Holiday Series Intro

As we're off to France on holiday soon, I thought I'd do a little holiday series on here, mostly on what we're taking with us, but also how I prepare for going on holiday, especially now it's harder and there's more to organise and take when you have a child or children. We learnt quite a lot from going away last year, so this time around it I'm more prepared for what it will be like.

So look out for the posts in the next few weeks.

Current Everyday Make-up

As it's Summer (and it's actually been a pretty good one for us in England) I like to start off with a light base. Currently I'm using Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light I just use my fingers to apply this. As this is really sheer I then use Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light (I am aware they have changed the colour names since I purchased - but don't knot what colour I would be now) to cover up any blemishes and scars that I have. I dab this one using the dophur applicator and then pat it in with my fingers. To set my base I use Rimmel's Clear Complexion Powder in Transparent, as it helps to keep me matte as well as keep my base from coming off. I apply this with a Real Techniques Powder Brush. I like to add a bit of colour to my cheeks using Natural Collection's blush in Pink Cloud. My current go to mascara is Maybelline's Volum' Express The Rocket in Black Waterproof. I find none waterproof mascara tends to melt off in the heat, plus you never know when it's going to rain, even if it is a hot day.

Zara Baby Haul

I popped into Zara on my weekly walk this week, and picked up a few new items of clothes for Ben in the next size up. We won't be going up in sizes for a while yet, but I think it's good to buy things gradually, and store them away for later.

'Never Too Old To Need My Mum' top - £4.99
Grey top with pocket - £4.99
'Tres Cool' top - £6.00
Paw print leggings - £8.99

Ben's 16 month update

I can't believe it's time for Bens 16 month update, these come round so fast!

Sleep
Sleeps still going great, Ben even managed to sleep through a couple of thunderstorms, that managed to wake me up. He mostly sleeps on his tummy, and still spends a few minutes playing in his cot before falling asleep.

Diet
Pretty good, had a little while when he wouldn't eat chicken though, but I know it's normal for toddlers to like foods one week and not the next. And he went and ate a chicken roast on Sunday. His favourite foods are sausages, Ready Brek and Petit Filous.

Routine
Still the same as what is was last month, naps are getting more regular though. But if he does something new this seems to unsettle him and it's harder for him to take a nap. Now I normally give him his lunch when he's showing he's hungry, then take him up stairs straight after read him a couple of stories and put him down in his cot to nap. Sometimes he sits and plays for an hour, but very rarely cries.

Health
Still no new teeth, he's been teething a little bit though. Otherwise he's been perfectly fine.

Clothes
Still in mostly 12-18 month clothes. But he's still fitting in 9-12 month trousers.

Likes
Throwing toys around, pulling CDs/DVDs/books off shelves, going in his kitchen cupboard, baths, his sleeping bag, eating, flash cards, walking, playing with stones, The Very Hungry Caterpillar book

Dislikes
Being told off, and not being allowed to do what he wants, being put back in his buggy when we're out after walking

Milestones
He's saying new words - ga (grass), te (tree), bin, gone, all gone, shoe, cot, more.

I got out Ben's pad of paper and wax crayons this week, the first thing he did was bit the top off a crayon! Still hasn't quite caught on with the drawing yet, will just keep trying.

He does love his flashcards that I bought for him though, so far we've done the alphabet and shapes. I've also bought him a couple of books, one of the alphabet and one of numbers to take out with us. He seems to like this a lot too, but we haven't looked at them too much.

Ben's First Time in a Paddling Pool

Whilst we were setting up for Mum and Dads surprise party Ben got to go in his new paddling pool (my sister bought it from Asda for £3), supervised by his Daddy. It didn't take very long for him to sit down (probably because it was really hot that day). He had great fun splashing around and got soaked!

His swimming costume and his matching jelly shoes are from Boots Mini Club.

Storing bottles & breast pump

As I plan on using the same bottles and breast pump when we have baby number 2, I wanted to make sure I store them correctly. But after a quick search on google I couldn't really find anything to help.

So this is how I'm doing it. I soaked all the bottles and parts and all the breast pump parts and milk storage containers in water and washing up liquid.

I air dried all the parts before sterilising  them. I then left them to dry whilst in the steriliser before putting them all in seal-able plastic bags and then back into the original box that I first bought them all in.

I have also kept the bottle teats, I know it is advised not to, but as Ben wasn't totally bottle fed, I plan to check them before we use them on the next baby. Will also be checking that all the bottles, parts and pump are okay to use again when we get them out ready to use, whenever that may be.

Mummy and Toddler July Favourites

I thought I'd try to do monthly favourite posts, although if things have changed much from month to month I won't bother doing them, so we'll see how it goes.

The first favourite of mine is actually blogging, I find it really enjoyable planning posts, writing them and taking photos, gives me something else to do whilst at home when Ben's napping.

Another of my favourites is watching Sport - moat recently the Commonwealth Games, even Ben enjoyed watching the gymnastics the other day!

I've been getting back into reading, starting with this book, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, which I have borrowed from my sister. I am trying something new, and saying no Internet after 10PM on Sun - Wed and not taking my tablet up to bed with me like I used to, and spending that time reading instead. Although it is hard when Steve is in bed watching TV and doesn't like me having the light on.

Ben's favourite thing to do right now is take the CD's off the shelf! Something which is very annoying to Mummy.

He also loves to open his own cupboard in the kitchen and take his things out, mainly his bowls.

His favourite toy is still his stacking cups, and he also loves his Vtech Toot Toot Drivers vehicles. Although they have been taken away until we go on holiday.

Another favourite of mine over the past month was seeing family members that I hadn't seen for ages at Mum and Dad's surprise party.

Beauty favourites wise I love Essence nail varnish in 106 Free Hugs and Maybellines BB cream for a light base, along with Maybellines The Rocket mascara in waterproof, as it stays put in this heat.