It's heating up, don't forget your pets!



Before they had a garden...

I'm one of those irritating people that complains when the weather is cold, wet and miserable but also when it gets too hot. Don't get me wrong I love a bit of sun, we've had some glorious weather over the past couple of weeks which has been fab. I just can't stand those sweltering summer nights, it's so uncomfortable! I'd rather be too cold than too hot. I have always thought if I feel uncomfortable with the heat, then Eliot will do too so I dress him minimally.
I think the same also applies for our pets. If you didn't already know we have two cats, Mimi and Coco. When we lived in London our flat was on the fourth floor so needless to say, they were indoor cats.
Since we've moved they've been curious about going outside and have enjoyed spending time in the garden especially when the weather has been good. I'm sure over the summer months they'll be keen to spend more of their time outdoors which has led me to consider how I can keep them safe in the hot weather. We don't have a cat flap or plans to put one in anytime soon, mainly because the doors that lead t the garden are glass and we don't want one on the front door. So, there may be times they will be outside longer than planned. I've thought about how they could stay shaded in this situation as there is little shade in our back garden. Our next door neighbours have four cats,  they have a cat box in their garden that a family member built for them. It's somewhere where their kitties can shelter come rain or shine. A cat box of some sort could be a possibility for our garden but we have lots of other jobs that need doing so it may not happen  in time for this summer!
With that in mind I've thought of some tips to help keep felines safe in the sun...

• Frequently change water bowls & ensure they are kept topped up with fresh water
• Leave a bowl of water outdoors in a shaded area
•  Make sure there is a shaded area in the garden, use cloth or similar materials to create somewhere if you have little or no shade
• I read that dampened towels are a good idea in extreme heat, rub the towel from head to tail over your cat to help cool them down.
• Dampened towels could also be left on the floor so cats can lay on them if they wish
• I've also read sunblock is a good idea to use on cats ears particularly if they have a fair coat
• If you need to travel with your cat in the car, ensure there is ventilation, water to hand and like dogs never leave them in a car alone
• Keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke. Even if your cat is indoors they can still be affected

Keeping me company during a 'pregnancy nap'

Have you got any tips? Argos pet insurance have some, just the read for pet owners looking for advice!

Are You Carbon Monoxide safe? & Giveaway CLOSED

When we lived in London our flat was completely powered by electricity and some solar power. In our new house we have a supply of both gas and electricity.

A few weeks ago my mum and I were discussing carbon monoxide detectors. My parents had one but needed a new one and I wanted to get one for our home. I've read and heard quite a lot about carbon monoxide poisoning in the past and want to ensure we are safe at home.

 Every year in the UK, more than 200 people go to hospital with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, and around 40 people die. Small children and the elderly are most at risk, CORGI HomePlan is campaigning for every home to get a carbon monoxide detector, so that they can keep their family safe. In the last three years, an estimated one in six homes inspected by the Gas Safe Register was found to have an unsafe gas appliance and one in eleven has an unsafe boiler.

Our boiler played up on Good Friday which meant we had to pay a small fortune for it to get repaired. We were also advised to get it serviced regularly.

CORGI are campaigning for all homes to install a CO detector. They have created a microsite to help families become more aware about the dangers of gas appliances in the home. http://corgi-homeplan-how-safe-is-your-home.org/ It's filled with advice and what to look out for if carbon monoxide poisoning could be affecting you. It's an easy reference resource for those of us unsure how to stay safe in the home and what to do if things do go wrong.

We now have a carbon monoxide detector at home, do you? If not CORGI are giving one away! Enter via the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our Weekend #1

I've read these posts on a few other blogs and I really like the idea of being able to read back over what you've done as a family over the weekend. I'm not sure I'll keep these posts up every weekend but here's my first one :)

On Saturday it was the other halves birthday. After a relaxed morning of opening presents and singing happy birthday we ventured to a country pub for lunch. 

I had a cheddar cheese ploughmans which was lush and sooo filling, I couldn't eat all of the cheese! The bread was fresh and crusty and all the bits went perfectly together! The OH had venison bouginon which he enjoyed and Eliot enjoyed chips & peas but wasn't as keen on the homemade chicken goujons!

Failed attempt at a family selfie

My boys

After lunch we headed to the shops and the OH treated himself to a chimnea for the garden which he is really quite excited about!

When we got home I packed Eliot's overnight bag as he stayed at my parents for the night so the OH & I could have some us time.

We took a walk over the fields at the back of the houses where we live to our nearest pub. It was the first night we've had out alone in a very long time! It was really nice to enjoy a few drinks and talk. Time together as a couple is really important but often difficult when you become parents.

There was a solo artist playing at the pub too so we got a bit of entertainment as well! 

The next day we had a cheeky  Mc Donald's breakfast, they always seem to taste good after being on the bevvies the previous night!

Later I headed to my parents to collect Eliot. He didn't seem to fussed to see me and was more interested in flicking through the Argos sale catalogue! 

We went for a walk to the park as it was a lovely but windy afternoon before waking back to my parents and playing before dinner.

Out on our walk

What did you get up to at the weekend?

You Know You Have Have A Toddler When...

Number 5

1. "No" accompanied by a head shake is a response to most things.
2. "No" also means "Yes".
3. Throwing tantrums anywhere & everywhere (especially in public) becomes a regular occurrence.
4. Crayons are for 'artwork' on the walls, floors and furniture. Not paper, silly mummy!
5. Peppa Pig & In The Night Garden become part of  'essential' daily viewing.
6. Laying in a field, road, on the floor at home or out (especially in public) is the done thing when your tired or mid-strop.
7. Walking/running/jumping in any direction apart from the way you need to go happens daily (especially in public).
8. Number 6 is usually followed by a tantrum.
9. You ignore those disapproving or looks of pity from the public when numbers 3,6 & 7 take place.
10. When things get really tough you use 'Peppa' and/or chocolate as a bribe.
11. EVERYTHING you say is repeated.
12. Particular foods are eaten one day then refused point blank the next.
13. Toys and books are there to be strewn all over the place, not really to be played with or looked at.
14. You dread changing a nappy (particularly number 2's) as all hell breaks loose.
15. Mud, stones, rubbish and anything else pretty gross is obviously fun to put in your mouth/get your hands in to/pick up.

These are just a few of the things that my darling toddler gets up to. I'm sure if you're a parent you can relate to some of these!

 

What would you add to my list?



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House Of Fraser-Timberland Review

We were recently lucky enough to be able to choose an item of  designer clothing from House Of Fraser this rather lovely Timberland long sleeved fleece cardigan.

I went for this as I was looking for something that would be warm but not a proper coat. I love the colour grey and the quirky elbow patches appealed to me. I wasn't sure what size to order as I've found a lot of clothes come up small on Eliot. At his one year check he was on the 98th percentile so that seems obvious but some clothing brands are more generous in their sizing. In the end I ordered age 3 to be on the safe side. If it was too big it wouldn't be a massive issue however if it was snug it wouldn't last long.

When it arrived I was impressed with the quality and how soft & cosy the fleece lining was inside. I really liked the wool print inside the hood with its' wintery pattern.

I think most toddler jackets I've purchased have had a zip fastening so it was nice to have a change with button fastening  which I also think compliments the overall look. Personally I prefer the ease of a zip fastening as I find buttons fiddly.

It turned out that I'd made the right choice with ordering age 3. The hood is on the large side but the rest of the cardigan fits Eliot pretty well.

When I picked this item from the House Of Fraser website it was reduced to around £29. It's no longer on the site but there are plenty of other half price pieces available! There is also a

Do you buy designer clothing for your tot?

*Disclaimer: We were sent this product for review purposes. All opinions are my own 

toy sale

An Eliot Update-21 Months

On Tenby Beach

It’s been a long time since I last wrote an update, in fact it was 4 months ago! So much has changed in that time!

General/Milestones

We have moved out of your first ever home which was in London, to Bedfordshire. Unfortunately it didn’t quite go as expected and there were lots of things mummy and daddy needed to get done in the house before we could all move in. So you stayed with me at Nana and Grandad’s. We are in the new house now and you’re very happy, you like climbing up and down the stairs and you have more space in your new bedroom.

You have changed so much, you look so much older, you’re taller and your speech and language is really coming on. Over the past month or so you have been saying so much more, copying words we say and putting two or three words together like ‘all gone’, ‘bye Coco cat’. It’s just utterly amazing watching your development but you’re changing way to quick. You also have your own little language, at the end of last year it became apparent anything that resembled a train was a ‘googaa’. Other words are ‘sauce’ for your basket of bath toys and ‘dyas’ which we still haven’t completely sussed out. You have started to count, we count together when we walk down the stairs and you sometimes call out numbers, not quite in order yet. You have a bit of a lisp when you say words with an 's', it may just be because you're still developing your words but I wonder if using your dummy (which you call doe-doe) has played a part.

You play by yourself more and enjoy pushing vehicles around and parking them next to each other, when we're out you demand to play with your 'car' and use my arm as a road! You also enjoy colouring and it appears as though your gong to be left handed like mummy.

You’re still very active and strong willed. Quite (very) defiant at times and have some whopping tantrums. You’ll throw yourself on the floor and really make quite a scene at times which isn’t always the best thing when we’re out and about!

It really is amazing seeing you grow and learn, we are so very proud of you and all of your achievements so far.

Unfortunately you’ve been quite poorly a couple of times this year. It’s the first time you’ve really been knocked off your feet which was really hard to see as we know you are a boy who doesn’t keep still. We took you to hospital the second time you were ill back in February as we were worried about a rash. Whist we were waiting to see a doctor you suffered a febrile convulsion which was very scary. The doctors said it happens a lot to young children but it was still very worrying and we hope you don’t have anymore.

We were lucky enough to go on a holiday to Wales at the beginning of March which was lovely and nice to getaway as a family. We went swimming and you adored it, so mummy is booking lessons for you to do once a week. Hopefully you’ll start them after Easter.

We all looked around a pre-school for you last week and thinking that it will be good for you to help develop your social skills. It will be for two afternoons a week when I am at work.

Enjoying the sand pit on an afternoon out

 Eating

For the first time the other day you told me what you wanted for dinner. I said I was going to make you something and you kept saying ‘pasta’.

Food wise you are definitely fussier and developed a taste for the foods that aren’t so great for you. Some days you will happily eat something, then the next time it’s served you downright refuse! You’re favourite food at the moment are pasta, cheese, raisins and anything (naughty) that is sweet.

You still enjoy your milk particularly in the mornings and evenings, often asking for it when you wake up.

Weight

I took you to the health visitor to be weighed and you’re now 15.9kg.

Clothes

You are still wearing some 18-24 month clothes but you are also wearing some 2-3 years aged bits. We took you to get your feet measured a couple of weeks ago and your feet are still growing at different rates, one is a 7 and the other a 6 and a half.

Sleeping

Apart from when you’ve been poorly, you’ve been sleeping really well through the night. You usually nap for an or two during the day but sometimes fight it. When you do, you become one cranky little boy! So I think you still need your day time nap for both our sakes!

Not looking happy here but you adore your big cousin Ella

Likes/Dislikes

• You love jumping in puddles no matte what footwear you are wearing
• Playing with vehicles, particularly buses.
• You love playing with your big cousin Ella
• You still love the cats, whenever we leave the house you say 'bye Coco cat' even though Coco spends the entire days hiding from you
• You prefer to be out rather than indoors and request to go to the park
• Hand dryers are still a big dislike, you say 'no dryer' whenever your nappy is changed when we are out
• Loud noises spook you, the fire alarm went off which really upset you
• Large animals seem to worry you, we saw some horses today & you began to cry, I guess because you're not used to seeing them