Moneymagpie

If the last eight weeks have taught me anything it’s that there are so many hours in the day, and there’s only so much you can do within those hours without; a) going crazy b) alienating your friends and family with hissy fits about how little you are managing to do c) find yourself doing the housework/washing at 2am. Of course I’ve managed to do all three, but I’m learning to chill out and finally, finally enjoy my lovely Imogen.

Snap Happy
Tesco’s Baby Club is offering portrait sessions with Venture (for your nearest one see here) for just £25. We’ve already taken advantage of our freebie and will be looking at the results of our first family sitting later this week.

Mother’s Day Offer

I’ve been contacted by ella georgia jewellery – a range of ethically and sustainably sourced jewellery and accessories. Owner Sian is offering moneymagpie users 10% off. Simply enter code xxxx10 in the coupon box provided at EllaGeorgiaJewellery.

Nappy Happy
We’ve had to ditch the Natural Nappies for now and instead using Huggies. I’m assuaging my guilt by using Halos n Horns Baby Bath (from Asda, Morrisons Tesco, Waitrose and at HalosHorns). It’s a sulphate-free baby bath that smells lovely. Imogen loves her bath time – she only screamed the first time we gave her one!

The ‘Old’ Routine
Last night we had a bit of a breakthrough. Imogen went from 6.30pm to nearly 1am without wanting a feed. I had been tempted to wake her at 11pm – as per the Gina Ford Contented Baby regime but instead am consulting Tracy Hogg’s the Baby Whisperer (all books lent to me by the lovely folk at Amazon).

Me Time
I’m trying to get fit again, decided against the personal trainer (too expensive and was not reassured by her comment that I was – pregnancy aside – probably fitter than her).

Using my backdated copies of Zest and Men’s Health I’ve formulated my own ‘regain fitness’ body plan. I’m using a heart rate monitor from Polar to make sure I don’t over, or under- do it. I’m also making use of our large garden and the local park – exercising outdoors is also great for your skin and has helped me lose that ‘post epidural’ grey look I’d been sporting.

Oh and when she’s napping (which isn’t that often) I’m managing to fit in Shiva Rea’s Post Natal yoga video from Gaiam.

My guilty pleasure of the week was some Piz Buin’s Summer Sensation, which is half price in Sainsburys at the moment – £3.91. It’s one of the best gradual tan lotions in my opinion – it smells just as good as any Piz Buin tanning cream.

We’ve also joined Boots Parenting club to make sure we claim our free nappy changing bag and the double loyalty points you get when buying baby brands.