The TotSeat first struck me as one of those products that sounds like a great idea but you wonder “would I ever really use it ?”….the answer is a loud and definitive YES! What a fantastic, practical and useful invention.  I have a highchair that I love and a portable pod seat for Harvey.  Each set of grandparents also has a highchair and I have still managed to use the TotSeat 5 times in 4 weeks!

No chair has proved too difficult a challenge:

Chair 1: Waiting Room at specialists office:  The carpeted Oncologist’s rooms are  not a welcoming place for ‘Mr Hungry  and Loud.’  I could see the wary glances from the other patients thinking ‘how is she going to do this ?’.  I was a trifle smug when I assembled TotSeat and proceeded to feed the beast with no fuss. Ha!

Chair 2: BBQ around the campfire at night:  Scenario:  Huge bonfire, you’re the only people with a baby, kids running around in the dark with flaming sticks and discarded paper plates offering a buffet of unsuitable leftovers.  Cue: TotSeat.  Harvey had a high backed outdoor chair to himself where he sat happily at our level waving a chicken drumstick around like Bambam whilst his mother appeared cool, calm and collected with her glass of winethankyouverymuch.

Chair 3: A general assortment of friends houses that do not have babies:  It’s a great feeling to be so self-sufficient in someone’s home that isn’t child-friendly.   Not having to shift a single item of furniture to accommodate your crawler or attempt to hold them on your lap whilst feeding must make those couples clucky???

Chair 4: The bar stools in my own house:  I have a fantastic mothers group of five great women that meet weekly at each others homes.  For some reason we decide to always do this at 11am which means five 11 month olds are all wanting to sit in the highchair at once.   TotSeat on my barstools pushed up against the bench…simple.

Chair 5: Pizza Nights of the Round Table:  This is a jazzed up name for sitting around the dining table eating pizza.  Harvey sat in the TotSeat eating everyone’s crusts and got to stay up much later than usual as he was so well behaved.  Babies just love to be doing what your doing and the TotSeat makes them feel equal and included = happier baby.

There is so much more I could write but I have to emphasize that the TotSeat is a must-have item and/or a fantastic gift.  It has easily fitted each different chair that I have tried and comes with a cumberbund for chairs that have a gap at the back.  It’s very light and folds into a small pouch for your handbag/car/pram/pocket/manbag.  Don’t worry about the funky fabric (mine is denim) getting dirty; just throw it into the washing machine.  Using it is simple; adjust the length and then clip at the back. Done.

There really is 101 uses and I also can’t wait to take it on our next holiday.  As parents we can use anything that helps us get out and about easily without having to hold onto a squirming baby during a meal, whilst waiting or if we’re lucky enough to be socializing!  TotSeat is now a handbag staple up there with wallet, wipes and a trusty lipbalm:)

When you are almost two, you don’t need to carry a lot of stuff around anymore.  OK, maybe a few spare nappies and a pack of wipes.  And maybe a bib.  And maybe a no-spill cup or water bottle.  And maybe some snacks.  Oh, and maybe a toy.  Or two.  And a book.

And when you are almost two, you are also trying to be independent.   If, then, there was a backpack that was cute, was just big enough for everything you need to carry, and had padded adjustable straps to make carrying it comfortable, you’d just have to have it, wouldn’t you?  When the clever people at Skip Hop designed their range of kid’s backpacks, it seems that’s exactly what the came up with.

There was great excitement when we opened our Monkey Zoo Pack - with such an adorable monkey face, you’d be hard pressed to find a cuter bag for your little one.  With tactile corduroy ears and cute banana zip pulls (just big enough for little hands to use) this little backpack has made quite the impression on our almost two year old Charlie, who insists on carrying his ‘monkey’ everywhere.  A mesh pocket on the side for easy access to a water bottle, enough room inside for everything a little kid requires, an insulated pocket, easy clean surfaces and quality manufacturing mean that Charlie will be toting this around for quite some time yet.

And if you just happen to need more than one adorable backpack in your life, well you’re in luck because as well as Monkey, there is also Penguin, Mouse, Owl and Dog to choose from.  Good luck choosing just one! Check out the Skip Hop Monkey Zoo Back Pack here…

The last time my cousin came over to visit Wolf and I, the first thing she said as she entered our apartment was: ‘Gee. It looks like a toy box exploded in here.’ And that was after I’d made the effort to clean. Alas, as time goes on I think we parents of young children allow our idea of ‘tidiness’ to expand along with our accumulation of stuff.

Up and till recently we had been using an old plastic bedside table on castors for the toys that live in the lounge room. This was fine in the early months when toys were limited to squeakers and rattles, but over the last year and a bit Wolf has accumulated enough stuff to rival my collection of junk. With only a two bedroom apartment and only as much storage space as we manage to carve out of the walls, this could lead to some sort of ‘dangerous hoarding’ expose on A Current Affair. Plastic toy bins and buckets have been added to try and keep track of some of Wolf’s smaller toys, and even the basket in Wolf’s walker was employed as the semi-permanent home for a few things.

When our large Dwell Studio storage bin arrived in the post, I admit I was slightly disappointed. How would something so flat and compact fit all of Wolf’s things? However, unfolding the storage bin, we found it so large that we could actually sit in it, without taking up much precious floor space. Every one of Wolf’s toys, including the all the small buckets and boxes we had also been using, fit in the storage bin with room for even more!

The great thing about fabric storage as opposed to plastic, is that it has the ability to expand. You don’t have to try and fit all the odd shaped toys in exactly right; everything can be tossed in and the box can accommodate it. Dwell Studio storage bins are made of heavy duty coated cotton canvas, and are Phthalate free and PVC free, just like you’d expect, allowing the bin to be both soft and strong, but also easy to clean. The strong canvas handles make the storage bin very easy to lift and move around the apartment which is great if you’re not the most muscular of parents or just exhausted but unable to let yourself stop tidying.

Now I want more DwellStudio Storage bins for all over the apartment! I’m thinking one for dirty laundry, one for the bathroom for folded towels, another in Wolf’s room for nappies. So many possibilities, and so many prints to choose from. I do love the chocolate dot print with it’s neutral tones; but it would look great in the company of the green and blue owl pattern and the pretty sparrow print. You can tell the credit card is in my hand.

Check out the range of DwellStudio storage bins here…

Get the towels, suction down the bath seat, kneel on the hard tiles and send your back into spasm as you lift out a slippery, wet baby. This is the worst part of our giant bath tub.

I am firmly of the opinion that bath time is baby and Daddy time, so was horrified to discover, on a night where I had to do the bathing, just how impossible and back breaking it is to transfer our chubby little gentleman in and out. Too little to sit by himself in such a big tub, Alex tolerated being placed in his bath seat, sliding down and wedging himself against the hard plastic, in what can only be described as an eye watering position for a boy! None of us found bath time a particularly comfortable experience.

I already feel a little like an environmental terrorist with the amount of nappies I go through each day, so the sheer volume of water it took to give Alex his nightly bath just didn’t sit right with me. His original baby bath had long been banished to the garage where it now gathers dust. Being too shallow, too short and without a drain, it simply wasn’t going to solve our bath problem. I needed a bath that, after the 30 minutes it was in use, could be packed away for the remaining 23.5hrs!

Just as I was seriously considering the kitchen sink as an alternate bathing location, the Flexi Bath came into my life and has saved Alex from evenings spent as part of the washing up! Designed with consideration for the environment, health and safety, Flexi Bath is made from plastics free from BPA’s, PVC and phthalates. It’s soft and pliable to the touch, yet, when filled, holds it shape and is remarkably strong. At 66cms long, 38cm wide and 24cm high, it is the perfect size for most bathroom vanities. Visually, it’s clean and simple. Even the drain hole has been given the designer touch, shaped like a flower. Easy for grown up hands to put in, but hard for inquisitive little fingers to pull out. I realise I’m getting excited about a drain hole here, but it’s so efficient! Large enough that the bathwater drains easily and quickly, ensuring the after bath routine is completed as quickly as possible. Folding is as simple as flattening a cardboard box, just press and collapse. In under 10 minutes, the bathroom is back to it’s sleek, Zen best.

More than just a baby bath, in summer it will be a great outdoor water play area, and, when he’s too big for it, a place to store toys. I have a feeling it will also be utilised as a nice, deep foot bath for my tired little feet.

From the moment we lowered Alex into the Flexi Bath, it was apparent that our bath time nightmares were over. A huge smile, and I’m sure a feeling of relief, swept over him and he splashed and explored his new space with glee. He could sit unrestricted and enjoy the eye level company of his Dad, who, un-hunched, could splash and play right along with him. It may only be 30 minutes a day, but bath time is such a special father-son time. Enjoy it.

Check out the sexy Flexi bath here…

I have lost count of the number of bibs I’ve bought since Grace was born.  I seem to be constantly on the look for that elusive, perfect one. The issues I’ve encountered with bibs are many and varied.  Everything from velcro losing its stickiness, being too thin to absorb mess, looking awful once washed and not to mention naff pictures and slogans. As one of my friends said the other week in mothers group; “Why can’t you buy a nice plain bib that does what it’s meant to and doesn’t have something embarrassing written on it like “quack if you love mummy!”"

So it was with great excitement that I opened my Road Test package to find two Eeni Meeni Miini Moh bibs.

The attraction was instant.  Firstly, I loved the muted, tasteful colours that you so rarely find in bibs.  Usually bibs are pink or blue, presumably to help strangers identify the gender of your child?

Secondly, you can immediately feel from the material that this is a high quality bib. The back consists of a very lush towelling material and the front is super soft cotton.  Much to my delight, the material gets even softer the more they’re washed.  Imagine your comfiest pair of trackies and that’s what they feel like.

The press stud closure at the neck gives the bib much greater longevity compared to its velcro counterparts. And the wide shoulders give added protection to clothing.  This is essential for us as Grace often gets distracted and looks over her shoulder during meal times to see if the television is on (it isn’t), getting food all over her clothes.

But most importantly, these bibs are super absorbent.  This is crucial if you have a little one like mine who delights in taking copious swigs of her sippy cup and then proceeds to let the water run right out of her mouth instead of swallowing it.

So, do the Eeni Meeni Miini Moh bibs tick all the boxes?  Let’s run through the criteria.   Large enough to protect clothes? Tick!  Does up securely at the neck? Tick!  No naff colours/pictures/slogans? Tick!  Looks stylish? Tick!  Will last the rigours of daily washing? Tick! Super absorbent? Tick! The Eeni Meeni Miini Moh bibs definitely tick all the boxes.  I wish I had a whole drawer full of them.  Well, I have four and counting…

The Boon bath toys are beyond fantastic and were love at first sight for both my boys. Billy  (2.5 years) adored the Boon water bugs, he loved searching for them amongst the bubbles and scooping them up over and over again. The net is big enough and sturdy enough to hold all of the bugs and a few other bath toys he decided to collect. Patrick (8.5months) was very impressed by the bugs, in fact he got to know them on an intimate level, he sucked on them, chewed on them, cuddled them and screamed until they were dried off so he could have them out of the bath. They float about in the water making it easy for him to spot (even amongst the bubbles) and their shape are perfect for his little chubby hands to pick up and hold onto while he gives them a good chew.

The Boon scrubbles were equally loved. The three different textured bulbs are interchangeable and with a little bit of practice Billy was able to screw and unscrew them (great for his fine motor development) and he spends a lot of time matching the colours and then mixing them up.  He got the giggles when he realised they would squirt water, and has great fun squirting both his brother and myself. Thankfully being so small they don’t hold that much water before they need to be undone and filled up again, giving me a reprieve from the water action! To start with the bases were quite firm and it was a bit hard for Billy to squeeze them to get the water out but after a fortnight of use they have softened and it is easy for him to get a result. Patrick really enjoys sucking and chewing on them (except for the spikey one) and spends time running his fingers over the different textures…he was also very entertained when the squirting started.

After the article a few weeks ago on the yuckies found in bath toys I was so pleased to see that not only do these toys come apart completely, they dry in a short amount of time AND can be put in the dishwasher.  They are PVC, Phthalate and Bp-A free and are therefore safe for our little ones to play with, bathe with and chew on! They are durable and have been in and out of the bath, around the house, outside and chewed on many times but still have no marks or even scratches on them which just shows their durability . They are a lovely colour (thankfully not purple otherwise they may get lost in our delightful bathroom!) and I can imagine will get double the use in summer when they boys have their waterplay outside.

The Catch Bowl by Boon made the transition from spoon-fed to self-fed so much easier. Siena (16 months) was quite confident at feeding herself finger food, but when it came to stews or Weet-Bix we weren’t having much luck. If I left her unattended for a few seconds the bowl would be up-ended; contents in her lap, on the floor, or if I was lucky - hiding under the up-turned bowl on the highchair. The 3 second rule doesn’t quite work for pumpkin soup splattered on the walls and floor.

The Boon Catch Bowl has a large suction bottom which sticks strongly to the highchair or table, but best of all, it has a large flexible ‘lip’ between the bowl and Siena which catches any falling food and re-directs it back into the bowl (as you can see in the video!). We still get the occasional food splat in her lap and she still reverts back to using her hands sometimes, however mostly the food goes in her mouth with the spoon or fork. The bowl goes in the dishwasher and washes easily, however, the flexible rubber ‘lip’ on our bowl has stained a little with tomato-based foods.

The Boon Catch Bowl is a must for any one trying to transition their little one to independent feeding. It is so much more enjoyable to eat your own hot meal at the same time as your family or to have a few extra minutes to do other things whilst she feeds herself at breakfast time. The only member of the family who is not happy about the bowl …. the dog!

The infants answer to Jimmy Choo’s has arrived!

Before baby it’s all about mummy’s shoes. Who by, how many, how high and how much. Oh, how our lives have changed.  Now it’s flat shoes, practical outfits and nappy bags. Thank goodness Skeanies have proved you can combine comfort and function with style.

My baby Gus celebrated Autumn by turning one and commencing to walk. After a month of slipping & sliding around the house in socks & cold feet, I bought Gus some shoes to help with traction- if only he would keep them on. It was time for a new idea.

When his new Skeanies arrived in the mail I was excited to try the shoes because they looked great, but also curious to see if he would keep them on for longer than 5 minutes. As a distraction we slipped them on him & headed straight outside into the winter sunshine. One shoe fell off in the excitement and Gus picked it up, brought it to me and then sat waiting with foot outstretched (now that’s a first).  Ah.. the answer to my prayers - style and comfort that HE wanted to wear.

Gus loves his Skeanie leather boots, But why these shoes? If you look inside & feel they have a soft fluffy layer with protective leather skin. What a change from the unlined shoes we were forcing him to wear (ok so they didn’t stay on long enough to class it as wearing).

It’s great to know his little feet are snug and warm while being well supported on any terrain. They are great for indoors - they don’t scratch my timber floor, while making it easier for him to get a grip. I also love the fact Skeanies are made from soft natural leather as he has a tendency to suck on things.

Now Gus brings me his shoes when we are getting ready to go out & waits to put them on- now that’s a vote with his feet.

No longer do I worry about Gus losing a shoe when we are out, but I will be keeping a wary eye on my sister “the family fashionista”, she thinks they are so stylish & easy coordinate with outfits, that she wants them for her little boy.

Be warned Aunty L we are watching you

Baby A is 7 months old and we are drowning in a sea of drool! From the moment those first two teeth poked through at 5 months, the flood gates opened, soaking everything in sight. I quickly realised that no outfit, no matter how cute, or carefully colour coordinated, would last more than 5 minutes before being soaked through. Not keen to change his outfit every 2 hours, a bib became a wardrobe staple. I was completely unprepared for this and had on hand only these ridiculous plastic backed bibs I’d bought before I had my baby and had absolutely zero idea of what I actually needed. Sure, they absorbed the dribble, but each lent nothing in the fashion stakes. My search for a ‘fashion bib’ as it had come to be known, was futile. They were all either plain old white towelling (fine for at home, but not for going out), or bright colours with ridiculous slogans on them. No thanks.

Then we began that glorious milestone of introducing solid foods. True to his Greek heritage, Baby A devoured anything put in front of him with mess free gusto, until we got to pumpkin and then my initiation into the world of mess was complete. 8 weeks later, and I still can’t quite understand how, if I’m aiming the spoon for his mouth, does food end up on his shoulders, his legs and in my hair? These teeny little baby bibs just couldn’t cut it.

Enter the Eeni Meeni Miini Moh range of bibs. Before I review their efficiency at keeping a drooling, messy eater spick and span, let me just gush a moment on the colours. Oh the colours! Not even their names are boring. Sapphire, Twilight, Sarsaparilla, Fleur and Paris Pink to name a few. There’s certain to be at least one that will compliment your child’s clothing, rather than just protect it. Made with a super soft cotton jersey front and a thick terry towelling back, they can handle any mess be it lentils or liquid. From the way Baby A was sucking on his, it would seem that we can add ‘teether’ to the list of features! The neckline is a gorgeous soft herringbone cotton, with a snap opening at the back. Easy on, easy off. I still end up with food in my hair, but the length and width of the bibs means that Baby A’s shoulders, legs and tummy remain food free at each meal time. No outfit change required.

Life with babies is messy. Until Baby A starts to feed himself, I’ve no-one to blame but myself for my inability to get the spoon from bowl to mouth with no spillage. Until Baby A finishes this round of teething, he’ll continue to resemble the creature from ‘Alien’. At least in the Eeni Meeni Miini Moh bibs he’ll be the most fashionable, colour coordinated, drool dripping Alien on the planet!

When I was a young teenager at school I remember there being two distinct groups of people. Those who preferred a button fly on their levis and those who preferred a zipper! Fast forward 20 years and most of my clothing choices these days revolve around bubs …. isn’t it funny how things change!

Perhaps they don’t change that much. Speak to any mother and it seems to be a similar story with bibs - just a few more categories: velcro, tie up, press studs, over-the- head, etc. It’s quite amazing how much detail a Mum will go into if you ask her the simple question “What type of bib do you prefer?” When it comes down to it, most Mums will say it has to do the following things:

- Stay on!

- Wash well

- Be absorbent

- Keep clothes clean

The Nature Baby Organic Free Range Bib ticks all of the boxes. The press studs are super strong, even when I challenged Siena to try and pull the bib off she couldn’t - unlike her other bibs with press studs! The material is a gorgeous, soft, organic cotton which is absorbent, washes well and dries quickly. It is a great size. I have the 6 month plus which covers Siena (14 months) well. It is also nice and wide so when she flies her spoon around in the air it protects her shoulders. It’s an added bonus that functionality matches style … really great neutral colours and beautiful animal prints. Perhaps the most important judge of the bib is Siena …. she loves them! She even pats and tries to feed carrots to the rabbit.  Chwck out the Nature Baby Free Range bibs here…