An eco-savvy plate. Yes, really.

Behold. The latest for environmentally conscious parents.

The Beco feeding set, from Beco Things.

I’d never heard of this brand until they got in touch to introduce themselves. I have to say, I was a bit sceptical at first. I mean, I know it’s trendy to be environmentally aware and all, but aren’t eco potties and plates taking it a bit far?

Survival

Every single day so far this year - minus last week - has been about getting to grips with a new way of life.

It’s been about balancing on the edge of a cliff face, determined not to fall off. It’s been about struggling to maintain a sense of calm while a million things on my “to do” list whizz through my head.

It’s been about trying to be the best mum I can possibly be, while being the best radio presenter I can possibly be, while being the best copywriter I can possibly be, while being the best blogger I can possibly be, while being the best feature writer I can possibly be. And still remain some sort of wife to my husband.

Let there be light

I’ve made no secret in the past of my love for the innovative and stylish baby gadget brand Brother Max. In fact, I was almost wanting not to like their latest offering, in the hope of becoming a bit less predictable.

Sorry folks.

They’ve done it again. The dual purpose plug in nightlight is another item I wish I’d known about this time 19 months ago.

Far from being your ordinary nightlight, this one is so intuitive it can actually tell if it’s dark already. That’s right – you don’t even need to switch it on. Imagine those milk feeds at 3am, with no need to maneouvre a baby in one hand and find a light switch with the other….

The one about the honeymoon

Now the jet lag has started to pass and the first day back at work is over, Cuba seems like a distant dream away.

This time last week I had just left Havana with the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine and was trying hard to quell a large lump in my throat at the thought of being away from Frog for four more days.

Silent Sunday

Guest post: A living hell

My second guest post of the week is from the adorable, award winning and very funny Northern Mummy with Southern Children.

Since I started this blog just over a year ago, Jane has become a very good friend. She is genuinely one of the wittiest, no-nonsense and funny people I know. This is something I’m sure my northern husband would attribute to the fact she’s not from the south. Whatever the reason, I’m thrilled to welcome her over to my place…

***

Hang on, let me adjust a second. There, that’s better.

Sorry it is just Molly’s blog is so much quieter than mine, it caught me off guard momentarily. I am not used to being in a space that is dominated by only one baby, whereas my blog is getting slightly over crowded with my three rather ‘exuberant’ children.

Guest post: 5.30am is not morning

I know, I know, I’m in Cuba. Still on honeymoon. So I’ve handed the fort over to one of my favourite bloggers today, Adele from Circus Queen.

Adele’s was one of the first blogs I found when I started blogging just over a year ago. Back then she was writing about pregnancy – reading her words took me right back to the days 19 months ago when I was huge and fed up.

She writes with humour, thought and huge sprinklings of common sense. And she resides in my homeland of Bristol, so she’s got to be worth a read.

Without further ado, I bring to you, the Queen of the Circus herself….

***

When I was fifteen, I voluntarily (!) got up at 5am to study Chemistry and Biology. I was getting ready to write my CXC’s (the Caribbean version of GCSE’s). Looking back I would’ve managed anyway. Looking forward, I’d put my fingertips in the toaster to get those unslept hours to return.

Would you go abroad without your children?

 

Photo Credit: Trislander Sunset by Neil Howard

 

Tomorrow morning I am going to board a plane and fly 4,652 miles to Havana, Cuba. Without my daughter.

 

I’ll be with my husband. But not my 19 month old child. We’re leaving her at home with her grandparents.

You know it’s cold when…

This is the display on your brand spanking new Brother Max Bath And Room Thermometer…

Finally I have proof that our bathroom is the coldest room in the house, despite what the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine says.

At the eye of the storm

 

Photo Credit: Sky Symphony by Kevin Dooley

 

The clouds gather, droplets of rain begin to fall. A toy is thrown and the sky blackens.

 

It’s mild at first, a shout and a scream. A prelude to the main event.

 

And then the thunder crashes around us.