Listography...5 Things I'd Love This Valentine's

This week's Listography theme as thought up by Kate Takes 5 is "5 Things I'd love this Valentine's".  With February 14th rapidly approaching, our minds are turning to love, romance and passion.  So what five things would I really love to receive??

Ian and I don't really do the present-buying thing.  We buy things for each other throughout the year if appropriate...a prime example of this being when my romantic and thoughtful husband bought me The Human Centipede on Blu-Ray on the day of its release!  Unsolicited surprises are always the best kind.  Unsolicited surprises involving unwilling victims stitched together in an unimaginably grotesque way are even better.

However, Valentine's Day makes you feel duty-bound to spoil your loved one.  One year Ian wrote and recorded me a song called "Hey Wendy (It was Always You)" which is a fabulous rocky, love song, sang in the style of Axl Rose!  I think that would be hard to top...it really was the most amazing present ever :)

So aside from that, what would I really LOVE!!

1:  Ian is taking the day off on Valentine's Day so we can enjoy some together-time while the kids are at school.  (Together meaning me, Ian and Freddy!)  So I want to be whisked off for a fabulous lunch somewhere a bit special (not Gregg's for a veggie pasty!)

2:  I don't really do flowers.  Something about that smelly water *shudders*.  I also don't do houseplants, because of the dirt. (I sound like one of those clean freaks....however if you saw my house you'd know that is just not the case!!)  I'm also on a diet so chocolate is a bit of a no-go area for me. Being tee-total champagne is out of the question.  Instead I would like a Valentine's Balloon Creation from Balloon Baboon.  Calorie, alcohol, smelly water and dirt free!!

Image from Balloon Baboon

3:  I would like my husband to serenade me with the aforementioned Hey Wendy song, the acoustic version.  Ian is very talented but not much of a performer.  I want to be performed to!

4:  I would like to watch a film uninterrupted by children (now that is a BIG ask!!) 

5: I'd like matching tattoos to celebrate our love!  Ian has actually designed them, we just haven't got around to getting them inked onto us.  I'd love to get them done!

Ian is so very, very demonstrative with his love and affection.  He tells me he loves me and thanks me for being his wife everyday (not even exaggerating!) So even if he totally bypassed Valentine's Day and failed to do any of the above, I'd still feel incredibly blessed to have him!! 

Ear Doc Review

When I was approached by Bloggomy to be a guest reviewer for the new Ear Doc device, I was most happy to oblige.  As a mum I know how awful ear infections can be.  My 18 month old has just suffered from a double ear infection and it was so horrendous to see him in such pain.  As parents we dose our little ones up with Calpol but that only addresses the symptoms and not the problem itself.

The Ear Doc offers a non-invasive, safe way of relieving ear pain in both adults or children.  It works by sending gentle vibrations into the ear which opens up blocked tubes which relieves pressure, reduces swelling and allows fluids to drain away.  I was given an Ear Doc device to use for the purpose of this review.

The head of the Ear Doc is held behind the ear.  The sliding switch turns on the vibration which can be increased with use.  The gentle vibration shakes the soft tissue inside the ear releasing fluids and reducing pressure on the eardrum.  It says it can stop earaches in seconds and 94% of people tested reported the relief or elimination of ear pain.

The Ear Doc is also recommended for swimmers, divers or for air travellers.  It can be used in the treatment of ear ache caused by sinusitis or colds, glue ear, ear infection, hearing loss, Eustachian Tube dysfunction or fluid in the middle ear.  It can be used in conjunction with medication, however as with all complimentary treatments medical advice is recommended.

As none of my children had an ear infection at the time of testing (thankfully for them!!), I can not comment on the effectiveness of the Ear Doc for pain relief.  However, the device is easy to use and you can feel the vibrating sensation in your ear.  If my children get a heavy cold I will use the Ear Doc to try to prevent any build up of fluid in the ear.

The Ear Doc website has plenty of advice, medical opinions, reviews and testimonials.  If ear ache is a problem in your household, I'd recommend that you take a look.  I love the idea of a safe, effective,  non-invasive, drug-free remedy for a problem that affects so many children.

Little Life Day Sack

  My little boy Freddy is now 18 months old and is extremely keen to explore the world.  There are times when his wanderlust is a complete nightmare, as he runs away to look at whatever it is that catches his eye.  Holding hands is so restrictive for him and he gets frustrated.  It is important that he has the freedom to run around and discover everything life has to offer him now he is so mobile. But I obviously want to avoid those heart stopping moments when my precious child disappears out of sight.

We wanted (needed!) a solution that would keep him safe, and yet still allow him his freedom.  Some toddler reins are really old fashioned and would make him feel like a dog on a leash.  I wanted something that would be fun but functional.

After some research I discovered Little Life who make the amazing Day Sack.  With a variety of beautifully designed ruck sacks, they really do put the FUN in FUN-ctional!!  A safety wrist strap attaches discretely to a clip on the back of the ruck sack so the parent can keep a hold of their wayward toddler, while they enjoy feeling like a grown-up with their own funky little bag!

We chose the turtle shell design.  The day sack clips firmly around the toddler's chest and seems very comfortable.  The zip up bag is big enough for a favourite toy, a snack or even a couple of nappies and wipes (!!)  There is a little zip up compartment that contains a novelty weatherproof  hood which matches the bag design, so Freddy looked like a little turtle which was so cute and a lovely feature of the day sack. The handle at the top of the bag is strong and sturdy enough to grab if the child if the child is falling.  A thoughtful internal name tag would be very useful if the child took the bag to nursery.

Retailing at £18.99 (we got ours from Boots) the Day Sack also comes in a variety of other designs including ladybird, bumble bee or cow print.  I love them!  More importantly, so does Freddy!

*I have not been approached to write this review and have received nothing in return for it.  I paid for this product myself.  I love it and want to tell other mums about it, so their toddlers can be safe and happy too!!*

The New Graco Fusio

As Graco's new Ambassador, I was sent the brand new Fusio to try.  It's not yet available in the UK (it's available to pre-order for March delivery) so I felt very privileged!

The package arrives.

As my husband was available for pushchair building duties, I gave him the pleasure of putting the Fusio together.  He said:
 "It went together really easily.  The wheels just popped into place.  I was impressed that it could be disassembled if it needed to be."

Ian with his helper Kizzy checking out the instructions!

The Fusio looked great.  It came complete with a newborn liner and apron, a foot muff and a raincover.  So it is a complete package.  The seat unit has a reversible option so it would see you through from birth to the toddler stage, making it an economical option and great value for money.  It supports the idea of sustainable living...as it is a pram and a stroller, it suits baby's needs at all stages...so it's future proof!

Stylish design

I loved the grey and black design which is perfect for either a boy or girl and looks very stylish.  The shopping basket is a really good size, which is useful for shopping.


The real selling point of the Fusio is the fact that although it has a lot of the benefits of a full travel system, it also has the convenience of a stroller.  It folds telescopically, is lightweight and easy to carry, compact and easy to store away in the boot of your car.  This makes it perfect for travelling or for shopping trips.  The Fusio has swivel wheels so you can easily negotiate the aisles of a shop or supermarket.  

Trafford Centre

Comfy to ride, easy to push

We took the Fusio to the Trafford Centre in Manchester.  It took up very little boot space...more room for shopping bags!!  It was easy to put up (after a little practice) and Fred was comfy and secure.  The handles are a good height and the Fusio steered easily around the shopping centre.  There is ample room for bags underneath and we could hang extras on the handles (it didn't tip up!)  Freddy fell asleep and the reclining seat was easily adjusted so he could have a peaceful nap.  The Fusio is much more luxurious and comfortable than other strollers I have used, so you are getting the best of both worlds.

Reclining zzzzz

We included a trip to the Legoland Discovery Centre in our day out.  It was very crowded, but the Fusio negotiated the masses well.  As it is so compact it fitted easily through the attractions of Miniland and through doorways. It folded down and parked up neatly in the buggy park when we went on the rides and into the 4D cinema.  It was certainly beneficial to be using the Fusio in such a limited space.


The Fusio folds down easily (again I had to practice but that is more a reflection on me than it!!)  It can be carried one handedly when folded down, which is a plus when juggling with a toddler and shopping bags.  It also stands up when folded which is also useful when loading everything back into the car.


Overall, we enjoyed the benefits of the Fusio in an environment where its compact size, light weight, manoeuvrability, storage space and comfort for baby were a consideration.  It's perfect for a day out shopping and Freddy was definitely happy, comfortable and secure on our big, busy trip to Manchester!

Watching the world go by.

Stopping for a bite to eat.

End of a busy day.

Silent Sunday

The excitement of Legoland Discovery Centre was exhausting!

My Love Story

My long suffering other half really is a wonderful man. I count my blessings everyday  that I got to marry my best friend. Especially when I look back at our history.  I guess some things are just meant to be, and us being together is one of those things.  But the path to here and now did not run smoothly.  

This is our Love Story....

I have known Ian since we started secondary school in 1981.  I don't remember the moment we met, but we had friends in common and our social circles merged.  Soon, he was the one I fancied.  He was tall, slim, cute, with blue eyes. Looking back at photos he had really bad hair (his mum still cut it) and pretty poor dress sense (again I blame his mother in hindsight!)  It took him three years to slip me a piece of paper during English class that said "Will you go out with me?"  He had a way with words, the smooth talker!

We were both pretty shy and our relationship didn't get much further than hand holding and going for rides on his tandem bike while drinking from 2 litre bottles of cheap cider from the off licence...but the seeds were sown.  Ian left school at 16 whereas I continued on to the sixth form.  I ended things with him and broke his heart. 

We never lost touch. I would do my own thing but my thoughts would always return to Ian.  He was always the person I turned to when things weren't going well.  Without fail he was there for me. If I got into trouble he was there to rescue me. When I found myself pregnant and single at 19 it was Ian that I phoned up from a phone box near where I lived.  He came round.  He continued coming round every day to sit with me and chat and give me support.  After I gave birth he came and visited me.  He was my support when my baby had his heel prick at six days old.  He was my rock.  Then I had the opportunity to go and live with my sister.  I went and I let Ian drift out of my life again.  


If we'd had the internet, Facebook, mobile phones or Twitter during this time, we wouldn't have kept losing touch.  But contact required a lot of physical effort and I always let it slide.

In 1989, I ended up in a really toxic relationship with a man that I worked with. He was a salesman with his own flat and the gift of the gab. My sister's house was on the market as her family was relocating because of her husband's job. I was a soon-to-be-homeless single parent. I was vulnerable.  He promised us the world.  I was able to move out of my sister's house and in with him, but that is when it all started going wrong.  We should never have been together in the first place. I did try to make it work, but it soon became clear that it was never going to happen. He started drinking. Things spiralled downwards rapidly from there. Somehow I got pregnant...whether it was a subconscious decision to try to make things work, or whether I needed something to give me purpose, I don't know.  Our relationship worsened and I felt that my son and my unborn child were at risk.  I became stronger, more determined and I found the courage to leave.


Again, I phoned Ian.  He was by my side again.  He took me out.  He took care of me.  He held me and comforted me and made everything all right.  I gave birth to my daughter.  He brought me flowers.  We carried on seeing each other off and on.  He was a great friend.  The very best. 

The more I saw of him, the more I realised that we were destined to be together.  He had been in love with me for ever, but has subsequently told me that he thought I was totally out of his league and he wasn't good enough for me, so he was content with the friendship and he was happy just making sure I was happy.  We had started seeing more of each other in the evenings and we had moments when he'd hold my hand under the table in the pub, or let his friendly goodnight kiss linger a little.


It was a real dilemma.  He was my best friend.  If we took our relationship to the next level, we could never go back to being friends if it went wrong.  That would be a huge loss.  


I took the chance.  


In 1993 we became a couple.  I have to admit it was a little weird at times ("But you're Ian!!!" is a real passion killer!)  

Being together soon became the most natural thing in the world. We got married in 1997. Ian is my soul mate, my best friend, my first love and my last love.  He is the best daddy to all five of our children and they all adore him.  I count my blessings everyday that he was so patient.  He never judged me and he waited for as long as he had to.  The road that lead us to here and now has shaped us and made us appreciate each other and what we have.  We make each other better people.  Being together was our fate!

Reasons to be Cheerful...week 5

1:  Having Freddy back to his normal cheeky self meant we could go visit his big brother at the weekend.  I love to see them together and they love each other so much it is beautiful.  It makes me so proud.  I cherish the moments when my children are together.
2:  Ian was called out to work the other night which meant he got an impromptu morning off work yesterday.  He took me out to lunch which was simply lovely and we went for a stroll at the local garden centre.  I simply adore these moments when I do something unexpectedly lovely with my husband to break up my normal routine. 
3:  I got to meet my next door neighbours' brand new baby girl.  She is totally gorgeous and so content.  I gave her a cuddle and she fell asleep in my arms.  We aren't planning on having any more babies ourselves so getting a cuddle with a beautiful, precious little newborn is wonderful!
Pop across to Michelle's blog to read more reasons to be cheerful and to link up your own :)

Happy Birthday Ella's Kitchen

Happy 5th Birthday Ella's Kitchen x

Ella's Kitchen is without doubt one of my favourite brands.  I love their ethos.  I love their story.  I love their products.  I love their packaging and I love having a sneaky slurp on their Smoothie Fruit pouches!

I am delighted to have been involved in doing reviews for Ella's Kitchen.  My tiny testers loved helping me too!  Here are links to my reviews:

Part 1

Part 2

Here's Freddy enjoying the Ella's Kitchen cooking sauce, The Indian One.  He loves the products and I know he is getting natural, healthy good food.

Today it's Ella's Kitchen's birthday and they shared the love!  With helium balloons and amazing Biscuiteer biscuits, I have enjoyed celebrating with the wonderful Ella's Kitchen!

Gorgeous Biccies x

Kizzy says "Happy Birthday"!

So here's to many more years making innovative, exciting Baby and Toddler foods and adding more awards to their ever growing collection!  If you haven't tried Ella's Kitchen already...you are missing out!

CLOSED: Jamie at Home DVDs for FREE!

Jamie Oliver is without doubt one of the most recognisable celebrity chefs in the UK today.  With his cheeky, no nonsense manner, his passion for good food and his quirky catchphrases, he has become a firm favourite in many households!

The Sun Newspaper and The Sun Buzz Magazine have an exciting offer coming up for fans of Jamie and keen cooks alike.  They are running a promotion between the 5th and the 11th of February, whereby everyday you can collect a token that is instantly redeemable in Tesco, which gives you a free cardboard sleeved DVD of two complete episodes of Jamie at Home.  Token one is in Buzz magazine, the rest will be in the newspaper.  There are six DVDs in all which gives you the entire twelve episodes of the Jamie at Home Series to enjoy.

I've been given a full set of the DVDs to review and a second set to giveaway on my blog (further details below!)

Jamie at Home is a beautifully filmed and inspirational series.  It shows Jamie in his garden throughout the year, enthusing about his home grown produce. The wonderful array of fruit and vegetables, from Summer salads to Winter vegetables, are transformed into delicious, seasonal, no-nonsense recipes.  There are hints and tips on the practicalities of gardening and he makes it look so appealing.  He cooks indoors and out and produces some wonderful food... stews, soups, pot roasts, pizzas, preserves, pies and salads.  My favourite recipe was a unique take on coleslaw using winter vegetables in a yogurt and mustard dressing.  There is something for everyone in this entertaining series.

The DVDs are approximately 50 minutes long and cover the following subjects:

Furred Game and Pastry
Leeks and Winter Veg
Eggs and Lamb
Asparagus and Peas and Beans
Strawberries and Summer Brassica
Summer Salad and Rhubarb

I am a vegetarian, but even I found plenty of ideas and inspiration, and many of the recipes can be adapted.  He makes an amazing bubble and squeak with sausages and caramelised onions...easy to make a veggie version!  And his apple pie...well, simply delicious!

I have been given a complete set of the Jamie at Home DVDs to give away to one of my readers.  To win simply leave me a comment below saying you'd like to be entered.  (Facebook followers can leave me a comment on my Facebook page if they want to be entered).
Tweet for a second entry (please tell me you've done it in a comment!)  "I've entered to win Jamie at Home DVDs from @wendymcd83 at http://tinyurl.com/66slgtu"
Make sure you leave me a way of contacting you. UK only please.  Giveaway will be drawn on the 9th February.  Good luck!

Check out @TheSun_Buzz on Twitter for celebrity gossip, TV news and fun!

Thinking Slimmer...a Battle with my Body!

My weight has always fluctuated.  Ever since having my daughter in 1991 when I developed pre-eclampsia and put on five stone.  Before then I was always very slim, and in my mind I am still that person.  Sometimes I look in the mirror or catch a glimpse of myself in the reflection of a shop window and I feel quite horrified that my physical appearance doesn't match my mental image of myself.

I am tall (5ft 11") so I carry my weight all over, rather than storing fat on my bum or belly in isolation.  Sometimes this makes it harder to diet, because any weight-loss is more subtle so less gratifying. I waiver between a UK size 12 and a 16...my wardrobe is full of clothes, only a fraction of which fit me at any one time.

Me in the kitchen!

At the moment, I'd like to lose a stone in weight.  I can do it, when I put my mind to it I find the challenge of self-denial quite enjoyable.  But by its very essence, self-denial does not work.  The second I let something calorific pass my lips, the spell is broken and I'm back on the biscuits.  I'm an all or nothing dieter!  The idea of permissible sins just would not work on me.

I also suffer from having no sensation of being full.  I can eat and eat.  Whereas my husband leaves stuff on his plate or refuses seconds, I can plough my way through any amount of food.  I won't feel stuffed, sick or have any need to stop.  This makes food control really hard unless I am 100% committed.

This is not a satisfactory or healthy way to conduct myself.  I need a total change of lifestyle forever, not a quick fix diet.

When Thinking Slimmer offered me the chance to review their Slimpod hypnosis program, I accepted hoping it could be the key to unlocking my problem.  It promises to re-tune your mind to shift the focus of your unconscious, to make you feel fuller and more satisfied quicker.

I started the trial back in November and had some success really quickly.  I felt full for the first time ever, and felt ecstatic to leave food on my plate. It was really working! Unfortunately, for me it went wrong.  After losing 7lbs, 14 days into the trial, something changed.  I'd feel full and just eat through it.  I ended up binging and although still listening to the Slimpods, I felt distracted.  I sabotaged my own success by ignoring what my body was telling me.  Christmas's temptations and a heavy cold sabotaged my efforts.  Over the festive period I put on the weight I'd lost.  The Slimpod was shelved.

Then in January I received an email from Thinking Slimmer asking how my trial had gone.  I told them what had happened, but rather than making me feel like a failure, I received huge support and encouragement.  The Slimpod was obviously working for me until something inside me stopped it from doing its job.  I was also a bit lazy with my success log, I thought that losing weight was enough, so I wasn't giving it full committment.  I just had to get back on it and not be too hard on myself!

 I was even given a phonecall from Sandra Royston-Davis, a top Harley Street hypnotist and founder of the Slimpod. She is very knowledgeable and explained a bit about how the Slimpod works in conjunction with the brain to achieve results. She talked me through what I was doing and decided that my best course of action was to start again completely from scratch and to fill out a weight loss 'contract' with myself setting three achievable goals.  I've chosen:

1: Lose a stone before my birthday in April.
2: Enjoy walking with the family at weekends...I've already got a book of family friendly walks in Cheshire and a pair of walking boots.
3: Buy myself a new pair of new jeans that actually fit well and get a haircut after losing a stone...both things I have avoided doing for way too long!

I was also advised to commit to filling out my 21 day Success Log, to record changes I notice.  The changes don't just happen to your weight, but also to your self-esteem and confidence.  I was encouraged to listen to the Slimpod everyday for 21 days and then how ever often I needed to after that until I reach my target weight.  Then I can switch to a maintenance Slimpod.

Sandra reminded me about the website which is rich in advice, support, recipes, tips and testimonials.  It is quite inspirational and makes you feel like you are not alone in your attempt to lose weight.  Membership to their VIP area is included in the cost of the Slimpod.  It is a total package for one inclusive price.

The fact that my glitch was acknowledged has given me even more confidence in the product.  This is a program for life, it is permanent and not just a faddy, quick fix scheme!

Last night I listened to my Slimpod.  Today I feel really positive.  I've had no urge to snack today and didn't even look at the cakes when I was in Tesco.  I also didn't finish Freddy's lunch leftovers which I usually do without even thinking.  I will keep blogging about my weight-loss journey...let's hope I succeed!  With the support that is available to every Thinking Slimmer customer, I know I am not alone!

Check them out on Facebook, Twitter or on their website for friendly advice and information!

The Gallery...Shapes

This week's prompt for the Gallery is Shapes.

I 'm entering this photo of Freddy framed by the struts of a wooden bench.

I love his softness contrasted by its straight lines.

Check out the other posts at Tara Cain's The Gallery.

                                                

Tippitoes Seaborne Baby Sponge Review

Baby's skin is so precious.  When I see my baby boy ready for his bath he looks so perfect and I don't want to use anything harsh on his delicate skin.  I make sure that I use gentle, organic bath products to keep his skin clean and healthy, but I've never really considered what sponge I use.  Surely, if I go to the trouble of using pure, natural products, I shouldn't be using a synthetic sponge to wash him with?

So when I had the opportunity of trying the Tippitoes Seaborne Baby Sponge for review, I was intrigued to see whether it would be any different to use.  It is suitable for use from birth and offers luxury straight from the sea bed!

The sponge arrived in its own container, which was a lovely detail, providing a place to store it and keep it clean between uses (once it has dried).

The sponge itself was a perfect size for baby.  It is 100% natural, extracted directly from the seabed in specially controlled extraction areas which does not harm the environment.  I must admit I did keep having the urge to sing the theme tune to Spongebob Squarepants ...but that is not a bad thing!!

Absorbent and yellow and porous!!

Natural sea sponges are the perfect choice for bathing for these reasons:  

• highly absorbent

• soft texture

• durable

• long lasting

• they hold water

• self-cleaning

• do not retain odours

• won't peel

Tippitoes say:

"This luxurious and soft new sponge is perfect for bathing Baby; its porous texture makes it ideal for gentle cleansing, daily facial care, cleaning and exfoliating Baby's skin."


This is my experience of using the Seaborne Baby Sponge:


When dry, the sponge is quite hard, but when put in water it takes on the expected sponge-like texture and was really soft and squishy.  It was very absorbent and soaked up the bubbly bath solution perfectly, making a little product go a long way.


It felt gentle and soft on the skin and Freddy enjoyed being washed down with the foamy sponge.  It had none of the 'slimy' feeling that the synthetic sponges have.


It perfectly complemented the bath time products we use on Freddy, and I felt confident knowing that it was completely natural. 


It needs to be rinsed out after use and left to dry naturally, whereby it reverts back to its dried state.  If well looked after it is a long lasting, quality, baby bath product!  

A cheeky bathtime wink!

Tippitoes offers affordable quality and for £7.49 this 100%  natural bath time sponge really delivers!