New York
T, her daddy and I are heading to New York this week.
This is the first of two trips we’re making to the States in quick succession so I figure this trip is the one where I’ll pack all the wrong stuff. By trip number two in November, fingers crossed, I’ll have it nailed.
It’s so hard to know what to take… do we lug the car seat for taxi rides or do we just opt for public transport and sling it all the way? Should we bring a lightweight pushchair or just buy one if we need it when we get there? It’s tricky to know what’s best.
I’m also resigned to the fact T will have to do without home cooked meals and survive on baby jars for the duration.
The last time I was in New York I flew in from LA for a fun weekend with the girls. Prior to that it was business trips so it will be interesting to see how those times compare to visiting as a family.
My husband’s a bit anxious about how T will fare on the flight. I’m not worried about that at all. I’m more concerned about how we’ll fare with her waking up every morning at 2am East Coast Time as she won’t understand the time difference. I guess we’ll just have to have lots of early nights!
Aside from the sleep issue I’m really looking forward to getting away for a few days and catching up with family and friends who will be meeting T for the very first time. It’s our first trip back to America since we moved back to London last year and I can’t wait!
Photo credit: ShedBoy
Not So Yummy Mummy Loves…
Photobox
For T’s first birthday party I collated a slideshow of photos to show her first year. As I put it together I realised I’d taken over a thousand photos of our daughter…
(I did edit the slideshow down to 150 or so photos, a thousand was too much for anyone to sit through politely.)
It goes without saying, I love taking photos so I was delighted when Photobox got in touch and offered the chance for me to sample their canvas print service.
The Photobox website is easy to use and within minutes I’d uploaded my favourite photo of T and ordered a 40cm x 30cm print.
The canvas arrived 3 days later and is just gorgeous. It makes us smile every time we look at it.
Canvas prints start from £22.99
T at 12 months
At the age of one, T is now the proud owner of two bottom teeth. (It turns out T’s teeth are like London buses… you wait for AGES for one to show up and then, of course, two turn up at once.)
T has three new favourite things – Spencer, sheep and her xylophone…
Our little girl has fallen in love with Spencer, her teddy bear. Spencer is the lucky recipient of lots and lots of kisses.
T loves to play her xylophone; I was amazed that she knew how to play it straight away. It makes me smile to watch her concentrate while carefully striking the keys.
T’s is totally fascinated by the If I Were a Sheep book she received for her birthday. She loves “reading” it to her Daddy if he’s home, or to herself.
Her favourite word is still “Dada” but she calls for “Mama” when she’s really hungry.
At nursery this week T started painting for the very first time. She’s also becoming more and more inquisitive and loves walking around while holding Mummy’s hands.
T is starting to look less like a baby and more like a little girl now, I barely recognise the baby in our photos…
Not So Yummy Mummy Loves…
Everyman Baby Club
I’m a big fan of my local Everyman Cinema’s Baby Club.
Since we became parents my husband and I haven’t been to the cinema together as it requires a babysitter.
Instead, T has become my movie partner. Everyman’s Baby Club screenings are exclusively for parents and carers accompanied by their little ones.
So far T and I have enjoyed Precious and Inception without having to worry about disturbing others. Our local cinema has plenty of soft squishy sofas with cushions, complete with side tables and lots of legroom. It feels so luxurious, plus there’s plenty of room for T’s pushchair and for her to play, if she chooses.
Even better, the ticket price includes a delicious cake and hot drink. You don’t even have to leave your comfy seat to order or collect your treat, the Everyman staff come to you to place your order and bring it to you.
It’s a lovely way to spend the afternoon.
Tickets cost £10 and include a hot drink and cake. Babies up to 12 months old are free of charge.
T’s first birthday!
Our beautiful girl is one, I still can’t believe it.
We had a brilliant time celebrating T’s birthday, it was a lovely, lovely day.
It’s hard to put into words just how proud I am of our little girl.
So, to mark T’s first birthday I wanted to share a few of my favourite memories…
…..Tummy rolls…
………Daddy’s girl…
………..Endless giggles…
…………T’s first graduation….
Photo credit: Leo Reynolds
T’s first graduation
T received her first “graduation” certificate today from Baby Bounce. I kid you not.
For those of you who aren’t parents, Baby Bounce is an Under 1s stay and play session organised by local children’s centres to entertain little ones accompanied by their parents or carers.
Our local one is just brilliant. T and I have been regular attendees since she was 6 weeks old.
As the sessions are exclusively for under 1s, as soon as you turn 1 you have to move on. However, as opposed to just saying “see ya!” the staff mark the occasion with the presentation of a graduation certificate, a birthday card from “the faculty” and a special farewell sing song for the graduate.
It’s funny how the smallest of gestures can often have the most meaning. I’ve witnessed Daddies dash from work to be at the graduation (which takes place at the end of the regular Baby Bounce session) and proud Mummies in tears and taking photos.
For the past few year I’d marvelled at the graduating little ones because they could almost walk and talk and just seemed so big and bouncy. I couldn’t imagine T being that size.
Today it was my turn to be the proud Mummy as T enjoyed her moment in the spotlight. She loved the sing songs in her honour and tried to eat her certificate while Mummy took photos.
It sounds silly, but it was really nice.
Photo credit: Jannie-Jan
Tooth!
T’s first tooth has finally appeared! It’s at the bottom, just left of centre.
I don’t think T realises. She was a bit irritable the night before last and we knew it was starting to come through. Now she seems back to normal.
Just in time for her birthday!
Photo credit: Larissa Holland
Back to boot camp
Actions speak louder than words.
I’m a strong believer of the old adage but for the past few months I’ve been complaining about how unfit I am, but not doing anything about it.
Prior to my pregnancy, back in LA, I worked out 3-4 times a week. I started working out with a trainer at the gym two evenings a week coupled with two spin classes a week. When work started to get in the way of that schedule I switched my work outs to the mornings. I enrolled with a local boot camp and signed up for the 3 sessions a week programme (I was the softie, as the majority of the ladies in the sessions were there FIVE TIMES A WEEK).
I never thought I’d handle the 5.30am classes but I did and I found I loved it.
These days I bear no resemblance to the person I used to be. It easy to blame T and not having enough time for not exercising like I used to, but the truth of it is I was too scared to try again.
Last week I decided enough was enough and it was time for action.
I started googling local boot camps and found a boot camp with 3 weekly sessions at 6.20am just a few minutes walk from our home.
So, yesterday I set the alarm clock for 5.45am and gave it a shot.
I’m so glad I did. I couldn’t keep up with the others but I still worked harder than I’ve done in over a year.
I’ve been struggling to walk today but I’m determined to stick out…at least until the weather gets really bad…
Photo credit: Urban Mixer
Party planning and absent friends
I feel fortunate to have some dear friends in Los Angeles who follow this blog. One dear friend in particular has been following Not So Yummy Mummy closely.
This friend is very smart and by now will be thinking, “am I talking about her?” She’s now getting a little bit embarrassed. So, I’ll keep going and keep it anonymous as she’ll be thinking, “what’s she going to say next….??”.
What this friend probably doesn’t know already is what I love most about her.
It doesn’t matter we are 5,000 miles apart. This is because she is so kind, considerate and thoughtful. Even though she’s incredibly busy she still takes time to regularly check in on my Mummy mayhem.
This post was prompted by an email I just received from my friend, as I’m working on my laptop in the small hours of Saturday morning. The email made me smile. Even though she’s far, far away, my friend is excited about T’s birthday party and asked what the theme is.
It’s a good question and one I hadn’t thought of. I mulled it over for a split second and then replied:
“The theme for the party is Mummy’s left EVERYTHING to the last minute…”
I cannot wait to celebrate T’s birthday next weekend but the truth of the matter is it’s totally snuck up on me. I thought I’d be organised about proceedings, so, a couple of weeks ago I had a quick brainstorm and made a to-do list. Thankfully I had the foresight to organise the invites and the birthday cake at the same time as writing the list as I had figured there was plenty time to take care of the rest…
Now, I’m slightly panicked. Where has the time gone?
I just took another peek and my to do list is now looking slightly overwhelming, especially as I have work deadlines for the exact same time…
It looks like it’s going to be a busy weekend…
My dear friend in LA, who asked about the theme, is a party planner EXTRAORDINARE. I miss her. You know who you are and I wish you were here!
Photo credit: Ebby
Not So Yummy Mummy Loves…
Personalised bunting
I discovered Madsie Grace on eBay by chance and was so thrilled with my purchase I just had to spread the word here.
In the midst of 1st birthday party planning, I desperately wanted to order bunting to spell out T’s name as part of the party decorations. As luck would have it, I placed an order with Madsie Grace and received T’s beautiful, handmade keepsake in record time.
Madsie Grace is the brainchild of a mother of three who creates beautiful, decorative items for your home from luxury fabrics. The Madsie Grace range includes bunting, cushion covers, canvasses and roman blinds.
T’s bunting arrived within 3 days of my order and Not So Yummy Mummy ADORES it.
Letters are priced at £2.25 each with a choice of fabric, excluding postage and packaging.
Available exclusively from the Madsie Grace eBay store – http://stores.ebay.co.uk/madsiegrace
