Arlo is One

So this might end up being a bit of a ramble as I haven't written a blog post in FOREVER and frankly if you read my blog posts they always tend to turn into a ramble.. but that's just me hahahha

I truly cant believe that in just 8 days Arlo will be a whole year old! Its been the most amazing year and I cant believe just how much I love him..its been a year of manly ups but I have to say sometimes I do feel like I haven't been the best possible mum I can be..

So I'm going to start by talking about the shit stuff.. the stuff I've struggled with this first year and something I wish id done differently ! Now I know us mums tend to put ourselves down but as much of an angel Arlo's been I've defiantly struggled my first year of being a mum within myself, my biggest thing being I don't feel as if Ive taken him to do enough and now I'm back at work this is probably something I'm not going to get to change as much as id like to.. but that's my one goal as a mother and something I truly want to work on is getting the courage and motivation to take him places more often!

Now id say there's only really one thing id do differently that Ive discovered recently ( I've got a post up about things I wish id done differently) and that's in that inbetween age, older than newborn but younger than he is now, I wish id cuddled Arlo more (not that I didn't cuddle him obviously) but I wish I had pushed more affection on him lol purely because Arlo does NOT I repeat NOT do cuddles! you may get the odd brief cuddle but only when Arlo decides hahaha its a battle to say the least! I'm hoping when he starts to understand more maybe it will come with time! but it is defiantly hard seeing how cuddly other babies are.
Right now some of that slightly depressing stuff is out the way! ( I like to keep it real on this blog because its the whole reason I made it, to be real and talk about how I feel and my experiences)

The most amazing things this year have been.. well there's been a lot and its honestly the smallest of things haha, Arlo CLAPS NOW who knew clapping would make me so happy lol, don't get me wrong he doesn't clap for any apparent reason but I spent a month clapping at him all the time hoping he would pick it up! ( I'm currently waving at him all the time saying 'hi' and 'bye' but no luck as of yet haha. Arlo is pretty crazy sometimes and he makes the funniest noises! he growls or takes a big in breath before he's about to crawl somewhere and bolts off excitedly! its so funny to watch!
I wanted to add this year has been pretty amazing since Arlo's been here for another reason to.. My grandparents adore and love Arlo and it truly makes me so happy to watch because he makes them so happy and you can really feel love when he's with them and seeing your child with the people you love the most is pretty damn amazing..

So if your baby is the same age as Arlo or roughly the same probably like most of us mums you want to know if your baby is on track!
Every baby is different and Ive got to say Arlo can be a litte slow lol but these are the things Arlo's doing at ONE!

-Clapping
-Babbling ( ALOT) we get a lot of dadadada and mommom mom
-Sleep 12-14 every night!
-Crawl everywhere
-Pulls himself up and stands everywhere! Including his mum the human stand aid!
-He has 4 teeth ( 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom)
-Nothing he loves more than to open and shut draws!
-Eats everything and anything ( including old food that he finds that you don't even know about)
-'Boo' is guaranteed to make him smile
-Phone stealer

I would say the biggest thing I've learnt in this first year as Arlo's mum is that patience is key and just to be as calm as possible and just go with it!

Now I'm going to make abit of a bold statement here and no one hate me! But I want to add this in at the end for all your brand new mums and mums to be, now this is going to be different for every mum out there but for me personally I wanted to say I was told throughout my pregnancy this was going to be the hardest thing in the world and honestly.. this first year has been a breeze! not nearly as bad as people try to make you believe! Don't get me wrong there are stressful moments but its more for me and I'm sure you guys can relate the sense of responsibility of being mum rather than caring for them and being a mum? no clue if that made sense lol but hopefully you all get what I mean.
Ive loved every minute of being a mum, I was ready for Arlo and wanted Arlo very much and I don't think ill ever regret my decision to have him, being a mum this first year ( I know Ive said it five times) but its been incredibleeeee and all us mums are smashing it and I hope all your motherhood journey's are amazing.

Thank you for reading

Love Hazel and Baby Arlo xxx

Clothing Haul!

So I was going to call this a 12-18 Month clothing haul but technically you can get these clothes in any size and frankly saying Arlo can fit in 12-18 month clothes FREAKS ME OUT haha

Found some gems doing this haul! But honestly apart from one or two other bits that I didn't end up getting I did struggle this time round finding bits that I liked ( or bits that I didn't already own lol) But I hope you all see something you like!



1. https://www.mothercare.com/dungaree-sets/dino-dungarees-and-bodysuit-set/LSA345.html#q=dinosaur+dungarees&start=1

So most of these 12-18 month clothes fit him great but mothercare sizes are on the bigger size but apart from that I just love these dunagrees.
*note to self size down in mothercare

2. https://direct.asda.com/george/baby/outfits/grey-stripe-bear-top-and-joggers-outfit/GEM700426,default,pd.html?cgid=D5M9G1C5

If I saw this outfit online I don't know weather I'd buy it but in person its really lovely and like all clothes its sooooo soft, by far the sofest and nicest feeling quality out of everything!

3. https://www.next.co.uk/g72494s3#989473

I thought these would be amazing just to chuck on in summer when its super hot but they will also still look super cute! NEXT have a huge range of these short sleeve grows so even If not these ones defiantly check out the other ones.

4. https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0788048002.html

Absolutely love these dungarees and there an absolute barggggg


5. https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0697907001.html

Super cute little pair of  shorts for the summer and I brought simple t-shirts to go with these

6.https://www.next.co.uk/G72488s6#503445

I LOVE this little set from next its honestly so cute and a super good price for NEXT

( This picture just ruins the whole vibe and I'm defiantly going to re take it in the morning so its matches the other's and hopefully you'll be able to see the quality better!


So I didn't get as much as I usually get so this was actually quite a small haul ( had to reign myself in)
but ive linked bellow  a couple of other bits that I might be getting Arlo soon as there super cute, a couple of bits are actually out of stock which is why I didn't buy them but when they come back in.. ££££

- https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Cream-Giraffe-Rompers-2-Pack-%280-24-Months%29/135021301-Cream?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

- https://www.next.co.uk/G90228s9#628780

- https://www.next.co.uk/style/st377167#905226


Really hoped you enjoyed this haul and my previous ones and defiantly let me know if this is something you want to keep seeing

Hazel and Baby Arlo xxx

Pregnancy...

So this has taken me FOREVER to write because I just felt like there was so much to say and I was struggling with how to get things across and I knew it would be a long one but I didn't want this to be worlds longest blog post ever lol

In the end I figured I'm best off starting well at the start haha and just talking about different things as my pregnancy progressed.
So I didn't have an easy pregnancy to say the least.. I suffered with a severe case of Hyperememis Gravidarum ( severeeeeee sickness in pregnancy).. and well its a whole other blog post in its self.. Its something that's really personal to me and I know a few woman who can talk about it quite openly but for me its just never been that easy, Before I had Arlo I had a previous pregnancy which unfortunately ended due to hypermemis and I think that's also made it such a sensitive subject for me but one day I know ill find the courage to really go into it. But for an overview I was in and out of the hospital for the first four months as I was vomiting 40-50 times a day and then was pretty much bed ridden for that time as well and it was a really dark time for me and with a lot of the medications abit of a blurry time to be honest. Having suffered with it before I would actually say I think although I had a horrific case with Arlo it was slighter 'better'  than with my previous pregnancy and I stopped going in for fluids, vitamins and iron infusions at 4 ish months and things defiantly picked up and I was feeling a lot more positive!

So now were at the second trimester and the medications were finally working and I started picking up a few bits for him because we actually went for a private gender scan at 16 weeks so knew we were having a boy! I tell ya that was hard work because I wasn't keeping hardly any fluids down the sonographer struggled to see 'him' for a long time and I spent an hour trying to drink jump up and down everything and he literally moved into a good position for 5 whole minutes so she could see what he had down there!

I was still sick being sick once or twice a day which was just the best thing to me at this point but I actually started getting the odd craving which was.. the crave was real! I just wanted macaroni cheese the ready made stuff from Morrison's! I didn't eat a full meal until I was 7 months pregnant and when the macaroni cheese craving came I was about 5-6 months and at that point I had lost 8kg maybe a little more so my midwife was just like eat as much as you can and let me tell you I bloody did hahaha I must have had 1 at least every single night for maybe a month! it was excessive but I was eating so Arlo's dad used to just come home with it from work every night.
Im sat here trying to think if there's anything else significant about the second trimester for me but apart from abit of quite bad heartburn I cant think that there's anything else? the 3rd trimester is where shit gets really. ( oh yeah bump wise I wasn't showing much at all at this point because I obviously had lost a lot of weight etc)

Skipping forward abit I had my baby shower at 28 weeks so a little earlier than most people have there's but I needed a little boost and something to look forward to when I was so ill so it was the perfect time for me and it was amazing! Im going to add some pictures and also where bits are from and for if your local where my cake was made because it was stunning!

The lovely woman who made my cake runs ' The flutterby Cake&Co' and that's what her facebook name is aswell (duh hazel come on woman stating the obvious)

So the third trimester.. eurgh this was long this was hard..but it was so beautiful and I got the biggest most amazing bump.
Like I mentioned earlier I had a really small bump for a lot of my pregnancy but I hit 30 odd weeks and I just POPPED I don't even think popped is a good enough word haha I think where I was skinny as well I looked even crazier carrying this huge bump about lol, stretch marks wise I was really lucky and only got small ones on my boobs and then where my belly piercing was and none on my belly! The only advice I can give is to try to avoid scratching them but they can be inevitable no matter what they are the mark of carrying your precious baby!
So I got a MAJOR craving in the 3rd trimester and I still love them now even though before I got pregnant I hated it. CHEESE AND TOMATO SANDWICHES not sandwiches in general just a cheese and tomato! if your ever craving a cheese and tomato sandwich Ive tried them ALL and asda is by far the winner but you got to pray for a miracle they have it bloody asda, CO-OP do a good one but bit to much mayo hahaha , morrisons don't do one and neither doTesco and honestly pregnant me used to get soooooo fuming about it haha
I also craved orange juice cold out of a carton but only for Morrison's but it gave me THE WORST heartburn ever but I just kept drinking it like the idiot I am,
So at 30 weeks I had a suspected blood clot on my lung which was pretty scary, I was just washing up one day and then I felt like I was struggling to breath and felt like I sort of had to lean forward it was all so strange, it did pass and I wasn't even going to do anything about it honestly but I thought better see my GP just in case it was something and he sent me up to the hospital where I had some tests done and a scan and was put on heparin injections that I had to do twice a day until I gave birth. Its all abit complicated and a long story so I wont go on about the details BUT believe it or not
those last few weeks sickness wise I was so much better I had as much energy as you can expect at 38 weeks if not a little more and it was great and despite being kicked in the ribs all day long it was a beautiful time waiting for him to come and it felt mad because I didn't expect I would be enjoying it if you had told me right at the start but it was it was beautiful.
And finally I ending up going 10 days overdue and was induced, then baby Arlo was here and the pregnancy was over.. I cant say I entirely miss being pregnant for obvious reasons but I do miss the bump lol


The advice id give any woman pregnant for the first time is to just take it as easy as physically possible don't push yourself enjoy growing your baby and those crazy pregnant hormones are wild but its 9 months of your life where its okay to be crazy so make the most of it!



My pregnancy must haves- ( I didn't use a lot of products so just a couple of bits)

-Belly pillow ( that's what I used to call it haha) I loved stuffing just a 1000 normal pillows under bump and that was great to but I do recommended - https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aldi.co.uk%2Fkirkton-house-body-pillow%2Fp%2F013844275108000%3Fgclsrc%3Daw.ds%26%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIzdDSl7zQ4gIViLPtCh3EfQx0EAQYGyABEgLeUfD_BwE%26fbclid%3DIwAR3MODitxgSpWAv0Fmt1f4cSdBGHDdphn6zltQ1rWQNp5iaxCQt727-xttI&h=AT0G86UiowJXC1p73ehWIz6SDxdBMTp6QwF-gKhuyZryWrp_9MahoaJjfmhLP_hQ6PsG-Sw-nyUPWj7lpw5iT3twnl6YIzsJ5JxkC3u8yDMi-uMRkahNR9lXjWqhhPxPlq1x5Q
- Asos maternity leggings , these are soooooo soft and washed amazing all round great!
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asos.com%2Fasos-maternity%2Fasos-design-maternity-over-the-bump-premium-supersoft-leggings-in-cotton-modal%2Fprd%2F8996352%3FctaRef%3Dmy%2520orders%26fbclid%3DIwAR37ywQyBgtXCvd2IsCpW3AdAbhmfEKk1BpC3JuZk4ENQJKaGWmXbSFY1Jo&h=AT0G86UiowJXC1p73ehWIz6SDxdBMTp6QwF-gKhuyZryWrp_9MahoaJjfmhLP_hQ6PsG-Sw-nyUPWj7lpw5iT3twnl6YIzsJ5JxkC3u8yDMi-uMRkahNR9lXjWqhhPxPlq1x5Q
-Boohoo maternity for summer maternity clothes is great
-I got bleeding gums while pregnant and this stuff was amazing! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsodyl-Problem-Treatment-Mouthwash-Mint/dp/B0015X83E6/ref=asc_df_B0015X83E6/?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583795261547552&psc=1


This is a more personal post unlike some of my others so I really hope you enjoyed it and picked up a couple of things to do and not to do ( stay away from the oj lol) I have defiantly missed a lot of things out but I feel like I covered the basics ahhhh I hope so anyway
I actually have already done my birth story and you can find that on the drop down menu or at the top under all posts

Thank you for reading
Love
Hazel and Arlo xxx

What Arlo Eats

WEANING!

I really wanted to do this post on weaning because I feel like its a big topic and I've really come into my own with it lately and am a lot more confident and creative with what I'm giving Arlo! Weaning used to STRESS me out! I hated it I really did.. I didn't know if what I was doing was right or weather he was getting the right things or enough of the right things! god I stressed haha

In this post there's going to be about and ideas for blw and also spoon fed/puree ideas, I do combination with Arlo because that just works best for us! However from 6 months I did start just puree's and the odd finger food where as I know a lot of mums now just like to do blw from the start but I think for me anyway I wasn't completely comfortable with it and I wanted to know exactly what Arlo is getting, of course now he's older I give him a lot more 'solid' foods.

We are still very much on our 'weaning journey' so I still have things to learn and so does Arlo and I know as time goes on we will try so much more!

So let me just briefly talk about how Arlo eats (8-9 months) He pretty much has 3 meals a day, breakfast and dinner tend to be the biggest and then we have snackey lunches although some days ill maybe make a bigger lunch but its all trial and error I just like to see and work out how much he likes to eat. I've been so blessed Arlo will literally eat ANYTHING ( including everything on MY  plate lol) he's honestly almost to into it! If he's in his highchair watching me make his food he will literally moan and moan and moan until its in front of him I swear.. I've never know a baby more impatient for mashed Weetabix honestly haha

First up, Food plates 'blw' but also on a few plates are things you would/could spoon-fed them
( Plate and bowl are from bamboo bamboo which we use regliously because there amazing)

 Breakfast: I had so many ideas for breakfast and do him different things all the time and there would have easily been 10 plates so I have cut them down but ill of course including other great ideas!

1. Mixed berry museli, Strawberry yogurt and raspberries
You'll find nearly all of these plates are so so simple to make!

2.  Mashed weetobix, scrambled egg and cream cheese bagel thins

3. Toast fingers, scrambled egg and banana!

4. Fruit and Toast!

Other:
Porridge ( one of Arlo's faves) he will usually been spoon-fed this and then have toast fingers himself
Crumpets
Omelette's
Mashed Weetabix mixed with mashed banana
Soft breakfast muffins


Lunch-


1. Cream cheese sandwiches, cheese cubes and cucumber sticks

2. Cheesy mozzarella pasta, with raspberries for afters

3. Vegetable Frittas with chips and cucumber

Dinner-

1. Fish ( fish fingers without the skin), mash potato and mixed veg

2. Veggie pizza with cucumber triangles

3. Vegetable medley soup

4. Chicken Goujon, cauliflower cheese and cut up baby tomato's

Others: There is so much you can do for dinners really and honestly out of everything its probably the one I struggle with oddly? But this is what he does have...
Cauliflower cheese with pasta
Spaghetti hoops and cut up sausage
Fish and rice
Spag bowl
Shepard's Pie
Sweet potato fries

I also want to briefly touch on home made puree's which I also did when I first started weaning Arlo, I think home made puree's are a great money saver and a great way to know exactly whats in your bubba's food! I don't think its particularly hard to do and I would highly recommend doing it but I do now he's older go shop brought as it is that bit easier and there's no making involved and no defrosting etc but I did really enjoy making them for Arlo! His faves were generally just veg mixed together like, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots and he also WAY preferred cold blended fresh banana over pouches! Arlo didn't take to Ella's and other pouches when we started weaning which again is another reason I think I did a lot more homemade stuff than other mums and every baby is different and its like breastfeeding and bottle feeding FED IS BEST so don't pressure yourself into thinking everything baby eats has to be homemade this and homemade that.

Right now for shop brought food! I do use jars for dinners as well ( a fair bit) because I honestly am not a fan of cooking and don't enjoy it even if it may seem that way and nothing better than just having instant food and meals. Arlo can be fairly fussy with what brands he has but hes getting better with age. These are just a few of our faves and our go to's.

1. The cow and gate jars ( Arlo's faves and my go to for dinners lol)

2. Heinz Fruit pouches - These are great for breakfast either by themselves or to top off porriadge or weetobix to make things less plain, he has the whole pouch now hes 9 months old


3. Heinz Muesli and porridges ( Breakfast must haves for us )


4. Heinz biscuits ( so basically we LOVE Heinz hahah





Weaning equipment must haves!

1. Bamboo Bamboo plate+bowl
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015UGKX1O/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toddler-Suction-Feeding-Natural-Bamboo/dp/B073GZH3ZB/ref=pd_day0_c_75_1/261-6622947-4359867?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B073GZH3ZB&pd_rd_r=5bdb37d5-70dc-11e9-b50e-d7a80895e95a&pd_rd_w=5kA3z&pd_rd_wg=0DxrI&pf_rd_p=1b16ed2e-edbf-47da-98c0-64abfa54609a&pf_rd_r=3232CP9HNCXAX8ESSZ5Q&psc=1&refRID=3232CP9HNCXAX8ESSZ5Q

2. Munckin spoons
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Munchkin-White-Infant-Safety-Spoons/dp/B00HZO5S4M/ref=sr_1_2?crid=11P5ULI2C2RDH&keywords=munckin+spoons&qid=1557242840&s=baby&sprefix=muncki%2Cbaby%2C139&sr=1-2

3. Joie highchair
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5271315?CMPID=BPLA01&_$ja=tsid:72553|acid:38002085|cid:273131720|agid:1203965270207693|tid:pla-4578847459490551:aud-805836077|crid:75247834864968|nw:search|dvc:c|st:joie%20highchair|mt:be|loc:&cmpid=BPLA01&msclkid=cbf2625fdf311a0b4fec3e8e7ba812cc&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Nursery%7C%7CMed&utm_term=4578847459490551&utm_content=Nursery%7C%7CFeeding

4. Freezable pots-
https://groceries.asda.com/product/baby-feeding/tommee-tippee-explora-pop-up-freezer-pots-tray-4m-weaning/910000482792

5. Munckin cup-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Munchkin-Miracle-Degree-Trainer-Blue/dp/B0158YQYWU/ref=asc_df_B0158YQYWU/?tag=bingshoppinga-
21&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}
&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583451664039482&psc=1


I really hope you liked this post and found it helpful! I really tried to include everything I could think of and make it informative and give you ideas but be easy at the same time! If a weaning q&a is something you think is worth me doing there's a poll over on my Instagram or leave me a comment down bellow!


Love
Hazel and Arlo xxx

Baby Haul

Everyone really seemed to like when I did the 6-9 months unisex/boys clothing haul so this time I'm doing another haul but its an all baby bits haul! (but of course there is a couple of clothes bits..oops) This is not exclusive to just the baby boys at all so all the links will be below again and I hope you really like this as much as I enjoyed this shopping lol.

1 .https://www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2700090_c228/unisex-star-sleeping-bag-newborn-18mths-grey

This is a great unisex sleeping bag! It's 2.5 tog so its nice and snug and it feels super soft, Arlo had recently grown out of his 6-12 month sleeping bags because he's so bloody LONG haha so this was a must buy and I'm super pleased with it, sleeping bags for babies can actually be in my opinion very over priced and this was actually super reasonable! The stars match Arlo's room which is always a bonus lol ( coordination to the max)

2.  https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0716849003.html 

I'm absolutely OBESSESSED with these swim shorts! Arlo outgrew his wetsuit for his swim lessons a while ago now so this was another must buy but I'm loving them and the design, I do find H&M to be quite hit and miss but I defo find some gems there, I also got him just some plain white socks as he needed more as they always go walk abouts..

3.  https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0462128021.html

Not much I can say really but its a nice footless baby grow which Arlo probably didn't need but it was in the sale so I had to get it duh but footless baby grows are always good because they tend to last a bit longer as baby grows!

4. https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0717640001.html

5. https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0699020001.html

How CUTE are these little dungaree shorts! Now I think I may have brought a to small a size but besides that they are honestly so nice and paired with a white t-shirt underneath with the little white summer hat this could be such a cute little summer outfit! You will have seen a similar ish long legged pair in my 6-9 month clothing haul so if you like these and haven't seen that defiantly go and check it out!

6 . https://www.very.co.uk/chicco-dj-piano/1600343743.prd?_requestid=233393&Ntt=chicco%20dj

Very happy with this toy from Chicco! its guide age is 1-4  so its great value because although Arlo likes it now as he gets more and more aware and coordinated he'll still be able to play with it!

7. https://www.very.co.uk/leapfrog-scouts-learning-lights-remote/1600335371.prd?_requestid=239212&Ntt=leap%20frog%20remote

I wanted to get Arlo a couple of new toys and I thought this looked great as it lights up and plays music so will defiantly grab his attention! So far he likes it but he's not completely interested however I think its great as it actually plays and does a lot of different things so hopefully when he's a little older he'll enjoy it more

8. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Company-Anywhere-Portable-Blackout-Suction/dp/B00BKZLWBU/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=gro+blind&qid=1554056672&s=gateway&sr=8-1

I haven't managed to get any pic's yet but this hasn't honestly been a life saver for blocking out the light in the mornings and Arlo has stopped waking at 5:30am thank god!

9. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skip-Hop-Zoo-Fill-Fountain/dp/B06XFCPWNZ/ref=asc_df_B06XFCPWNZ/?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932700326002&psc=1

Arlo and me both LOVE this bath toy from SKIPHOP! Skip Hop toys in my opinion are great anyway and I was really struggling to find any good bath toys and this looked great on the Mothercare website but it was actually sold out on there so I got it off amazon, you literally just put it under the water and then lift it up and It greats a waterfall effect which Arlo loves reaching his hands out and feeling.

Hope some of you found something you liked!
I would love to know if you enjoyed this haul and if I should do another again in the future so please leave a comment below or on my latest Instagram post!

Love Hazel and Baby Arlo xxx

Things I Wish I'd Done Differently So Far

Hopefully this wont be a long post as I hate living with regrets! But like everything with hind sight as time passes I think most of us would agree you look back and there are things you would have done differently no matter how small.

Ill start with things I wish I had brought!
-The Chicco Next2Me Crib
There's a couple of reasons I wish I had brought this.Arlo actually slept in a moses basket when he was born and unlike some babies he slept well in it but the problem we had is he out grew It very quickly and by nearly 3 months he was pretty tight and was waking himself up knocking into the sides. And for those of you that like me hadn't actually heard of the Chicco Next2Me its ALOT bigger than a moses basket both width and length and what's really lovely is the side can come down and it can attach to your bed, its in my eyes a great great product and wish I had brought it. Arlo ended up in his cot bed at 3 months and also in his own room as it was just to big for our bedroom which in all honestly we did sleep better separately but I do wish I had, had him closer to me just for a little bit longer and I think the next2me would have aided me with that. Although they are on the expensive side if your planning more than one baby it could defiantly be a good investment.

- Newborn Photoshoot!
Now I know its not a product as such but its something you buy isn't it lol. I think there beautiful and its something I really wish I had done and I lost so many newborn pictures of Arlo when I got my new phone which is so gutting but I do still have hundreds of him so its ok haha! I defiantly think if you can find a good photographer at a reasonable price defiantly worth doing.

Right now for things I wish I had actually done differently!
- Breastfeeding...
This is probably my biggest regret and only real regret I think about often.. I breastfed Arlo for a week or so 2 weeks but then changed to formula and honestly looking back there was no massive reason for it and I just really wish I had perceived and kept going... it can be very time consuming at the beginning and when your tired and want to sleep it can be frustrating but it is also such a beautiful time to bond with your baby and if I ever have another its something I'm determined to do. I defiantly recommend if you want to breastfed getting as much support as you can, classes ,Facebook groups, your health visitor and of course partner and family.

- More tummy time early on!
I didn't really know an awful lot about tummy time when I was pregnant if at all and I didn't realise just how important it is so in Arlo's first few months he didn't do it an awful lot and he got to about 5 months and I started reading more about it because he was a little bit behind babies his age and younger in the sense that his head control was great but not when he was on his front and he couldn't sit what so ever and I remember seeing 3 month old babies on there tummies heads right up. So the last month two months everyday we have been doing lots and lots of tummy time and hes soooooo much better now and has defiantly improved so much on his front but I do wish I had started it earlier so another tip for you pregnant mummies reading this, tummy time tummy time tummy time.


I would love to hear some of your regrets or things if you have another child you would defiantly do or change! If you keep scrolling there's a comment box below!

Thank you so much for reading!
Lots of love
Hazel and baby Arlo xxx

Our Bodies Postpartum

This post will be raw and reality and I know other mums will relate but if your a mum to be don't be scared this is only my experience and no 2 peoples are the same but I'm hoping all the things I wish I had done/know I hope you can take into consideration and your recovery/ postpartum experience will hopefully be a lot better! This post is based on a vaginal birth as that's what I had, C-section rates are currently at 15.6 % unplanned and 11.5% planned in the UK and if your a mummy to be have a little read up of C-section recovery just to cover all your bases.

I thought this would be quite an interesting post and its honestly not something I hear talked about often at all and honestly when I was pregnant with Arlo I hardly thought about! But its probably because at midwife appointments even up till the end it was never discussed ( might of been just my midwife!) But I had absolutely no idea what to expect or what it was going to  be like after giving birth. I think the only thing I knew was that I was going to bleed a lot and to get maternity pads.. Well let me tell me you there's more to it than that and if you happen to be unlucky like me it can be a lot more painful than what you could possibly imagine!

I do think its natural to just think about what's happening to you in the now and when I was pregnant I got as far as going into labour and my mind would just stop! I just knew I would obviously have a baby and bring a baby home but I think the postpartum side of things just wasn't something I thought about and it just wasn't top of my priority's.

When I had Arlo I tore EVERYTHING and when I mean everything if there was a part you could tear I tore it! I remember looking at my discharge sheet in shock because half the places I had torn I didn't even know were possible! ( It wasn't pretty) Due to complications although I had Arlo at 7am I didn't get my stitches till 11am! which is madness really when you think about it, I actually put that down a lot to why my stitches got infected. They do tell you at the hospital that you will bleed for a few days and it varies from woman to woman and I was really lucky and I didn't bleed an awful lot past maybe the first 2 days! and it stopped very very quickly compared to I know some people can be very unlucky and it can go on a while.

My stitches getting infected effected my recover ALOT  and I have to say it was horrible the pain was worse than contractions when I had to go to the toilet... The stinging was just excruciating I remember physically shaking on the toilet in pain.. when it is so painful as well your body try's to block the thing that's causing you pain and although it was probably physiological as well I was almost stopping my self from going to the toilet because I didn't want to go through the pain! and even when I built up the courage lol it was like my body just was like nope not doing it... There are a lot of things I've read since having Arlo that probably would have helped me a lot that I wish I had known at the time! Its honestly such a whirlwind time that you honestly don't have time to stop and think!

After giving birth when you could do the toilet weather you are unlucky and get an infection or not if you have stitches its going to sting and a common trick other women and the health visitor will tell you to do is use a jug and pour warm water down as you wee to dilute it, I do think It helps but for me it didn't make a massive difference but I do think drinking as much as you can and diluting your wee is really helpful. I was also told if that doesn't work that as gross as it sounds filling the bath up and going in the bath can help relieve the pain and stinging, and that for me did really work haha the first week and a half after I had Arlo I was weeing in the bath haha child birth really is the most un dignified thing EVER! Another thing I did in the first few days that gave me some temporary relief is a cold flannel.. yep I put a cold flannel in my underwear lol even writing this I'm like oh my god having a baby is just sooooo glamorous but its got to be talked about hasn't it! If we want the cute babies you gotta do some things haha. What I would do is put a flannel under some cold water and pretty much wring most of it out and then pop it in the fridge and I did it with a few so I could keep changing them.

In my opinion and I don't know if its just me personally or if other women felt this way after giving birth but I really don't think I was prepared what so ever for the recovery of having a baby and I think I was really uninformed and I do think its a really un talked about thing and my midwife never talked to me about what was going to happen AFTER I gave birth and although a gross uncomfortable time I know I wish I had someone talk to me more about it and there had been more tips and tricks to help relieve pains etc, I might have coped and had a slightly better experience after having Arlo ( if that's possible after pushing a 8lb 8 baby out..)

I'm going to link some really helpful pages with some tips and tricks I wish I had known down below for all the mums to be!

- https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2Famp%2Fs%2Fwww.thebump.com%2Fa%2Fthe-truth-about-postpartum-recovery-from-vaginal-delivery%2Famp%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0ByFZYGE_hcx4kIu2S37hfv_K8n3OrCOzaunQfORtb0ba_0vC8he6Exak&h=AT2P18BX6lL5-l9S75vmEgY298m2Ul9T1qeCBttFDb6MlBpEVLJ0PiTSvq4gPD5QYPK5CyeBPBBGXEJt2U5drSy8kikKSrOZjhupgEGpvC8wnkeWXnFsVLrM0kA5ybsO9GZgtROKplFhjvsEz-T1sw

- https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2Famp%2Fs%2Famp.flo.health%2Fbeing-a-mom%2Frecovering-from-birth%2Fpostpartum-problems%2F12-postpartum-recovery-tips-that-will-help-you-return-to-your-old-self%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2sAEFMtbO5EFFo_y3Q8d5XYFnZQzGtK52CZnDR5257m8mmZ53jxedVvsE&h=AT2P18BX6lL5-l9S75vmEgY298m2Ul9T1qeCBttFDb6MlBpEVLJ0PiTSvq4gPD5QYPK5CyeBPBBGXEJt2U5drSy8kikKSrOZjhupgEGpvC8wnkeWXnFsVLrM0kA5ybsO9GZgtROKplFhjvsEz-T1sw

- https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mom365.com%2Fmom%2Fhealth-and-fitness%2Fvaginal-birth-recovery%3Fm%3D1%26fbclid%3DIwAR1kACJlzZ-Aym-xnNW9EQeVJei9tnSIyCtmYIQeoHgLFw8VbQB82cx7FN4&h=AT2P18BX6lL5-l9S75vmEgY298m2Ul9T1qeCBttFDb6MlBpEVLJ0PiTSvq4gPD5QYPK5CyeBPBBGXEJt2U5drSy8kikKSrOZjhupgEGpvC8wnkeWXnFsVLrM0kA5ybsO9GZgtROKplFhjvsEz-T1sw

BREASTFEEDING -

Breastfeeding is a huge part of postpartum for many mums, breastfeeding there's no doubt about it, it is not easy, honestly when I think about it I don't really know where it went wrong for me and it wasn't that I wasn't able to breastfeed because I was lucky enough that Arlo took really well but for probably a couple of reasons it didn't work out for me and looking back there quite stupid reasons and I really wish I had pushed myself more but those first couple of weeks you are just in a daze you can spend some days just in and out of sleep so it was and is very easy to give up breastfeeding as formula is easier because your partner can help and it has other benefits to you to. With breastfeeding in my opinion SUPPORT IS CRUTIAL breastfeeding will be a lot more successful with the right support! You can come up against a lot from sore nipples to a low milk supply but there is so much you can do to help and combat these problems. Defiantly try and go to a breastfeeding classes and do some reading and make sure your stocked up on things like nipple cream for when babies born!

All I can really say with breastfeeding because breastfeeding isn't for everyone, breastfeeding doesn't define how you are as a mother and formula feeding mothers are just as amazing but from experience if its something you really really want to do really push yourself try your best because I do really regret not doing more and miss it so much so atleast knowing you did everything you can makes such a difference! 

Now for your stomach haha something you actually probably will think about while pregnant! ' will my belly ever be flat again?' 'how long before I can get back into my jeans?' 'what will It look like??!!' Well its STRANGE.. strange is defiantly the perfect word for your belly the first few weeks after giving birth it does look exactly like a deflated balloon lol but it does go down very very quickly compared to how big you are at 40 weeks and it defiantly shocked me that within a couple of days my 'bump' was almost completely gone! The 'empty ballon' your left with will take those extra few weeks to completely go and it does. I have to say it is un realistic to think your body will go completely back to normal and I did come to terms with that. Although all signs of my bump are gone now by 6 months I have been left with a mum tum.. my little pouch at the bottom of my tummy and some days it can get me down but I am still only half way through my first year since having Arlo and honestly in the future I might get rid of it or reduce it by going to the gym and not eating chocolate everyday but right now.. Im just to fucking tired.

Finally PERIODS

Before I fell pregnant with Arlo I was really blessed and I was super regular I had maybe 3-4 day periods they weren't heavy or painful I didn't really get cramps or anything they didn't faze me at all. Well now is a commplleetteyy different story.. its crazy, I didn't have a period until 3 or so months after having Arlo and I did worry abit because it was a little while before they came back and I only breastfed for such a short amount of time but everyone's bodies are different and its safe to say when that first one came I regretted wishing it to come that's for sure..ahhhhh, I've now had 3 since Arlo and my periods are completely different now the pain is horrendous to the point I don't want to go out because walking around is a no I just want to double over and sit down and well,.. ive gone from a regular tampon to a super.. sooooo yeah... pray for me 

This post has been really difficult to write because I knew it would be quite long and I know I do have a lot of pregnant mums that read my blog and I didn't want to scare people! But I do really hope that some of things Ive talked about give a little help and if you have had your babies and children already I hope I didn't bring back to many horrible memories haha

If there's anything that'll make you feel like your really a mum and can relate you to other mums/bits weeing in the bath!! hahaha

Even after this frankly negative post its all so so worth it for your little treasure 

Thank you so much for reading

Love Hazel and Arlo xxx

6-9 Months Uni-sex and Boy Clothing Haul

Arlo was in desperate need of more 6-9 month clothes and there's nothing I love more than a haul so I thought why not make it into a blog post! Everything down below will be linked and if you want to see what a few things look like on go over to my Instagram.. https://www.instagram.com/mummytobabyarlo/ and there are a few pictures of  him in a couple of the outfits 

1. https://www.mothercare.com/newborn-boys-clothes-newborn-18-months/dino-dungarees-and-bodysuit-set/LSA345.html?cgid=clothing_newborn_boys#prefn1=clothingStyle&sz=12&start=34&prefv1=Sets+%26+all+in+ones

This is by far one of my favororites! Its very boy and very cute I do put Arlo in a lot of unisex so im so glad I got this! Of course its typical mothercare and great quality! ( Might have to say best quality out of everything)

2. https://www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2691573_c228/boys-tricot-zip-through-jacket-4-13yrs-grey

This is such a lovely unisex 2 piece and I have to say compared to mothercare and the other brands Matalan's 6-9 month size is very big which isn't a bad thing as this set is defiantly going to out live everything else!

3. https://www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2704985_c359/unisex-3-pack-baby-grows-tiny-baby-12mths-white

What can I say these are just really lovely unisex baby grows and like the 2 piece bigger in size than most other places 6-9 months

4. https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Grey-Stripe-Knitted-Romper-%280-24-Months%29/134358307-Grey?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

I really love Sainsburys baby clothes and think they are a really lovely quality this one piece is not typically what I would usually go for but my friends little boy looked so cute in it I couldn't help myself! It could defiantly be worn to a occasion as the buttons and little collar make it look really smart!

5. https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Grey-Dinosaur-Bodysuit-%26-Joggers-Set-%280-24-months%29/134188088-Grey?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

Another more 'boy' piece ( as you can tell I am trying to dress him more like a boy lol) 

6. https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0701726004.html

These are very unisex and would also look super cute on baby girls! I don't know how I feel about H&M baby clothes, I defiantly think they have some nice pieces but there wasn't an awful lot I couldn't find I liked which is why I only ended up getting these dungarees. I paired the dungarees with a white long sleeved body suit which looked super cute but I know they do it as a set with a grey top which I really want but unfortunately they are sold out! I am very disappointed with the H&M sizes these are very small for 6-9 months and I highly doubt they will fit him for very long..

7.  I wasn't able to find the link to this set which is such a shame! I brought this instore though and I'm sure if your In there you'll be able to find it!

Despite my rubbish picture this is a great set and its super soft which I do find ASDA'S sets always are ( the same cant be said for there baby grows) Asda online is great and I highly recommend it for affordable baby clothes but I don't know if its just my local stores but I can never seem to find anything in there I like this set was defiantly a good find 

I really really hope you enjoyed this mini clothing haul and leave me a comment on here or on my Instagram post if this is something you would like to see more of! 

Hazel & Baby Arlo 

xxx