SWADDLE UP™ Zip-Up Swaddle

Getting more sleep with the zip-up swaddle.

When we first brought Cassie home from hospital just over two years ago now, Chris and I both felt like we were acing this parenting gig. We’d had such a smooth ride in hospital, with our perfect angel baby who just slept and fed all day and night, wrapped up snug in her blanket. The Sunday we came home was Father’s Day, a day earlier than we had to but we thought this was the ideal start to our parenthood journey, so we packed our things and walked out happily and confidently.

8 Things to Know if You’re Considering Adoption

12 / 12 / 1712 / 6 / 17

8 things to know if you’re considering adoption.

We cannot tell you how many people have said to us “I’d love to adopt, but I couldn’t”. The reasons they give vary from the emotional to the practical. The emotional ones include anticipated sadness around rejection from your child: “you’re not my real mother!” or a concern that you couldn’t truly love a child that isn’t biologically yours. The practical ranges from structural (for example, in Australia, the system is hard and slow, and if people are coming from years of infertility, they may already be too old to start), to the financial (we understand the cost of adoption in the US can get up to $40,000).

When Grandparents Babysit Your Kids

12 / 11 / 1712 / 1 / 17

When grandparents babysit your kids.

Grandparents really are truly wonderful people to have in your children’s lives. Whether it is your parents, or your partners’ parents, the first thing you should feel is blessed that they are there for your children and will help you raise them along the way. At least this is the way I feel about Cassie’s grandparents – and I know just how lucky is to have Neen, Gregpa and Nana in her life. I know just how lucky my husband and I are as well, after all, the days of free babysitting and the night’s off to ourselves are worth their weight in gold.

Christmas Present Ideas For Kids

12 / 4 / 1712 / 2 / 17

After some great Christmas present ideas for kids you know? Here is a fabulous list of 10 presents to get you started.

I am the type of person that likes to be organised – doing things last minute doesn’t work with my personality and that includes Christmas shopping. It may not be socially acceptable, but I start scouting out presents for nieces and nephews back in July. It not only helps to break up the cost of Christmas, but it means when the festive season creeps up (which it all too often does without us noticing), I can sit back nice and relaxed knowing I have everyone covered. This year, I made things even easier for myself. I went into Kidstuff (started online then went and visited their store near me), told the staff member the ages of my nieces and nephews, and got some great present suggestions. Everything I needed under one roof with some great help to go with it!

Top Kids Picture Books

11 / 30 / 1711 / 19 / 17

These are our top kids picture books for the month. Check them out!

Cinderella by Jane Ray
Walker Books
I’m not going to lie, I love a good fairy tale and this book doesn’t disappoint. As I turned each and every page I was just as, if not more, excited than Cassie to see the gorgeous 3D illustrations. Cassie loved pulling on each page (which thankfully are quite sturdy) and examining the contents, pointing out all the things she recognised. From ugly step sisters through to beautiful ball gowns it retells the tale perfectly. It’s one of our favourite night time stories at the moment that we enjoyed snuggled up together on the couch.

5 Ways to Help Your Eldest Bond with Your Newborn

11 / 27 / 1711 / 18 / 17

5 ways to help you eldest bond with your newborn.

Giving your eldest child a sibling is a great gift. Finally, another brother or sister to play with! When you were pregnant, you probably did all the right things with your eldest by letting them be in on the pregnancy. You gave them a plastic baby and toy pram of their own, while encouraging them to treat that baby gently and with immense amounts of love.