33 Weeks Pregnant

 I'm 33 + 5 weeks pregnant and the last three weeks have been a bit of a challenge, I'm currently been monitored for Obstetric Cholestasis which means weekly blood tests at the hospital and constantly being itchy, I have been given some creams which help for a bit but then the itching comes back, after constant use they also started blocking my pours up which in turn made me itchier, so I have thankfully found some lotions and oils that are currently helping which I was given for Christmas and my birthday.

The Welda nursing oil and Neal's Yard Mothers Balm has been my saviours and have really helped calm my itching. Unfortunately, the only way it will completely stop is when the baby has been born.

Other than being an itchy mess, nesting fully kicked in once Christmas was over and I got all the baby clothes out and gave them a wash ready for her arrival.

I actually really enjoyed folding up all her little baby grows and blankets. It was nice having a basket full of pinks and whites rather than the dull array of boys clothes that I am usually folding up on a daily basis.

I love crochet blankets and always lust after them when I see them on Etsy or up on Instagram, so for Christmas Jon bought me a little easy to follow baby blanket kit, which I was excited to start but worried it would end up like most of my other crochet, not very good and put back in the bag but so far I've been really impressed with my attempt. I can't wait to see it finished!

Along with getting all the baby clothes washed I went out and bought some nappies and bits to help me feel more prepared for her arrival.

I've decided I am going to be using Kit and Kin nappies as they are eco friendly and gentle on baby's skin. I'm not quite ready to jump back into cloth nappies straight away but I do think I will end up using them again, as I loved seeing Ru crawl around in his colourful nappies.

I'm also going to be using Welda baby products as they are all-natural and I know that they are good products, as I use the brand too.

I know they are in the higher price bracket but I do think spending a little on decent skincare due to most of the boys having sensitive skin I can guess this baby will be no different and eco-friendly products is my way of doing a bit to help the planet, I have sent so many nappies to the landfill thanks to the twins and Noah.

I have also purchased a few more items off my to-buy list and that is my changing bag and changing mat.

The changing back is from The Nest Planner and my changing mat is from Mabel and Fox.

I think the only thing left to buy off my list is my carrier and I will be buying that at the end of January.

Only 7 weeks to go!

A Mini Upcycling Project

 For the past few weeks after a strange dream, I had, I've been constantly making baby lists, of items that we need / things I want.

One of the big buys was going to be a changing unit/chest of drawers, I had seen a few I liked and even though pricey I decided it was needed and I just had to put up with spending a mini fortune on some new drawers, as I have nowhere else to store the baby's clothes.

Skip to last weekend when I had just successfully finished painting all the kitchen cupboards and was feeling pretty smug with myself, I saw someone had posted up on Facebook marketplace a cute set of vintage-looking drawers for free - not quite changing unit height but cute non the less!

Another little upcycling project for me to take on.

I decided I'd have them, I only had to drive down to the end of the road to pick them up to, so it was looking like a win-win situation.

I already had the paint which was leftover from my kitchen update and the drawers were free, so even if I didn't end up using them for the baby it wouldn't have cost me anything.

It took me a few days of painting, as I ended up doing three coats, just to make sure it was all even and I was over the moon with the results...

After

Before.

I'm really pleased with the end result and it fits in well in my room, as I have already used the grey paint on the bedside tables. Once it was in my room, I still couldn't bring myself to putting in all the baby's clothes as inside the drawers I still felt needed a little something. 

I'd hoovered them out and wiped them clean but still decided they needed a little something, I was going to 

buy some scented lining paper, but then decided even that wouldn't be enough to help me feel that I was able to put in brand new baby clothes in (snobby I know) so whilst in the bath, I had a bit of a brain wave and decided to buy some of that sticky back vinyl paper that people use to cover kitchen cupboards and units. 

So on Sunday, we popped to B&Q to purchase two rolls of the sticky back vinyl paper in a gloss white finish.

Once the kids were all settled down after lunch playing on their games I went upstairs to tackle the drawers.

It took a good hours work, and it's probably not one of neatest attempts of my work but it did the job I was hoping it would and the drawers are now all spotless and wipeable!

Once I'd finally finished lining the drawers I set about organising all the baby's clothes into the drawers.

 I feel nesting has well and truly begun!

Eventually, I will probably have to buy another set of drawers as I know these will fill up quickly and I do still need a changing unit but in total for the whole chest of drawers upcycle cost £9!!!

And because of that, I shall do a little happy dance!

**Paint used**

Grey - Frenchic Lazy range in spitfire

Pink - Frenchic Al Fresco in Dusky Blush.

The Baby Hamper Company Review

Not Your Standard Baby Gift

Recently I was sent an utterly gorgeous baby hamper from The Baby Hamper Company to review.

I hadn't seen much about them online before, so I wasn't too aware of what to expect, but after having a peak on the website I was more than excited about receiving a hamper from them. Everything looked so well planned and put together that I knew I would instantly love the hamper I was being sent.

I was sent the large baby girl hamper which retails at a very reasonable £40.00, I feel at this price it would make an excellent maternity leave present for a co-worker, or even a present for the mum at school who has just had a baby, if you're clubbing together it isn't going to leave you out of pocket at all and the receiver is going to be over the moon with their thoughtful present.

There are different sized hampers for all budgets and they are all carefully thought about and very nicely presented, so whatever hamper you end up treating someone to, you can rest assured that the receiver will be over the moon.

What's inside the hamper?

• Aden + Anais Dahlia Muslin square - single,
• Baby Bunting Grey and White Star print romper suit,
• Baby Bunting Grey Star print Knotted hat,
• Newborn Baby girls bodysuit, Blush pink, Hello World Print,
• Pebble Fairtrade Crochet Octopus in Pink.

I really love everything inside my box and I cannot wait to dress our little girl in her new goodies once she arrives.

Everything was presented nicely and it felt just like Christmas Day unwrapping it!

 If I had been given this as a present from a friend or relative I would have been over the moon to receive it.

All the clothes are of good quality and I know from previous experience that the Aden + Anais muslins are fantastic, Rupert had/has a large swaddle one from them and it is still going strong, he still takes it to bed every evening.

A Little Bit About The Baby Hamper Company.

The Baby Hamper Company is run by mother and daughter duo Chloe and Christine.

Chloe is a mum to one and Christine is mum to three.

After the birth of Chloe's little boy Harry back in 2011, they both realised there was a gap in the market for affordable unique and cool gifts that new mums really wanted.

And so it was that new mum Chloe, a design graduate and Christine, an owner of a successful building and development company set about filling that niche.

And the rest they say is history.

I am personally glad they set about filling that gap in the market and I am utterly impressed with my hamper!

My cousin is due this month and I already know what I'll be treating her and her bundle of joy too.

If you would like to see more of the hampers on offer, why not pop over to the website and have a look;

The Baby Hamper Company.

*I was gifted the hamper for free in return for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.