We’re finally back from holidays! Did you miss me? Or maybe you’re missing me already right this very second. I’ve got loads to share, but just like any post-holiday mood I’m feeling very lazy. Well they say a  picture paints a thousand words and I uploaded 81 of them here … so that makes 81,000 words worth. Beyond pictures, I also have some wonderful clips to share. It’s always my policy to ensure I upload only videos that are really worth sharing. So trust me: this isn’t any just run-the-mill mundane clip… this is ground-breaking stuff in babyworld! From standing ovations , we now have walking ovations. He still needs something to hold onto just to keep his balance but we definitely have upright mobility! You can see in the video the little guy can barely contain himself with delight. And then we venture into new elements… WATER! This clip is Nathan’s very first time swimming in a pool. I was expecting him to be a little scared and apprehensive of the new floating sen...

So in just a few short hours we’ll be flying off for our family holiday to KL and KK. I’m so excited but also a little apprehensive of any unexpected dramas we might encounter with this holiday being Nathan’s first plane and trip he’s first venture outside of Perth/WA. I shall not be abandoning you all completely because as promised, I now unveil to you the details of the long awaited giveaway … If you didn’t know, November is my birthday month, and I sort of wanted to celebrate it with giving a little pressie to someone – something different and fun I guess. So I’m giving away this lovely Pea Pods Pocket Nappy Set The set comprises of a pocket nappy, a bamboo trifold insert, and a mini wet bag. The pocket nappy features a PUL outer, stay-dry lining on the inside, and a double row of snaps. It’s a size medium designed for babies from 6 months up to 3 years old or 8-16 kg. The trifold insert goes inside the pocket nappy or can also be used in a number of alternative ways ...

Here’s another quick preview of the giveaway item… Just because I needed to do a test shot with my new camera ^_^ This is not the actual nappy I’m giving away of course, but it will be similar to this one. FYI, I’ll most likely be organising the giveaway over at The Bub Hub . But I’ll post an update over here when it’s out. I considered organising the giveaway here as well, but to be honest I have no idea what the actual demographics of my readers are apart from close family and friends. I get hundreds and hundreds of hits and an unknown number of RSS-feed readers, but most of you guys are pretty quiet. So I have no clue how many parents are among you guys who might be interested. Apologies if it bums some of you guys out, but I hope you understand.

Just a quick post on new foods and snacks I’ve introduced recently… Cheerios! His getting very adept at the thumb-forefinger pincer grip to pick up small objects. So Cheerios are now a favourite snack and a good way to keep him occupied. Vege sticks – either steamed or blanched. Here he’s munching on some blanched kai-lan stems (Chinese broccoli) and loving it! This week I tried giving him some fruity yoghurt shake which he expertly sipped through a straw. It was the first time he drank through a straw. I was so amazed. Other than that he’s already been enjoying cruskits, cheese sticks, Arrowroot bickies, apple slices and a variety of other foods . He’s now also progressed from soft lumpy food textures to eating rice with sauce or soup, mixed with chopped veges and meat. I now can sort of prepare some of our meals together by cooking his portion of the meat/veg first without salt/soy sauce, setting it aside and then continuing on with the remaining batch for hubs and me. He w...

So after that initial hint , I thought to give you peeps a little sneak preview of the nappy I plan to give away… A Pea Pods pocket nappy with a bamboo trifold insert and also comes with a bonus PUL-lined mini wet bag! I know a number of people who are not big fans of pockets. The biggest issue seems to be about the yucky business pulling out wet inserts from the pocket. So for the non-pocket-enthusiasts: just for fun, I thought to share three alternative ways to use the pocket nappy … #1. Lay the trifold on top of the shell and use it “insert plus nappy cover style”. I know folks who like using it this way so they can reuse the cover and just replace the inserts as needed. #2. Use the inserts “ prefold style ”. I discovered that these inserts are similar in size with a standard prefold and can be folded accordingly, wrapped around baby’s bum and covered over with the pocket shell or a nappy cover.   The texture of the insert’s bamboo material is also able to ‘catch’ hold...

It’s been a while since I posted a Nathan update. He is now at the 10-month mark. He has been moving so fast these days it’s been a challenge keeping up with him. Since that initial attempt at pulling himself standing , he’s now progressed on to cruising around on his feet, holding on to furniture and anything he can find. We’re now into the octopus baby mode where those hands just get into everything. We now have to be very conscientious at making sure we keep anything important far away out his reach. Our coffee table, side tables, TV bench, lower shelves are now so clutter free! (the clutter has been migrated elsewhere). Otherwise here are some examples of things that could happen… My sewing projects have slowed down also because of all this. I used to be able to sew whilst Nathan sits in his high chair watching on contently. But now he just cannot sit still. He wants to touch, see and taste everything. But after a long while, I’ve finally finished another couple of items es...

For while now I’ve been contemplating getting a activity centre or a doorway jumper for my son who’s now into his 9th month. He’s been getting increasingly active as the days go by with an insane amount of energy to burn. I considered getting a walker or doorway jumper, but was concerned over safety issues with such items highlighted in Choice magazine’s list of Ten Things Not to Buy Your Kids . Hence stationary activity centres appear to be the safer alternative for what I was after. So when Fisher-Price gave me the opportunity to review their Luv U Zoo Jumperoo, I was thrilled. My official review has been published on the Bub Hub Reviews section which you can check out here or read below: Jumperoo - the perfect hybrid between activity centres and baby jumpers I was impressed that the Jumperoo was not just a static activity centre, but doubled up as a baby jumper as well, which is a safer option to doorway jumpers. It’s the perfect hybrid solution between activity centres and ba...

Received another baby product to review – the Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Jumperoo. Here are a few quick snapshots of the initial reactions it received upon it’s arrival at our house…:     The little guy burned off a lot of energy in the 20-minutes he was in it and slept super soundly for his afternoon nap. All part of the job of a product tester . FYI the review will be posted through The BubHub Reviews section sometime over the next couple of weeks. Will update on when it’s out. UPDATE: Jumperoo review is now out

Just a post to show off my new fluff from my cloth nappy party … Two Bitti Tuttos (the green and zebra print), a yellow Bitti Boo, an Ecobumba plaid print, and an Itti Bitti wet bag. Took the opportunity as I was changing Nathan out of his PJs to try out the fluff before I tossed them into the wash.     Pre-washed nappies drying happily on the line… it was sunny 35 degree Celsius day, perfect day for laundry. Thank you for indulging me, readers… it's just all part of my routine with getting new fluff.

Today is my dad’s 60th birthday. Unfortunately we are all the way here and he’s way over in Malaysia and we won’t get to see him for another four weeks. Fortunately I had a brainwave and had the sudden inspiration to use my son as the key messenger using the wonderful world of digital technology. My idea was to get him to hold up a happy birthday sign, look straight at the camera and flash one of his brilliant smiles. So simple and clever right? I was sure my dad would love it. However as with most things, the practical application of an idea is where the challenge lies. Anyway I thought I’d share a little photo montage of our attempts to get Nathan to perform…         It also doesn’t help that I don’t have a great camera. However the idea didn’t turn out to be an actual failure. We I picked the last picture in the montage to post up on Facebook as a birthday greeting. With practice, I’m sure Nathan' will soon be an expert birthday messenger. Anyway, Happy Birt...