the start of something fun

So today I've bitten the bullet and begun. I've been toying with the idea of blogging for a while, but until now, couldn't really decide how to get this off the ground - well today's our day! Claire's asleep (finally) and so I'm taking this chance to get started. This is the start of something I'm hoping will be a lot of fun!!

In explanation of the name: the things we try, let me just say I will NEVER be short of things to write about! Before I became a mummy, I was blissfully unaware of the HUGE amount of pregnancy, baby and parenting stuff on the market. When the time came to actually start making decisions about what we needed for our little lady, let me tell you, there was a lot of google-ing being done. Claire is now 8 months old (nearly 9 - where oh where does the time go?) and there is no sign of lessening up on the collecting of baby things, and the figuring out of what is good and what is not, what works and what doesn't, what is a hit with bub (and/or mum and dad) and what is a fizz. The pages of this blog are going to let you in on the things we try, in hope that our experiences might help you too. I will take (hopefully awesome) photo's of what we buy/are given/borrow/already have, and spill the beans on what we think of it. I will promise you now that my opinions are just that - my opinions. I am not being paid or sponsored to say great things, and just because I say something didn't suit my family, doesn't mean it won't suit yours.

That being said, I would like to introduce you to one of my latest favourite purchases: the Skip Hop Springtime Birdie Sleeping Bag (http://www.bambinipronto.com.au/skiphop-springtime-birdie-1-0tog-0-6m)

Wow, why didn't I get one sooner?! Up until about 2 months ago, Claire used to insist on needing to be swaddled TIGHTLY in order for her to get to sleep. Come summer, it was just way to hot though, and she finally weaned herself out of it, and would just sleep in a singlet and nappy. She seemed fine with it, but some mornings I would get her out of bed and her little legs and arms would be so cold, because she simply couldn't or wouldn't leave a sheet over herself, even if it was tucked in. So I started looking for a sleeping bag that was light-weight enough for an Australian summer. I found one pretty quickly, and was sold by the fact that they had a buy one get one free (!) PLUS a free pram toy deal - umm, YES! I ordered the 6-18 month size, and got one of the lightest weights for summer (see pic), and one a bit heavier for winter. It has been fabulous! It's a beautiful soft cotton, has a two-way zip for middle-of-the-night emergency only nappy changing, under the arm air vents, velcro opening at the back so it can be used in the car seat (which we did on the weekend when we went away and had to leave at 3.30am!). Best of all, she wakes up without cold limbs - yay! I have found that if I put a long sleeved singlet on her then her arms stay comfy too, without her getting overly toasty. I know that this has definitely been a wise purchase, and would recommend to others for sure.

So with my first official blog post now written, I'm off to make a cuppa - and the baby's still asleep!

Love ,

H.