Christmas Eve Basket 2015

14.12.15


Christmas Eve baskets seem to be the big thing this year! We did one for Indiana last year but obviously she was only one, so didn't really understand. This year she knows who Father Christmas is, understands presents and generally has much more of an understanding. So of course we had to continue the tradition, but this time add in some bits for Parker too!

We didn't want to go overboard as we know both of them will be spoilt on Christmas day, so just added some little treats we can all enjoy on the day. We went with something they could wear, read, watch, eat and a little extra treat to enjoy too. The basket itself is from eBay as I thought it would be useful for around the house throughout the year too. The ribbon I added myself to make it festive, and again was from eBay.


Firstly I added this cute little treat tray, for Indie to leave out for Father Christmas. I've seen beautiful personalised plates, but with the kids both being so small still I didn't want to risk it just yet haha. This one was from The Range and was really cheap. Also how cute are the little knitted characters?!


Of course they need new Christmas pjs! I was worried I wasn't going to be able to find matching ones, as you don't get many unisex items of clothing these days (what's with all the pink and blue?!). I found these gorgeous ones in Tesco and they were a bargain £6 each. I love that they'll be matching and in such cute pyjamas too.


Just like last year we got them each a book to read and then a Christmas film for us all to enjoy. I saw these 'Santa is coming to...' books and had to get one. They come personalised for your town and the story includes local areas, attractions and parks. The illustrations are beautiful, and the writing is big enough that in years to come Indiana can help us read it.

I love the 'That's Not My...' series so of course had to get another addition for Parker. These books are great for babies and toddlers, and I think both of them will enjoy this one. I got the penguin version last year, so went for polar bear this year! Both are from Amazon really cheap (we get most of our books from there).

I did buy two films for us to watch this year, but Elf managed to find it's way into the DVD player already haha. We also got Arthur Christmas for us all to watch. We first saw it last year and it's a lovely family film, complete with adult jokes which makes it fun for everyone! Again this is from Amazon for a couple of pounds.


As a little extra treat I added a couple of little presents that they can play with. For Indiana's first Christmas she was only 4 weeks old, so this rattle is the only thing we got her! It's now in her special memory box, so I wanted one for Parker too. He loves grabbing things now so this should Santa rattle should be fun for him. I got it in Mothercare's sale alongside a 'My First Christmas' vest for only £6.

For Indiana we got her this Toybox reindeer figure from ELC/Mothercare. She's obsessed with these toys and has quite a collection now. She loves role-playing with them - making them talk, go to sleep, play together, etc. They're great for her imagination and for only £4 I couldn't resist this reindeer to go with her Father Christmas. 


The last bits are little treats for both of us and Indiana to enjoy with the film. I got the idea for the 'Snowman Soup' hot chocolate cones from Sophie at Mumology. They're basically just hot chocolate, marshmallows and chocolate drops in the shape of a reindeer - how cute right?! These are from eBay and aren't that costly (I would have made my own if I had the time haha).

Of course no Christmas would be complete without chocolate coins, so I just had to throw these in too! We actually got these for Indiana when we went for breakfast with Father Christmas. I saved them and added them to the basket instead. I'm sure they're easily available for about 50p though.


Have you done a Christmas Eve basket? What have/would you put in yours?

Indiana's 2 Year Update

12.12.15


Can you believe it, our little girl is 2 years old! It's crazy to think I started this blog with her 3 month update, and now I'm writing about her turning 2... time sure does fly. So Indie turned 2 on the 26th November 2015. We celebrated the day as a four, with birthday cake for breakfast, presents, soft play and a yummy lunch out - perfect for us!

Where we live we don't have 2 year checks until they're 2 years 3 months old, so unfortunately I don't have any stats (but I'll try to remember to add them when I get them!). She is however in 1.5 - 2 year clothing, has size 5 feet and is still pretty short haha. She still has 20 teeth - which according to the dentist are perfect.

Things she loves at two are: colouring, stickers, puzzles, her baby and pushchair, dancing, singing, role play, Bing, Minions, bananas, chicken, her Toddlebike2, jumping, running, playing with her little friends at nursery, water play, playdoh, and lots lots more.


Indiana loves to talk, and chats away constantly now. You can have a conversation with her and understand a lot of the words, and she's been making sentences for a while. We love hearing her little voice develop; even if it's when she's shouting 'stop it' or screaming 'noooo!' at you haha. Her current favourite is Christmas! She's even started singing which is simply THE cutest thing in the World (although I do wish she'd move on from twinkle twinkle haha).

Her eating has definitely improved, which I'm hoping will continue. She's no longer in her highchair and eats like a big girl at her little table. She's also trying more food and refusing less which I'm SO happy about. She does seem to eat more things at nursery than at home though, which is really strange. Jack even witnessed her eating cucumber and asking for more - something she would turn her nose up at at home!



Sleep wise we have always been blessed with an amazing sleeper. Indie sleeps 7-7 with a nap after her lunch, usually between 1-3. She loves her toddler bed and has taken to climbing in with as many of her toys as possible - currently it's bunny, minion, Bing and her slumber hippo. She's now sharing her room with Parker which has gone amazingly well (she doesn't even stir when he wakes in the night).

She is such a loving, cheeky, bubbly little madam. She has the dirtiest laugh which is simply infectious and she has us in stitches a lot! She does have quite the temper on her though and does love to get her own way. The strops can be pretty intense haha, but that's just a two year old for you! Most of the time though she's an absolute delight and I couldn't be any prouder of my little girl.

Here's to the next year, and more adventures baby girl, mummy and daddy love you very much!

Parker's 4 Month Update

8.12.15



So I'm terrible at getting these up on time now, but Parker is 4 months old (he turned 4 months on the 4th December). I'm also a rubbish mummy and haven't had Parker weighed this month either - but I'll try and update this when I do! I do know that he is in 3-6 month clothing, and wearing size 3 nappies though.

Feeding wise Parker is all over the place at the moment, thanks to the God-awful 4th leap, and the 4 month sleep regression! Both us said we couldn't ever remember Indie being like this, but according to her update, she was exactly the same haha. He's roughly taking 6 bottles a day of anything between 4-7oz in each. We're still on the Comfort milk, but hoping to try and wean him off this soon, as his colic doesn't seem to be a problem anymore. He goes through stages of wanting milk every 2 hours, and then only taking a few ounces too.

As I mentioned we're well into the 4 month sleep regression. Sleep and naps have been just a bit rubbish really. Just when he was starting to sleep through the night, we're back to frequent wake ups and he fights going to sleep.

Naps are also tricky, and if you don't get him down at just the right moment you've got no chance of getting him to sleep without lots of work haha. I do follow a routine with him though and try to get him down for a nap 2 hours after he wakes, which works well for us. He's also no longer in his moses basket in our room.This big boy now sleeps in his cot, sharing a room with Indiana - I'd love to have him still in with us, but he is just so so long his moses basket was too small, and his cot won't fit in our bedroom!



Once again The Wonder Weeks app has been spot on for us. The 4th leap is most definitely the hardest so far - I say so far as I know how bloomin' hard the next ones are haha - and has been very testing. Parker is a very fussy and clingy baby anyway, but with this leap he wants constant attention and cuddles. I love doing this on my days when Indie is at nursery, but it's just impossible when she's home which makes things tough.

Between the fussing though Parker is such a happy, cheeky little boy. He gives the biggest smiles and giggles with delight when you play with him. He can grab and put toys to his mouth and learnt to roll front to back this month. He's started doing mini pushups and bringing his knees up under his bum in preparation for crawling; honestly these milestones are just as amazing the second time! 

Parker is such a mummy's boy already haha. Whenever he's on Jack's lap he looks around for me, and gives me the biggest smiles. I love it as Indiana has always been a daddy's girl! He pretty much loves attention from anyone though - although strangely he really doesn't like cuddling to sleep anymore, and wants to be left alone when he's sleepy.




He's really growing and changing so much. He's most definitely found his voice and can communicate with more than just cries now - he squeals and shouts a lot haha. Tummy time is improving although he still pretty much hates it! He's chubbed out which you can probably tell, and I think he's finally starting to look like his big sister Indiana. Also this boy has THE strongest legs I've ever seen! When you hold him he just wants to stand and bounce haha, I think this may be a sign of things to come.