First Tastes: weaning baby second time around

Valentina is now 24 weeks old. At 22 weeks she had her first taste of baby porridge.  I would not say I’d begun to wean her, but I was curious to know if she would sleep longer with something a bit heavier.  RESULT: There was no difference. Perhaps there was not change, because it was a half-hearted attempt on my part.  At 23 weeks she had a bit of banana which she loved but it was more a taste than a feed. Now at 24 weeks I've decided to start weaning her.

23 weeks tasting 'nana

I’ll admit at this age Valentina is not as curious about food as Angelo was. He clearly wanted what we were eating and would try to grab it. I began weaning him at 5 ½ months.  He was (and still is) quite big for his age. I enjoyed weaning him, with the exception of baby rice there was nothing he would not try and devour.  Valentina on the other hand is still more interested in boob. However, the little tastes of other foods she has been given so she enjoys. She and I will take it slowly, especially because she's unable to sit up unaided.

24 weeks just tasted mango

I've also decided to wean her on the same foods that I prepared for Angelo. He is a strong solid boy and she will need to keep up with him and his antics. I’m going back to root vegetables I know from my childhood (also know as 'hard food'), such as :

Image from Pinterest via Earl Savage

• Dasheen
• Eddoes
• Plantains
• Sweet potatoes
• Tania
• Yams

Then I’ll incorporate the greens such as broccoli and spinach, as well as fish such as salmon.

Does your culture influence how and what foods you wean you baby on? I’d love to hear your tale of weaning your baby. Feel free so share recipes too!

Curls n Bow: caring from mixed texutured baby hair

Valentina’s hair is finally growing and filling out. I’m so excited thinking about all the hairdos I can attempt when she’s older. At the moment, my main focus is on caring for her scalp and tender curls. We have a simple hair regime that I may will revamp in a few months.

 Valentina is only five months old, so I keep the products to a bare minimum. I wash her hair roughly a couple times per week and at least on one occasion I'll do a pre-poo ([pre-shampoo treatment) before the wash. For the pre-poo, I use any natural oil I have at home at the point in time such as: olive oil, coconut oil, argan oil. Then I wash her hair with her baby head-to-wash.  Her hair always looks and feels silky and soft, but the curl pattern is smaller and denser than her brother, Angelo's. Hubby thinks her hair has now shape and she’ll be upset with us when she sees her baby pics, in a few years time.. My mum and sisters think I should start curling it.  

Today, I decided to giver Valentina  her first curl hairdo. Admittedly I'm very rusty from styling girls' hair. My sisters are now in their late 20's, which was the last time I had unlimited access to little girl's natural curly hair. Here are a few photos of Valentina's curls:

 

Valentina 5mths old

Angelo used to have lovely cherub like curls, before I started cutting it. I used to curl his hair too in order for it to dry after being washed, much to hubby’s displeasure. I could never get him to understand that in the Trinidad it's perfectly natural to curl or braid a boy's hair. Many boy's don't have their first hair cut until they can speak, or sometimes not untill they're ready to start school. Angelo had his first haircut after he started saying 'Da Da'. He was 16 months old by then.  Here are his pics when he was close to Valentina's age:

Angelo 4-5 months old

Angelo 6-7 months old

Hubby and I think its amazing how two siblings of different genders could looks so alike. Honestly, its not the same child. I assure you.

How do you care for and style you baby’s hair? Do you have any family or cultural rituals regarding your baby's hair? Got any product suggestions for curly babies.

Reasons To Be Cheerful: eking out me time

As I type Angelo is slowly making a recovery from yet another tummy bug. He came home from nursery fine, in his usual high spirits on Thursday. Next thing I know 3 am on Friday morning, he's up, crying and has a high temperature. Even cuddling him hurt. Thankfully, with his course of medicine and TLC he seems to be coming around and now keep down a little food.

So why am I cheerful:

• I'm cheerful that while Angelo catches bugs, he's getting strong after every one

• I'm cheerful that Valentina didn't have a bad turn due to her vaccinations

Maybellin'se ltd ed Color Show Rainforest Canopy

• I'm cheerful that I'm learning to eek out a little time for me. This week I painted my fingers AND MY TOES! What a liberty right?! I know!

image from Pinterest via Sanctury Spa

• My dear hubby stayed home with the kids yesterday which allowed me to attend a Kellogg's event. After the work came the play. We all went to Sanctuary Spa, Covent Garden, which was a great way to catch up with fellow bloggers and unwind. I enjoyed my treatments then relaxed with my current read (Goodnight Beautiful/ by Dorothy Koomson) from this gorgeous spot  ....

image from Pinterest via Sanctury Spa

... refreshed I returned home to take care of my poorly little lamb. He got lots of cuddles from me and dad.

So, that's me. How about you. Why are you cheerful.

From holidays in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, Venice and the like to riding the rails on Thomas The Tank Engine

Recently, hubby and I had a chuckle at how our lives have changed since having kids. Gone is the self-indulgence. Gone are the romantic breaks. Our lives have become a mad muddle with chats about Thomas The Tank Engine and other cheeky children's television characters.  Not forgetting songs about ducks and walking in the jungle. The last two bank holidays we spent riding the rails so to speak.

Angelo is a adores Thomas The Tank Engine. Over the Easter break we went to Bluebell Railway. We took ride with Little Bo Peep to  East Grinstead. Oh to see his little face! It was alight with joy from the moment we parked and he heard the CHOO CHOO. I never thought I'd find steam so fascinating as I did when the train pulled out the station and the steam sailed out of the chimney. Then again that's the thing about having kids your inner child is set free to join in the fun.

Then on the recent May Bank Holiday we went to Drusillas Park. They have an actual THOMAS ride! The ride takes you around the park. Its a short ride but for excited kids it amazing. Angelo rode on Thomas twice and even had his face painted to look like Thomas. 

It was a lovely  sunny day, we had fun in the sunshine, listening to Postman Pat sing in the background. YES, our lives have changed...

... but we would have it any other way... and the best is yet to COME.

Hair n Now

It's been three years and three months since I stopped chemically processing my hair. I have not regrets. I feel fabulously FREE in that regard. In all that time my personal experience has been:

• Only do the big chop (BC) when you are certain you are ready to let go of your old hair ways
• Less is more: good hair products and as little hair manipulation as possible goes a long way for growth
• Do trim your ends from time to time (its recommended every 6-8 wks, but I do twice per year) 
• Pre-poos are great to preventing excess loss of the hair's natural oils and improving the hairs flexibility (swish swish)
• Keeping hair and scalp moisturized improves the hair condition and there is less frizz.
• Hair may shed after pregnancy due to changes in hormones (more info here)

The last point above is true for me.  When Angelo was three months, I noticed my hair began to shed. I was not alarmed as I knew it would settle in time.  I expected the same once Valentian was born but this time around its more intense. My hair line is mess and I've got two bald spots by my temples, not very attractive. I finally to the chance to visit my hairdresser for a much needed treatment and a trim. Its not an attractive process but it works. 

Prepped and ready for steam

Rinsed and trimmed

Protective style corn-rowed front & two strand twist back

I felt much better for having it done. Sorry, but I was remiss in asking what treatment was used on hair, but it was styled with products from the Keracare Natural Textures Range. Fingers crossed by the end of the year the shedding would have stopped. I'm also taking an after pregnancy supplement to support 'healing'. For more pics of my journey click HERE and my natural hair musings visit this page.

Are you a nautralista? What was the best thing about going natural  Did your hair change during or after pregnancy? If so, how? I'd love to hear your story.

JoJo Maman Bébé: introducing their new online outlet shop

Its official the UK’s leading boutique mother and baby brand JoJo Maman Bébé, now has an online outlet store. Customers can expect to find fantastic savings and offers across maternity, childrenswear and products. Laura Tenison MBE, Managing Director and Founder of JoJo assures us that it will never become a discount brand. However, the online outlet store has come into being in response to everyone’s love of a bargain and the need to shop for out of season clothing, due to unpredictable British weather.

Adding to their already successful outlet stores in Newport and North London, the online outlet will see old season stock priced with up to 50% off.  As well as discounted fashion lines, there will be limited offers on practical products. The stock will be regularly updated with new items from previous collections. Some examples of the amazing offers that have been available are:

 leather pink heart baby booties reduced from £14 to £9

little boys' nautical stripe trousers reduced from £16 to £11

Mums-to-be evening dress reduced from £49 to £25 

There has been a consolidation of ‘ends of lines’ with the ‘last chance to buy’ styles and the ‘seasonal offers’ into an easy-to-shop website. 

JoJo was launched 20 years ago as a tiny business with the stock held in a shed belonging to Laura’s parents. While the company has grown year on year and now has 53 stores across the UK, as well as trade sales to more than 100 countries across the world, it continues to be managed with small company values and a huge emphasis on great quality, fantastic customer service and, above all, a loyalty to all involved.

Mums to be, grandparents, good friends and family pop over and check out the JoJo Maman Bébé online outlet store.  You may be amazed at the bargains you’ll find. Let your fingers do the walking. AND to stay in the loop with what’s happening with the brand you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter  and Pinterest .

Please note this is not a sponsored post. The press release was provided in order that I help spread the word which I was happy to do as I'm aware its a quality brand.

#R2BC: Ode to sunshine

Yesterday was a divine day! The sun was out in all its GLORY.  When the sun is out all seems good and right in the world.

So, on that note, I'm cheerful because:

• I've enjoyed a few days of sunshine

• Yesterday my good mate Mr.N spent his day off with Valentina and I, in order for me to have some adult conversation for a change and a bit of fresh air in good company.

• I had a lovely stroll along the South Bank with Mr. N and Valentina. It was warm enough for me to take her out of the buggy without a blanket. She was like a little meerkat, looking left and right absorbing the sights and sounds. It made me realise I need to take her out more. Clearly she wants more stimulation now.

• While on my stroll I had a musical treat from the various singer/musicians who were preforming on the South Bank. I thoroughly enjoyed the uplifting sound of Mairead Carlin. She was performing near the Derry-Londonderry booth. If you didn't know Derry-Londonderry is the UK City of Culture for 2013, visit the City of Culture website for the programme of events they have in store. I leave you with the sound of Mairead...

That's me, why are you cheerful this week?