My Bare Knees Boy

Blondie Boy was invited to two weddings this month and I knew straight away I wanted him to wear a kilt. I started looking but they were either really poorly made or really expensive and I was getting frustrated until I found Bare Knees.

Libby, the kiltmaker and owner of Bare Knees was a solicitor but after having two wee boys, works from home making and selling custom made kilts. She originally started out intending to make adult kilts (and still does), but has found the demand is much higher for baby and toddler kilts.

Baby kilts are attached to a short sleeved onesie/vest and wraps around just like an adult kilt, but attaches with poppers rather than buckles. The kilts are made from proper tartan fabric (not printed cotton like some cheap baby velcro kilts) and are pleated perfectly in the back. Bareknees also makes makes and hires out toddler kilt packages.

Blondie Boy wore his kilt to a wedding in Edinburgh last Saturday and I can not tell you how many guests came up, commented on how cute he looked and asked where we got it. I loved seeing both my boys looking so handsome together in kilts.

My only critique would be that it would be nice if somehow the onesie could detach (it's sewn on to the back of the kilt) and be washed, but I'm no seamstress so I have no idea if such a thing is possible. Blondie Boy managed to have a bottle without spilling all over it, but I as babies tend to be messy, I think we got lucky. I plan on very carefully handwashing just the onesie (keeping the kilt out of the sink) if it starts to look a bit dirty.

I can't wait for him to wear it again this weekend! If you are in the market for a baby or child's kilt contact Libby at Bare Knees; most tartans are available and she even does a buy-back scheme so when your baby has outgrown their kilt, you can still keep them looking stylish! I can't recommend her enough!

Blondie received this product to review.

Save our Sleep!

STTN-it's what every new Mommy dreams of, right? It's what gets you through those early days of middle of the night feeds, one day, one glorious day they will sleep through the night.


Well it doesn't just happen that easy for everyone. We've been lucky so far that Blondie Boy started sleeping through the night as soon as we moved him into his own room. I know a lot of people though that aren't so lucky. If you aren't so lucky there are lots of books to turn to for advice.


I recently received a copy of "Save our Sleep" by Tizzie Hall. At first I thought, there wouldn't be much for us, but the book is way more than just sleep schedules. There is lots of information on weaning, including recipes and schedules as well.


I particularly found the information on travelling with a baby helpful. We're about to take a long trip and there is lots of helpful information on travelling, as well as helping the baby adjust when in a new timezone.


Are there any books that you've found particularly helpful for parenting advice? Do you have any top tips of your own?

Benefits of Babywearing

The Benefits of Babywearing
When I talked to a friend the other day about babywearing - she was completely confused as to what I meant. She thought perhaps I was suggesting that she use her little darling as a hat.


However, when renowned paediatrician, Dr William Sears invented the term babywearing in the 1980s, I’m fairly sure he meant it to mean "all the various types of baby slings", and not "wearing babies as a fashion accessory" (at least we hope so!)



In all fairness to the human race, all Dr Sears did was come up with the name for something that had been going on since... well, since the first human mummy stood up, looked around and said, “Now, where did I put Baby?”



Even before that, our simian ancestors did (and still do) carry their offspring in a variety of ways attached to the fur of different parts of their bodies.



Humans around the world have been carrying their offspring for several millennia before Phil and Ted - and anything that has been going for that long is subject to local diversity, so it’s not surprising to find a wide range of different baby carriers.



Of course, in "less developed" countries it is still regarded as the best way of getting your kids around before they can keep up, so you will find African, Asian and South American varieties. It even used to be popular in the “developed” west before the Georgian and Victorian aristocracy persuaded everyone that children should be kept as far away from their parents as possible, handing them to nannies to be genteelly wheeled around in their wonderful little perambulators.



As well as the name, Dr Sears came up with some other interesting facts, for instance, did you know that carrying your baby upright can reduce the effects of colic and reflux – definitely worth considering if you have a colicky baby (and if you do, you will try anything…I did!). Babies who are carried learn more quickly, as they spend their time being involved in your world, not just watching knees and feet - but participating; developing a brain that is learning to learn.



Some people suggest that having your baby in a sling will make him clingy. Exactly the opposite, actually. Your baby will become more emotionally secure and independent as he knows you are around as a safe base from which to explore.



Need I go on?



Well, if us mums are permitted a bit of selfishness, there are always the extra calories you burn by carrying your baby, and the way you can breastfeed discreetly, and the general snugly cuddles you both get to enjoy, which stimulate your new-mum hormones, and can help to reduce the likelihood and severity of post-natal depression. What do you do to get your baby off to sleep in a pram? You rock him and talk to him to simulate the motion and closeness of your own body.



Now who’s starting to look more “developed”?



There are a huge range of different baby slings around, and everyone has their own personal favourite, although some people switch between different styles.



My own favourite is the Mei Tai, which is basically a square of fabric with straps at each corner. Because of its simple design it can be used in a variety of different positions.



Simply put though, the bottom straps are tied around your waist, and the top straps go over your shoulders and wrap around you, and are then knotted, securely strapping your baby to your body.



So, are they easy to use? Surely they can’t be as convenient as a pushchair?



Yes, they are very easy - you can go up stairs, through narrow doorways or for a pleasant summer walk. And you don’t have to push an empty one round town when junior decides he would rather walk. Not only that, but they're light and fold up small - can you get a pushchair in your handbag? More importantly, can you afford a pushchair to go with every outfit!
But, your husband wouldn’t be seen dead in one? Well, men with babies are very attractive – remember that Athena poster; and Brad Pitt has carried baby Shiloh in one, so how can he possibly object?
Having said all that, the main benefit for me, at least to start with, was that I regained the use of my hands after months of trying to make lunch, hoover, iron and just about anything else you care to think of, all whilst holding on to my dear son. So, slings, carriers, mei tais, call them whatever you like, are starting to sound like a good idea, aren’t they?



I have to admit, I got in to babywearing almost through necessity rather than choice, but I love it now, and so does my now toddler son. The only difficulty now is choosing which fabric for the next one…





Claire Willis, is mum to two children, and the owner of SnugBaby
After the birth of her second son, she discovered babywearing and, decided to design and make her own brand of baby slings, which she now sells through her website, www.snugbaby.co.uk. SnugBaby baby carriers were recently shortlisted in the Outstanding New Product category at the Women On Their Way Awards.
She also runs “Get Your Hands Back” magazine and review website, which is aimed at promoting babywearing and its associated benefits in the UK. More information can be found at   http://www.getyourhandsback.co.uk/

Designer Discounts in the East End

I have a thing for cute baby clothes. I'm not talking about teddy bears or fluffy bunny cute, no I'm talking about baby clothes that fashionable and funky. I love dressing Blondie Boy in jeans and shirts and other stylish duds. What I don't love is paying a lot of money for something that is likely only going to fit him for a few weeks.

Cue Next Clearance; clothes that have been on sale at a higher price in Next stores or the catalog for 28 days or more. You'll get the best sale prices on things that are out of season, but they often have seasonal clothing, too.

I got Blondie Boy these two shirt and tie combinations for a grand total of £10! That's a savings of £16- SCORE! They are a size bigger than what he is wearing now, but I can't wait for him to wear them!

Next Clearance is located at Parkhead Forge Retail Park. They also carry men and women's clothing as well as home products.

Monkey Bizness

This weekend we visited the new softplay @ Xscape, Braehead and were really dissapointed!

Firstly it was VERY expensive! £5.95 for 2-3 year olds and for EACH adult it was a further £1.00 just to be there!!

The staff were all very uninterested. Young scruffy looking teenagers mostly! Not whom i'd put my trust on for good service or care of children. The young man on the front desk was on the phone when we arrived and actually scowled the whole time and "snatched" a pen from a wee boy who was leaning over the desk touching things.

Apon arriving in the centre I was reminded of a cage of monkeys at the zoo when they see the keeper coming with food! Wild!! (maybe thats where the name has come from?? Monkey Bizness??)

The food was expensive and very much FAST food with no homeliness about any of it.

The play area itself was OK. Nothing more.

The toddler section (which was full of teenagers I may add!) had ZERO supervision!
1 slide, a tiny ball pool, and a few soft climby bits. Very boring for any child who's steady on their feet and interested in "getting in about things" like my CJ.

All in all this place has every characteristic of a large national franchise. All about the money, none about the care!

Very dissapointing! Def won't be going back when there are places like Kidzworld in Glasgow and The Big Adventure in Linwood!

Bounce & Rhyme at the Bridge

Blondie Boy and I decided to go check out Bounce and Rhyme Time at The Bridge. Blondie Boy loves reading and singing so it seemed like a perfect fit! Plus it's free and was only a mile and a bit walk from our house.

There were lots of other Mommies and babies as well as some older toddlers and children, too. The session started with a "Hello" song to all the babies and then worked it's way through lots of nursery rhymes; the older children got to request their favorite songs.

Unfortunately for Blondie Boy I couldn't sing along to most of the songs-- some of them I'd never heard in my life (Wind the Bobbin up), some had different tunes (Baa Baa Black Sheep) and some had different words (Wheels on the Bus).

However, Blondie Boy seemed to enjoy himself and I was surprised that a 15 week old sat through the entire session without any fuss. He even attempted to play a musical instrument (a jingly-jangly rattle thing). After all the songs the older kids had a story read to them, which they seemed to enjoy.

I think we'll try it again, but maybe bring Dad next time since he'll be able to sing along!

Sea Life Centre, Loch Lomond

This week Isla and I visited the Sea Life Centre at Lomond Shores, Balloch, with a friend and her one year old boy.

The children really enjoyed their visit, particular favourites were the otters, the rock pools (Isla loved having the chance to touch the crabs and starfish), and the huge tank with sharks and the centre’s latest addition, a green turtle.

We managed to see the otters and the turtle being fed and the staff talks were really interesting – it helps that the staff are so enthusiastic and obviously love their job.

The only part of the centre we didn’t visit was the cinema as the children were a bit young for this. My son (almost 6) does enjoy the cinema though so its good for older children.

Even if you’re not going to eat in the centre its worth going up to the café level for the beautiful views of Loch Lomond.

Although if you walk in off the street the Sea Life Centre is quite pricey (£12 for an adult and £9 for children over 3) there are ways you can save a bit on admission fees. If you book open dated tickets online the prices are £7.75 for an adult and £4.75 for a child. You will often get money off vouchers (we used 50% off vouchers on our visit) and if you are likely to visit a lot you can buy an annual pass (around £30 for an adult and £25 for child). You can also hold your child’s birthday party at the centre from £12 per child.

When you visit you are helping marine conservation and when you hear that the shark tank alone contains creatures worth over £300,000 you begin to understand why it’s a bit pricey to visit! Tickets are valid all day so you can leave the centre and come back later.

There is ample parking at Lomond Shores, or you can get a train to Balloch station (from Queen Street) and the centre is a 5 minute walk from the station.