lambandbear, Author at Lamb & Bear

June 9, 2014 by lambandbear 4 Comments

THE LIEBSTER AWARDS

We were so excited to receive our Liebster Award nomination from the lovely Saskia over at Songs, Silliness & Such blog! Lamb & Bear has only been going since January this year, so we thought we would have a long wait before people started noticing us, but thank you Saskia, for our nomination, we are very grateful. (Massive appoligies for the delay on our answers, May was a tough month! Illness, illness, illness, then holiday with illness!)

Blogging is all about great content. Sharing your experiences, in our case, as new parents, and hoping others will appreciate and enjoy what you write about. I’m sure you are all aware of the Liebster Awards, but for those who don’t know, it’s an award given to blogs under a year old who are showing great promise. Nominating them for a Liebster Award is basically a way of giving them a pat on the back and saying ‘I like what you’re doing!’

So here are my answers.

1. When did you first start blogging? Vicky and I started Lamb & Bear in January this year.

2. What was the motivation behind your blog? I’m a very sociable person, and since becoming a first time mum, (and not finding it that easy) I found myself talking to a lot of other mums about my struggles and achievements. I remember the moment I thought to myself “I need to start blogging”. I had given a new mummy friend some advice on our bedtime routine, which we had found extremely successful, as she was struggling to get her baby to sleep. I told her our routine was 6 pm bath, bottle, bed every night and to her surprise it worked instantly. I felt so proud I had managed to help another first time mum, knowing one day it will be me seeking the advice (which currently is for weaning! I HATE WEANING.) So after mentioning to Vicky, she suggested we write a blog together (she loves a bit of social media). Two heads are better than one and all that.

3. What is your greatest blog achievement so far? For me it’s two things. Firstly, the great response we’ve had from brands we work with. We have had so many compliments on the look of our blog and how we write our posts. Sometimes I’m a little star struck when very successful brands say they want to work with us. Us? Really? WOW. Secondly, it’s the response I’ve had from my friends. A couple in particular (Emma & Suzy – love you girls), who don’t have children, have told me they read all of my posts and find them fascinating. They are learning everything they need to know before it’s their turn to wipe up sick and change nappies! It makes me feel very proud about the work we put into the blog.

4. What is your greatest life achievement so far? Do you know what, obviously giving birth and raising a healthy baby boy is my biggest achievement, but this will always be my biggest achievement, as will any other children I may have in the future. But on top of that, juggling my career as a designer and being the ‘perfect’ wife (as of December this year!) has to be included. I think what i’m trying to say is, i’m extremely proud of my motivation. As hard as being a parent can be, I haven’t given up on my other goals in life, and have stuck to my career and work hard at keeping my relationship strong; these are all ‘great life achievements’.

5. How does blogging make you feel? Blogging is my therapy. I genuinely mean that. It’s my escape from my day to day life. I hide away in a little blog bubble and write down my thoughts. It really helps with my stress levels, which are pretty high at the moment, yep, you guessed it, because of my struggles with weaning. It also makes me realise how well i’m doing. I’ve been quite negative recently, (haven’t I Vicky), so reflecting on what I’m experiencing as a mother puts everything into perspective. Alex, you’re doing fine.

6. What do you hope to gain from blogging? Just to be noticed as a great blogger. Between us, Vicky and I just want to share our experiences, in the hope we help other mums to be, or new parents. Anything else thrown our way is a bonus.

7. What’s the one thing you wish you had more of? (Blog views, bloglovin followers, comments, sponsors, etc?) Hmmmm that’s a tough one. I think i’ll have to say comments. We don’t get many comments on our blog, but when we do, I get such a sense of achievement. Someone has gone out of their way to read our post, and then taken the time to comment. As a new blogger that’s what I love the most.

8. Which aspect of blogging do you find most difficult? Organisation! No doubt about it. Making sure I stick to my schedule and don’t get tempted by the soaps or my friends boxset.

9. Which aspect of blogging do you find most rewarding? That’s easy. Everything. From the quality of my writing and the creativity of the photos I take, to comments and twitter followers, everything is rewarding. I just love blogging.

10. What do you love most about being a parent? Making Jaxson smile.

11. How many children would you like ideally? I feel blessed to have one healthy baby. But I would definitely like more. I would love a girl, one of each would be ideal, but if I have a boy next, I may be tempted to try for a girl one more time 😉 You never know, I could end up like Victoria Beckham…. only minus the figure and the money.

And here are our questions..

1. How old were you when you found out you were pregnant, and do you feel it was the right age for you?

2. What made you start blogging?

3. What social media sites do you find most useful for mummy blogging?

4. What are your thoughts on product reviewing? Do you think it’s OK for bloggers to ask for freebies?

5. What’s the one bit of advice you would give to a first time mummy (or daddy!)?

And our nomination is…. Hayley from Hayley’s Little Things

Over to you Hayley 🙂

June 9, 2014 by lambandbear Leave a Comment

Little Lambs 1st Haircut

I recently took Jaxson to my hairdresser for his first proper haircut. His hair was out of control! I kept putting it off because I wanted to grow his hair long like his cousin, who really suits the surfer dude look, but it was just so messy and irritating him. Plus, this hot weather was giving him a very sweaty head!

Unfortunately daddy thought he might give it a go before I had chance to take Lamb to the salon… Here are the results. A very wonky fringe!! I was not amused.

I took him to Aimez-Vous where I have my hair done. Charlene did a fab job and managed to cut around his wriggling! What a pro 🙂

I’m so pleased with the results. He’s even cuter than ever, which I didn’t think was possible!

Advice for those taking their baby for a first haircut. Be armed with plenty of distractions! Toys (luckily Charlene had toys at the salon), snacks, juice and most importantly your phone! Lamb was happily distracted watching his fave show Yo Gabba Gabba on my iPhone.

Let me know how your baby’s first hair cut goes!

Alex x

May 11, 2014 by lambandbear 3 Comments

My Healthy Spaghetti Bolognese

Since I was very young, in nursery in fact, Spaghetti Bolognese has been my favourite. I don’t remember much from when I was a kid, my memory seems to have wiped clear from the age of 10 and earlier, but one memory I do have is a day at nursery. We were given paper plates and asked to make our favouite food from lots of crafty bits, like tissue paper and wool. So off the kids went making chips and fish fingers. But not me. I made spaghetti bolognese! Lots of white wool glued to the paper plate, with scrunched up balls of brown tissue paper for the bolognese! Yum! (Writing this is making me realise how different Jaxson is to me, he would would probably have an empty plate as he doesn’t eat!)

As I’ve said in a previous post, I follow the Weight Watchers diet, so a lot of my meals have been adapted to their recipes, and now I try to cook healthy meals even if I’m not watching my weight. So here is my healthy spag bol – tasty and healthy! Enjoy!

Healthy Spaghetti Bolognese

Start by spraying your pan with low calorie cooking spray (this is important as 1 teaspoon of cooking oil is 1 point!) Then add 2 cloves of crushed garlic (if you are like me and love garlic, use 3 cloves).

Next finely chop 1 whole onion. I use a small onion as I don’t like too much, but this depends on how much mince you are using. If cooking for a family of four, I would use a large onion, but if it’s only for 2, use a small onion. Add to the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until soft.

Add the mince to the onion and garlic and cook on a medium heat until brown. Remember this is a healthy recipe so make sure you use extra lean mince! If you can’t find extra lean, lean will do. Or if you want to be super healthy, why not try quorn mince? At this point you can add some seasoning, like salt and pepper, and a few mixed herbs if you like a bit of extra flavour.

Once the mince is cooked, I always drain off any excess fat, even with extra lean you will still need to do this. At the point I start cooking the spaghetti. To be super healthy I suggest using brown pasta. I don’t think enough people eat whole wheat products. Rice, pasta, even bread. It’s healthy and keeps you fuller for longer, so should hopefully prevent snacking between meals!

Next you need to add 1 can of chopped tomatoes. I cook these for a few minutes until they are soft and mushy so I can mix them into the mince better. Again, depending on how many people you are cooking for, you may need to add 2 cans, but it’s all down to your preference. If you haven’t added your seasoning yet. Now is the time.

I’m a massive fan of mushrooms. I will put them in anything. Love, love, love. So I will literally use a whole box of mushrooms in this recipe. Obviously that might be a bit excessive to other people. But in my opinion, you are bulking out your meal with a healthy ingredient! If you are super hungry (like I always am) you can eat more with little added calories! Perfect!

Once the mushrooms have been sliced and added to the mince, you can get out the tomato puree and beef stock. These are really important ingredients for this recipe. If you don’t add them you meal will just taste of beef. To add these you should use tablespoons. Probably 2 or 3 table spoons of tomato puree (again depends on your taste) and 2 tablespoons of beef stock.

This final ingredient is optional. Balsamic vinegar. YUM. I love it. Just add a splash for a bit of extra flavour, but like I said, it’s optional. The alternative to this, which might be more appealing is Worcestershire sauce. This gives the same affect to the dish. I use both depending what I’ve got in my cupboard.

Remember, this recipe is based on following a Weight Watchers diet, but I do not count points, so if you are following the points system you will need to measure your ingredients to how many points you want to eat. If you are following the Filling & Healthy diet, just serve and enjoy!

Alex x

May 8, 2014 by lambandbear Leave a Comment

First day at nursery – what’s in Lamb’s changing bag?

Today is Lambs first day at nursery. He’s not there for a full day, next week he will be there 9-5, today is a settling in day and we left him from 9 am until 2 pm, (his first time being left alone with the lovely ladies there). He’s only going one day a week, and we can actually manage without sending him at all, but Jaxson is a very sociable baby, he loves being with other children and has so much fun at baby groups. If you have read my posts on weaning, you will know I am really struggling to get him to eat. So we are hoping a day at nursery watching the little ones munch on some yummy food, will inspire him to have a taste. I really have everything crossed this happens!

This morning was a bit of a panic. It’s my fault, Daddy Lamb did tell me to pack Jaxsons bag last night, but I was too busy blogging and silly enough to think I’d have time this morning… oops. So I thought it might be useful to all you new mums who might be putting your little ones into nursery, to write a little checklist of what I put in his changing bag, so you can avoid an early morning panic like mine!

I decided to use our black Boots changing bag to send him to nursery with. This bag if free to anyone who signs up to the boots parenting club, and trust me, it’s a really useful bag to have! And free! It’s smaller than most changing bags, but still fits a lot inside, so for a baby Jaxsons age (who doesn’t need as much stuff), it’s the perfect size. Plus when Daddy Lamb picks him up, he can carry this ‘manly’ bag, rather than my Yu mmy Mummy one!

So here is what I put in his bag…

1. Wipes. The nursery provides them, but I always like to keep some in his bag just in case.

2. Nappies. Lots of nappies. In fact, the nursery have a changing tray for each child, so ask you to keep plenty there so you don’t have to worry.

3. Nappy cream. For those delicate little bums.

4. Teething Granules. Nelsons Teethas are amazing. They really work.

5. Calpol. Just in case your little one gets a temperature or is feeling a little under the weather.

6. Bonjela. For those nasty toothies.

7. Lots of spare clothes. You never know how messy those little monsters will get. Paint. Mud. Food. I could go on.

8. Bibs & Socks. Again, you never know how many they will need of these.

9. Comforter. The chances are, your little one will get a bit sad when you leave, and may be a bit unsure of their surroundings. Make sure they have their fave toy to cheer them up. Lamb loves his doggy.

10. Sun Lotion. I actually didn’t put this in his bag, because the nursery provides it. Check with your nursery, in case you need to pop some in the changing bag.

Well, that’s everything. Have I missed anything? (I usually do!)

Alex x

May 7, 2014 by lambandbear 16 Comments

How I lost my baby weight

Here I am, 4 months after giving birth. With the post baby weight on in full swing. (This photo is so cringe).

When I fell pregnant I weighed 10 stone. A few weeks after labour I weighed 12 1/2 stone. Ouch. But I had a trick up my sleeve. And that trick is called Weight Watchers.

The year before I fell pregnant I attended Weight Watchers classes with my mum. We both suffer with an under-active thyroid, so struggle with our weight and have to work hard at maintaining it. When I was a teenager I was naturally thin. I’ve always had a tiny waist and flat stomach (but big hips & pear shaped). My mum would warn me as I approached my late teens to watch what I was eating, but of course, I was a stubborn teenager and didn’t listen. Next thing I knew I was gaining weight, and quickly. I went to the doctors to find out why. I told them about my mums thyroid problem, but they said it wasn’t hereditary (I don’t believe this at all). They tested me anyway, and unfortunately I was diagnosed with the same problem. I was extremely relieved to have a reason for my weight gain, but was obviously worried that I would have this illness for the rest of my life. I take medication to keep my thyroxine levels normal, which helps steady my weight, not completely, but helps.

I remember the first time I reached my goal weight with Weight Watchers, I was so proud. I looked like me again! So when I fell pregnant a year later, I actually wasn’t that worried about gaining weight! I knew whatever weight I gained after pregnancy, I would lose with the same eating plan. And yes, I have done it!

There are plenty of diets out there, but Weight Watchers is what works for me. I don’t have the most varied palette, but I wouldn’t say I’m fussy. I’m definitely a creature of habit when it comes to eating. I tend to have the same meal a couple of times a week, mostly for convenience.

So how did I do it?

Planning, planning and more planning. It’s as simple as that. I planned my meals everyday so I knew how many points I was eating. The point system often puts people off trying Weight Watchers, they think it’s too complicated and hard work. Well yes, it takes a little time to get used to eating by numbers, but if you’re not willing to try, then maybe you’re not 100% committed to losing the weight? You definitely shouldn’t start something like Weight Watchers, unless you are ready to stick to the new eating plan. If you cut corners, it simply doesn’t work.

Planning is the most important part of weight loss, that, and cutting out fat and sugar! Seriously, just swap your Coke to Diet Coke, and semi-skimmed milk to skimmed milk, and you are already on your way to losing weight. (Helps if you’re slightly addicted to Diet Coke like Vicky and I). Buy extra lean meat and reduced fat products and you really will notice a difference.

A typical day: examples

Breakfast

Omelette (2 eggs plus one extra white) with mushrooms, ham, and 50% reduced fat cheddar.
Grilled bacon medalions, reduced fat sausages, poached eggs, grilled mushrooms and low calorie bread.
Fat free yoghurt and fruit.

Lunch

Ham & cheese sandwich (wafer thin ham, 50% reduced fat cheddar, low calorie bread).
Salad with grilled chicken and low fat dressing.
Jacket potato (small) with low fat cottage cheese and wafer thin ham.

Dinner

Spaghetti Bolognese (Weight Watchers recipe) with brown pasta.
Roast Dinner – grilled chicken, 4 small new potatoes and plenty of veggies.
Thai green curry using low fat coconut milk and thai paste.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel

After having a baby it can be really easy to settle into your daily routine that totally excludes yourself. I’m guilty of this. My other half constantly has to remind me to eat breakfast and even drink a glass of water! You end up snacking around nappy changes and rarely finish a decent meal. But once you get going, it’s really easy to fit your diet around your busy schedule, with a bit of planning. Use your evenings to plan what you will eat the next day. If your baby is eating solids, you can plan meals that you can both eat together.

It took me 4 months to lose 2 1/2 stone and get to my pre-baby weight. And that is with no exercise (other than running around after Lamb of course). With a combination of meal planning, exercise, and mummy duties, you can absolutely lose that bit of added weight from having a baby. I’m proof of that!