will consist of just us the next day.



Until then no Ive banned myself -no more than 2 wines as it's just not worth the pain...until the festive season!

Love soph + duke

http://www.website-hit-counters.com

flat head. what I wish we knew.

We weren't aware that "flat head" is not just a baby having a flat bit at the back of the head. there is more too it.
Plagiocephaly. the word is enough to scare any new parent.


New parents need to know to make sure that their baby doesn't favour one side when sleeping. as if you havent got enough to think about??!!

duke has obviously favoured the right side in the womb and for 8 weeks sleep facing right. at our 8 week check up our nurse pointed out his "Flat Head" . We were both floored when we look closely.

One his side of his head was round and the other was flat. One ear is forward than the other when you look from above and this could have been avoided if we had only been vigilant in those first 8 weeks turning him and not letting favour this side.
We couldn't stop noticing it and we were both were rattled about it.
of course we Got on the net- Helmets can fix this but only early on. Uh oh.
Special pillows can prevent this. unreal.
The nurse told us to not to let him sleep on that right side so off i went and got a "heart shaped pillow" for flat head sold at the baby shops designed by a paeditrican.

used this for a while and worked but SIDs was in the back of my mind as you are not suppose to put anything of the sort in the cot. Thanks community nurse.
Pillow was gone. The next visit the nurse said it will improve as he growns into his head but still too keep turning him. agreed. we will all be doing this.

So game plan. we check every hour before we go to bed and he constantly gets turned and never wakes up, he is such a sound sleeper and grunts as he gets tunred over like a snagger on the bbq
the GP has told us he will have this and we just have too make sure it dosen't get worse.

Key points to avoid flat head syndrome;

place baby on their side when awake

lots of tummy time

turn cot around every few days- babies will turn their head away from the wall

Duke has put on some good weight now he started the rice cereal 2 x day and the bottle and you wouldn't notice only if I pointed out too you. I can really notice his flat head when you look at him in the mirror. I know of several other new parents who again weren't aware of this so I really hope this helps anyone who reads this.

Love soph + duke

heading back 2 work.
part one.the balancing act.

for those out there like me before kids work has and been my life for so long.
It was our choice for me to work as like everyone we have a mortgage and it would have been hard to bring someone in for a small period of time to cover my job.

I've been working in the industry for 15 years and I have my dream job. I love my job. I love the people I work with. I have never worked for a company that I believe in more. I love the achievements you get and the job satisfaction. my job is a big part of who I am.

then when you become a mum you have something that needs just YOU to survive. 24-7.
it becomes a juggling act and does take some time to adjust.

When duke was 5 weeks I took him into work for a week. The plan was I work some days from home and come into the office when I need too. I am so lucky to work for a company who welcomed me with duke in tow back to work and very fortunate to have crew who were happy to have duke in the meetings as we all worked. I'll take the opportunity to thank HR and my manager S.O , S.R and A.M for their support. And the coffee truck. large skinny cap 3 sugars please.

so I fed him, changed nappies and he slept all in the meeting room and was even rocked in his pram by the crew even some of guys. Brilliant.

but when it comes to getting your work done and you have a dealine you start to get a little frustrated as he would wake and cry just when you had too finish what you were doing your thinking "come on just another 5 mins and I 'll have it all finished" but then your thoughts immediately turn into "oh sh*t your crying I need to pick you up for a cuddle and see what's wrong".

All of a sudden you are in shock that you realise that you thought "work" first then "baby."
Hang on where's my motherly instinct??!! How could I have done that!
Guilt sets in why the hell did I think work first??!! but this is how its been for so long in your life that it's only natural for you too juggle a new priority.
It does change, I promise. The priority shifts and before long duke is now my first thought. but it didn't come straight away. how can it when you have had your brain trained this way for so long?!

The day this happened I had been at work for 2 hours and my dad rang and he was upset and duke was crying in the background. my dad NEVER gets upset so I knew something was wrong all I could make out was "Dukes not taking his bottle come home". I got off the phone, grabbed my keys and ran out of work and was at mum and dads within 2 minutes. Poor dad was sweating as Duke doesn't cry often so when he does its quite scary. As soon as I he saw me he started smiling. Little bugger. He just wasn't hungry and made sure PaPa knew about it.

I couldn't go back to work with out the help of my husband and my parents especially my dad who is a retired 68 yr old and now a part time nanny. he is amazing- walking the streets of churchlands with the bugaboo and changing nappies. talk about a new age grandparent. he loves it and misses the days Im not at work. so great for duke to have this special bond with his PaPas and Memes.

Last week I was at work for 5 days, up at 6.30, feed at 7 dropped off Duke at mum and dads at work by 8, run to mum and dads for a breastfeed at 2 (he was bottle fed @ 11)back to work then my husband picked him up at 4 then I'm home at 6 for feed, bath and bed then up at 12 and 3 for feeds then the new day starts again.
I'm no super mum (but been called a crazy) by any means as there are mums out there that do this with 3++ kids plus clean the house, you just do what you have too but I won't lie I did get the guilt's especially when my dad said duke can hold his own bottle now. a small achievement and where was I??!

I also felt a bit guilty as I tried to breastfeed 3 times in the morning, the arvo and at night it was just a got bit too hard to time when duke was hungry in the arvo. he then started to want the bottle instead. I want ed to at least get too breastfeed until 6 months (what the book said) but now it had already been decided- bottle it is and Duke made that decision for me. all sweet. happy days.

My beautiful friend E who is also a working mum sent me these words on an email that week and it made me feel so much better-

"If you can make your little man smile everyday you are doing a fab job. The best lesson I believe as a mother to pass to your children is to be happy and love life. Now there is no question that you are giving that to Duke. He will always be your number one priority and the best part about that is that he knows that...."

now duke's on the bottle full time it has made the decision that over the next few months I can start two full days in the office and the 2 days are the same so theres a routine/continuity for everyone (around my dads fishing days)!!

PS- This post is just me sharing what I'm going through and no means saying that going back to work is right or wrong, you just have to do what's right for you and your famliy. But if you have to, you need to know that it really is managable and you can do it with a good support system and some organisation and is trually rewarding being able to hold onto a bit of you in such a crazy time. and the day's you are at home you appreciate, and yes I might try and do some of that cleaning....NOT!!

some stuff to lust after

before duke I would go and buy this sick tee without hesitation. I'm in love with it but its about 10 packs of nappies. so i'll just post it for all those who can buy.

http://www.sassandbide.com

In the meantime here is my little secret place where you can buy something without the guilt (got some mad grey harem pants for $20) as most things are under $100.
Nothing better than a little parcel arriving to your doorstep. They swap sizes and give credits so no worries if you get it and the gold old boobs don't fit the 12.

http://www.freezeclothing.com.au/


Love this MinkPink dress for only $55.


WARNING . here are some other amazing wedsites for shopping for bub. will post more as I go.





For boys for need TEE PEES...yes they catch the sprays that are coming your way!

http://www.nursingangel.com.au/

http://www.designchild.com.au/

http://www.thehipinfant.com.au/

http://www.justforboys.com.au/index.htm

http://www.kidostore.com/





http://www.rockyourbaby.com/

wow. this store is amazing check out these knitted gumboots. perfect for gifts that are made with love.


http://www.madeit.com.au

Problem Two. Leaking nappies

think this one is a pure boy problem.

early days we had this problem. newborn nappies says up to 5kg. duke would have these random wet patches up his back and he was only approx 4kg. this was happening often but didnt even know that there was "infant boys" nappies until dad bought them for us. they say 4-8kg and this solved the random wet problem. again no one tells you this!

operation double nappy.
day one.
so @ 4.5 mnths duke sleeps till midnight, skulls 240ml the off to zzzzzzzz. only a few times he gets through till 7am. he's done it but not too often. this night he
wakes at 2am. wet through too his wrap and sheets.
4am. try a crawler nappy (size up) wet again. second change.

day two.
mum gave us this environmental nappy so I use this over his huggies infant. feeling pretty confident i have this solved. 3am duke tells me that I need to get a better solution.

day three
do some Internet study on this. off to coles to buy the recommended coles brand nappy plus put a pad in for extra protection. 2am again duke sings out. soaked again.

day four
going through so many wondersuits buy the last 2 at harbourtown.
Put the infant nappy on then on top the crawler nappy over it.
SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!

soph + duke
x

Problem one. why is he not eating enough?

am I the only one that doesn't know that teats come in different speeds?

so after a week back at work and running to my parents to breastfeed duke in the arvo's and him not being hungry when I get there the decision was made for me. 100% bottles. the books call it weaning. sounds a bit like what a zoo keeper would do. i'm actually hating the word.

I was trying to at least breastfeed 3 times a day while I was at work (with 2 bottles given) and its achievable for days here and there but my milk was slowing going after a full week of it.
Won't lie you do feel a bit sad. Its only human too feel this as you are the service provider (like telstra) and all of a sudden they don't rely solely on you. but hang on....that means anyone can feed and yes you can have that SECOND GLASS OF WINE!!!!!

so off I go and buy 6-8 bottles. breastfeeding was ace. no cleaning so convenient. anywhere and anytime.
I feed duke for a week on the bottles and I'm getting REALLY worried. He is taking only 50ml - 80ml a feed during the day and 200ml at night. he is playing with the bottle teat like a toy, chewing it. The formula tin says he should be doing 180-240 ml a feed!!!!
Hhhmmmmmmmmm.
eating has never been duke's forte (and is a lightweight who I cant wait for him to bulk up.) so I'm thinking he's just getting used to his new menu. I've rung nagala a few times but I'm not sure if they will be able to help me on this one.
We go off too woolies for our weekly shop. always love the baby section and I see that there is some separate "teats" for the tommee tippee bottles. Size 1 says 0+ months. This horrible thought sweeps across me. poor duke has been trying to suck his dinner through a pin hole!!!
we purchase a twin set, rush home and guess what...duke skulls back 240ML. and another 240ML.

feeling like a bad parent. and happy to report he is loving his "bot bot" and reaches for it. he never did that for the boob!

soph + duke
xx

some good stuff to purchase.

some good stuff to purchase.

how hard is it...being a professional shopper for myself and all of a sudden you a shopping in a whole new world. a world of colours you don't want in your house. not much beige or black.

I remember walking into babyroad and having a thought of "i have no idea about anything".

so I grabbed the sales lady and said "tell me everything I need, no crap, just get to the goods that I cannot live without please." she happily obliged and started showing me what was the beginning of the never ending journey for consumer goods to make your life easy. bring it on.


Bumbo seat. funny name but best buy. From 4 mnths onwards. Grab the table while your there. (Thx E)

http://www.babyroad.com.au/

http://www.bumboseat.com/

Rainforest play gym. Pretty ugly but hours of entertainment. good for hand eye co ordination.


Hexagonal play pen. great for keeping mess all in one spot. and pooch doesn't have to go outside every time duke plays on his playmat. also when he starts crawling no need to stress about crawling off to something dangerous in the house.



http://www.babyland.com.au


sophie the giraffe. made in Switzerland from special non toxic plastic.(thx z)
so cute and squeaks. don't leave this one around the pet. pooch is dream is too wrap her chops around this.
gets banned regularly as duke has no patience if he can't get it in his mouth quick enough.

Tomme Tippee Nappy Wrapper. my husbands best suggestion.why we didn't get this earlier. no more running to the bin with a stinky bomb. you put nappy in bin, turn the dial and boom...a nappy tucked away like a sausage that wont make you dry reach. Empty when you get to 28 nappies.

Bottle Sterilizer. now duke is on the "bot bots" this has proven a good buy. they tell you now you don't have to sterilize and only hot water wash but I'm doing both. wash bottles, stack this baby up and within minutes they are steamed and all ready to go in the fridge.

Milkscreen. for the nights you are hanging for a taste of wine these tell you if there is any alcohol in the milk.

http://www.milkscreen.com.au/%20..

HoMedics Lullaby Soundspa
my girlfiend JR gave us this and its been unreal- plays soothing sounds (heartbeat, ocean, rain, twinkle twinkle) we LOVE the rain and my husband can't sleep without it as we hear it through the monitor. It aslo has a projector that projects moving images (you get 3 disks) onto the roof...this is PERFECT when duke wakes up a bit early he lies and watches sheep, and falls back to sleep!

Tommee Tippee formula dispenser. Has 3 sections, put in the scoops needed and just turn the lid around for the next feed. Ace for going out and about and for that late night feed, bang- pour in what you need and no measuring needed.

its game on

and finally the day arrives.

its so good too have no expectations. again everyones births are chalk and cheese. Fast and Furious. Slow and steady. its like a lucky dip you dont know what you'll get. that's half the fun.

Looking back those first 3 weeks are a blur. For those ex -party people like myself I can't describe the first couple of days anything but like the days after a weekend bender. So tired but functioning and running on pure arednaline.

Some tips and thoughts on the first few weeks. no bars held.

From my girlfriend (FB), make sure you check your due date isnt on a Eagles/Dockers game at Subi....if so plan an alternative route to the hospital and parking.

If you are with HBF and are having an Epidural ask the anethasist if he is alined with HBF as if he is you dont have too pay and are fully covered. Some aren't and you'll get the bill there and then.

Some truths. We were in total shock after the birth. they say at your birth classes you don't love your baby straight away, we all thought "of course you do!" "what are you talking about?? its your baby!"
There is some truth in what that midwife said. They can come out pretty banged up and blue and swollen like duke did after forceps/vacuum delivery. it took a few days for all his swelling to subside on his head and its true it takes a day too get your head around it all.

If you have stitches down there make sure you ask for a physio as they come around to your room and do ultrasound on your wound as it speeds up the healing process and covered by HBF (thx E)

Plan a visitor schedule for day 2. best to let crew know what time and when to come too stop too many at once. Mayhem.

Make sure you try to walk outside during your stay, you can go days without leaving your room.

Breast feeding pillows are unreal (thx E) makes it more comfy for feeding.

breatfeeding is an art and I found it harder than I thought. hang in there and there are so many people that can help out out like lactaion consultants. If you are with HBF you can have one come visit you at home fully covered.

Lansinoh. need a few tubes. saves those poor tired over worked nipples.

Grab yourself a tummy recovery tube (thx J) its like a thick tube sock and wear it around your tummy, great for recovery holding it all in. Think its from chemists?

Cabbage Leaves works wonders for sore boobs. Didn't believe the midwives until my milk came in. Not sure why but cold they are so soothing. Can never eat cabbage again though.

Dummies. Love 'em. not a dirty word.
The $2 happy baby ones are unreal. (thx E)
Some crew are anti dummies but again it's WHATEVER gets you through. Duke sucked in the womb and a lot of babies do, I watch Duke's eyes roll back in his head when he gets one at night. Contentment. Again dummies come in ages 0 mnths 3+ mnths ect and I didn't pay much attention to this and was wondering why duke kept smitting his out, he needed to go up a size.
I'd rather let duke suck a dummy than his thumb as you cant throw away a thumb. usually they then get rid of them themselves as you dont see 10 yr olds walking around with them.

So many amazing midwives and so many diferent approaches. ask as many questions and ask about the recovery classes that are held while you are there. again PELVIC floor one is highly recommended.

Ask your ob if you can pay him/her in Jan if you are close to delvering this date as you reach the medicare levvy straight away and every visit to the GPs/Doc/baby doc you get 90% back for the rest of the year.

If you don't worry you just get back more $$ of the fee paid to the ob up front.

There is a place to fit your carseats near PMH (Kidsafe and costs you about $25) (thx Z)
If not you can do it yourself as we did just follow the instructions.

Stock up on pads and breast pads. I think you need about ten packets and I kept having to get more from the shops as they don't tell you that you bleed for a few weeks afterwards.The thin ones I found were just as good as the maternity ones. Breastpads I never thought I'd use all of the boxes I had.

Get someone to organsie milk, bread and some basics ect so you dont have too detour past the shopping centre on the way home.

Nap when baby naps. I found this really hard as Im not a daytime sleeper and was worried I wouldnt hear baby so ask a friend or family member to come hangout for a couple of hours while I had a hour or so, I found it reassuring to nap when someone else was around. Its amazing what an hour does for you.

Everyone will want to visit you at home. One visitor a day I def recommend and make sure too say no if you aren't feeling up too it as some days you just wont feel like it.

Keep a diary of feeds, sleeps ect in early days. its fu too look back on as you forget what you did in those early days.

Always accept home cooked meals offered. freezer becomes a goldmine.

Whatever you do if you are in any pain anywhere when you get home call your ob and or GP. I was in pain thinking it was normal as I had stitches but ended up having a uterus infection that was easliy cleared up with anitbiotics.

EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY......
The car ride home is the slowest you'll ever drive.
When we got home it all changed it was like we had a different baby who went from sleeping all the time at the hospital to not so much so I rang my girlfriend who has 3 kids she recommened a 3 hr routine of feeding every three hours then no more than an hr awake time followed by a sleep. Duke loved this routine and took too it like a duck to water and worked for us.

It all depended on when he woke in the morning but he was on the boob approx every 3 hrs. this helped me with my milk and also made duke feel secure as he knew a feed was next.

He has had a bath everynight, then feed then bed no later than 6.30-7 and this has been his staple since day dot. I think this helps as if during the day is different they know that bed is approaching.

Have weekly goals for you and bub- week 3 we went in the car by ourselves to a friends house.
week 6 off to the grocery shop. little things that are planned. Pram check. Nappy bag check.

What happens If you need to put petrol in the car with the baby??!! (thx Z)
We workshopped this between us and we thought after you put the fuel in move your car as close to the shop part as possible so you can see the bub from the shop window? Obviously not on a hot day but I know you are not suppose to leave your kids in the car but what happens if they are asleep?!

Showers???!! Tried to start my day with one as soon as the bub is sleeping as it makes you feel so much better. I bought a rainforest chair and after a couple of weeks when he was a little bigger I had a shower I would put the chair in the bathroom while I showered.

When you are feeding at 2am think about the millions of other mums up across the world doing what you are doing! (thx K)

Always go to bed with your feeding station set up ready to go wen you go to bed- remotes, and water bottle all in place ready nothing worse when you are super thirsty and no water on hand.

( E. Thanks for all your tips and advice. x)

The Best Advice given so far..

The best advice given to me so far has been from a guy.

yes you've read correctly.

With all the craziness surrounding the birth, its really, really important to remember do this.

"Love one another"

There is so much love for the baby from everyone but its vital that you take the time to love your partner and vise versa.

In times of stress it easy to take it out on the person close to you. Especially with lack of sleep.

Thank them always. Even for the small stuff and they will do it for you again. Tell them you love them and take time for yourselves (this is always hard)

This advice was given to me from a dad at my Xmas party and it has been our motto. (Thanks P.)

The other quote thats stuck with me is

"there is nothing you can do wrong".

true. every baby is different. none are the same. no wrong way or a right way. so many opinions and advice but thats all that they are. trust your instincts always. do only what works for YOU.

baby shoot.

baby shoot.

they grow so quick and having pics too look back on is priceless. here are some awesome photographers I recommend who are amazing with babies. It really makes a difference if you have someone who specialise in shooting bubs.

Shoot bub at about 5 wks and take a change of clothes for yourselves. poo and wee are guaranteed (wearing white I was asking for it)

In WA.

Arlene Bax
http://www.arlenebax.com/

Rae Threnoworth
http://www.blueelement.com.au

IN NSW
Lee Illfield
http://www.luvleephotography.com/

they dont tell you but it's really 10 months....

Some notes for you beautiful pregnant creatures out there......

• I put away all my clothes that didn't and weren't going too fit under my bed out of the way....I had forgotton about them and now it feels like I have a new wardrobe (the Tsubis are staying under the bed).


• Head to your newsagency and purchase your new bible '"Kids Shop to you Drop" and "Cosmopolitan Pregnancy" magazine. Dangerous reading material.


• Buy the Book "Baby Love" by Robin Barker. The bible. I keep going back to this book it is very relevant.


• The library has all the popular baby books so go join as I am loving the library for all the kids books....will save you $$$. More on my love for the library later.


• Have a study time in bed with your partner before bed- get him to read a chapter out loud from your baby book you are reading. best way too both learn some stuff.


• Its early Days no one knows and have to go out? Worried that everyone will know if you arent drinking? Fill a beer bottle with lemonade, no one will ever guess.


• There is non alcoholic beer (less than 1%) its German and tastes like the real thing if you are craving it. Tuart Hill bottle shops stock it. Also note there is Yellow "Jewel" a low joule alcoholic champagne if you are craving a taste.


• Make sure you go too Forever New (Morley, Karringyup, Claremont) I bought size 14 stretch jeans for $20 and cut them off to shorts....those sales racks are full on bargain size 14 and 16s! Check out Sportsgirl sale rack too for some larger sizes at silly prices.


• Supre has some hidden pregnancy gems- loose kaftans and get some black tights you will live in them.


• Stretchy maxi dresses...buy as many as you can possibly find- so comfy no brainer!
  
• You can get Hungry Jacks Whoppers at 7am...yes I did devour one amongst all the hung over breakfast goers.I vomited and dry reached my way through 9 months, chips, burgers and bread saved me as its was a 9 month hangover without the fun!


• While pregnant do not eat a banana split, attempt to play Wii bowling and get into a brand new car with a black leather interior.......its super hard to get vomit smell out of a new car. was the angriest I have seen my husband!


• Have a baking day with your mum- bake lots of lasagne's, pastas, anything that be frozen and re heated when you get home from hospital the last thing you feel like is cooking.


• Start recording in your diary all the nights out your partner is having. This will come in handy later.


• Buy a coffee machine now. You will thank yourself in 9 months.


• Foxtel Discovery Channels play baby documentries at 2am....great to watch while you are doing the early morning feed. Foxtel is one luxury too keep. get rid of the gym membership you never use.
  
• Grab some cheap maternity bras at Harbour town underwear outlets store- this is were you also get cheap baby bonds.


• Burger and chip cravings DO eventually subside...but turn into sweet cravings on the other side!


• make sure you have a digi camera that you can video with and grab some extra memory cards.....it is so great to be able too look back on the early days when they are so small. Make sure you video the first bath at the hospital!


• Grab yourself a belly pillow...comfort, sleep and food is high priority!
  
• Take a pic of your belly in stages- how cool to show your bub your bump then they are older. Check out Rae's web site she specialises in shooting bellies and bubs-

http://www.blueelement.com.au/

• Grab a getaway with your partner now....a little holiday just the 2 of you is much needed.


• Do what ever makes you feel good....shopping included.


• Ebay all those dresses you will never wear again. Then hit the shops for new and improved as what you buy you will need and wear after the birth. no one tells you but it takes a while for the stomach too go down. do not attempt to try your skinny jeans on straight away.


• Get your eyelashes dyed before hospital. No more Mascara.


• In hospital organise for visitors to come after you have all have day on your own....and restrict visitors to only a few per day, although you feel excited and up too it, it can end up being too much for yourself and bub later that night.


• Rather than wear PJs all day in hospital take some casual clothes, you'll feel a bit normal having a shower and wearing clothes than PJs (thx C.B).


• Organise a mate to bring in sushi, blue cheese and any no no foods into hospital. You deserve it.


• If you don't want a baby shower have a "meet n greet" the bub when you get home. Great way too have everyone over at once and the guys involved.
• We had my shower at Tea Leaf in Mount Lawley (one in Cott too). We had high tea and who can resist cupcakes, tea and sandwiches with no crusts?! yum.
  
• For a different baby shower activity get that inner designer out-grab some glue/lace, iron on transfers and customise baby bonds singlets.


• Another cool idea my bestie did for me she gave all my friends at the shower was a bulb to plant the day duke was born. so cute.

• a baby shower idea for a girl grab a cool box and grab quotes and words of wisdom that you and your girlfriends want to pass on then create a "glory box" to give the baby girl on her 16th birthday- here is a ripper from C.M for my bestie Z.M's little girl-

"Never go grey. Live with no regrets. Verve is the ONLY Champagne you should ever drink. Always dance like no one is watching. When you think you are getting away with something, just remember, your Mum & Dad have done it before. And probably have done it ten times worse than you. Never let go of the ones you love. You cannot buy style. Live, Laugh and Love everyday. Travel the world, do the unexpected. Take risks, otherwise you will never know....... "

• if you can send your parents to the "St John of God" Subi grandparent info day- great way for them to be involved but also learn what has changed since we were bought up as a lot has....we all used to sleep! on our tummies.


• Go and buy a massive 12-24 pack of black undies. stock up on pads and breast pads now.


• Finish your room early- last thing you want to be doing is putting furniture together with a week to go.


• DO YOUR PELVIC FLOORS NOW! hindsight is a wonderful thing.
  
  

getting started....what we did.

GETTING STARTED.

I found out we were having a boy so it was game on when it was time to hit the shops for his room.

Cotton on for Kids was my first point of call, black skinny leg jeans were purchased from the chix section was bought with no practical thought in sight.

Some notes on getting started. I did Dukes room for under $400.....half the price of some cots!

Ikea. THE best place on a budget. Here's the stuff to go for-

• We bought the white cot for $129 and its been my best buy beside the pram. Looks cool, doesn't take up space we live in a villa) and practical as its adjustable for 2 levels. Comes in a beautiful natural colour too. Mattress with springs also a good buy.


• a must have for the change table- a set of buckets that attach to the side of the change table to hold all the nappies, powder ect ($15)


• 4 packs of the ten pack of hand towels. These are all time for catching the wee sprays.


• the .99c white hand towels. Bought probably $40 worth as Ive chucked out the ones too hard to wash . Great for under baby while changing saving the change mat cover from being washed over and over.
• The bulk pack of white bibs, these are the best not too bulky and again saves you washing as you always have spares.


• The 2 pack mattress protector and bottom sheet pack- again buy a few packets ($16) you'll thank yourself when its 3am and there's a wet bed.


• Chair. This is the one I got for $179
• Shelves. Easy to attach to wall. $40
• Thanks too Amy for her suggestion- make sure you get the highchair, its the best one easy to clean and a BARGAIN!!!

BabyRoad Leach Hwy.
http://babyroad.com..au

Another must visit. Get there discount card when you buy the pram and buy all your big purchases and save up to 30% each buy.$$$$.
Bought pram, capsule, car seat and other misc items over a period of time and saved well over $500. Also has toilet handy for the pregnant customers in need. Staff are unreal.


THE PRAM. BUGABOO= love.

Ok I am now there biggest fan. Knew nothing of prams compared to my love for my wheels my Dodge Calibre.
I asked the very knowledgeable lady @ Babyroad to give the run down of EVER pram on the shop floor.....was a bit shifty as it was the most expensive one but being the lightest (7kg) and the easiest to manoeuvre (again small house) and the only pram to fit through every shopping isle (yes some don't fit through the narrow IGA checkouts). and its turning circle would put any car to shame. Sold.

Bought the black but got the tan coloured hood with vents for summer off ebay for $55.

Again its a slick looking pram and Duke made this his day bed in the early days. The cup holders and shopping bag hooks from ebay completed the added customised pimped version.
The footmuff was recently bought and Dukes now in the next bit and loves it. So great for those squeezed coffee shops and small car boots. Worth every cent spent (thanx mum and dad). test drive today.

http://bugaboo.com


WALL ART.
Didn't want to paint so found the most awesome site for wall decals. (they do take paint off be warned)
Check out http://www.stickee.com.au/shop/

EBAY.

Was really disappointed at the change tables on offer. Ikea's looked flimsy and the baby shops cost more than my cot $200++
Who to turn too?
Good old ebay. Bought my change table second hand for $100 and a fresh lick of non toxic white paint and we are all good. Very sturdy and has high sides so looks safe.

Cant sing the praises enough of Ebay especially for those expensive kids clothes you can snag for a deal. Bugaboo hols its resale value and check out how many people bidding for a second hand one.More on ebay to come.

Other bits and bobs bought early on.

• Mendela swing breast pump. stoked with this.
• Gro Egg .this cute egg light shows you temp of the room. solves the fight with your hubby if the room is too cold or hot. Look at the colour of the light and dress/wrap accordingly.
• Capsule vs car seat. Got one of each- one for my car the other for Cjs car. Definately loved having capsule for the early days of visiting doctors or running into shops to run and grab as they are still asleep. Again keep all boxes as resale value on ebay is good.
• Tommee Tippee monitor and breathing monitor. The breathing pad sensor underneath the mattress is debatable if needed as it gets a bit fiddly goes off if you don't remember to flick the switch off when you pick the baby up and scares everyone. We just use the monitor.
• Mobile for change table. Had it on cot but so much better to keep them occupied while changing. I love the Mamas and Papas.http://www.mamasandpapas.com/
• Mat for floor below change table. To catch and protect the carpet from flying wee (poo too) if you have a boy.
• Bonds Wondersuits. Bought a bag of all sizes and styles at the Bonds outlet store at Harbour town. Start stock piling now!
• Howards Storage. baby coathangers.
• Ergo Baby Carrier. A awesome baby carrier from newborn too toddler (front to back carrier) that is good for you back. (thanks jen)://www.ergobabycarriers.com

Will go into some more things that we purchased as as we go along but this is the start of your never ending search for goods that make your life eaiser.....

Soph + duke

x

here we go....

welcome.

My name is Sophie, I'm a 30 year old mum/rusty salesrep/wife who has become a first time mum to my boy Duke in April this year.

These 4 1/2 mnths have been nothing but trials and errors, and s crazy fun filled ride. Being a mum has rocked my very new world....so I've packed up my Tsbui skinnies and pulled out the matching adidas tracky.

I wanted to start this blog for all those new, mum's out there who like me are learning something new everyday, who are open to any idea's sent their way . I want to pass anything on too you that has (and hasn't helped) me along the way.

Seriously all those books are just totally confusing. Routines. Sleep. Parenting. Enough to send you to a state of confusion.

And how are all those baby products?! Crikey. If only it was as easy as buying that Sass and Bide dress off My Catwalk and hiding the parcel from your partner!

Its so overwhelming sometimes with all that info out there so this blog is mine and Duke's journey so far into the unknown. It's the information that I want too pass onto you will be anything and everything from tips on little boys busting wees out of nappies at 3am, to me discovering teets come in different flows after 2 weeks of Duke not drinking much, to the myth of cabbage leaves really do work. And that ugly bright rainforest swing has been a good buy.

I have had problems solved and helpful hints from my amazing mates, family and unbelieveable super mums out there . Thankyou for all your wisdom. You know who you are. The help you have given me needs to be passed on to everyone!

Feel free too post anything you want others to know as your own experiences are gold.

come share with us.

Love duke n soph