Sunday Funday... or is it?

Sundays - day of rest, or day of 'what the heck are we going to do till bedtime?'?

I quite like Sundays especially when there are special events organised that are targeted to families and kids. I find that it adds structure to the day. Unfortunately with the weather getting warmer these events tend to dwindle.

And, to make things worse, with the weather getting warmer it also means that certain activities are, to a certain extent, out of the question.

Such as going to the swings.

I think it's ludicrous that there isn't a tent or some other option to provide shade so that the swings and park can be enjoyed during the summer months. They just get too hot for the kids to go on them and enjoy them - and it's too hot to stand around the park/sit on a bench.

And June is that maddening in-between season where the weather tends to go on a bender as though it cannot decide whether it wants to keep cool or warm up.

So we'll just have to wait until it's hot enough to actually go swimming (the sea is still rather chilly) - or is that just me?

Summertime with Kids - Love it or Hate it?

Summer's fast approaching once again - the season that most people love, and others just hate with a passion.

It's a season of sunshine and long days, tinged with a sense of freedom and that glorious smell of coconut suntan lotion. Or did this image stop once the kids came along?

As a child, summer basically meant a welcome break from school, albeit that we'd be terribly bored by mid-August. As an adult, those summer memories linger but perhaps the days aren't quite as carefree as one would like them to be, especially when you have children that need attention and entertainment.

I'm very grateful that my LO will be attending summer nursery this year because I know that he'll have lots of fun with friends, playing and learning with his peers able to have fun with water games and other activities that require outdoor space (sadly, something that is becoming a luxury in today's homes).

I myself had attended summer school when I was younger and I made new friends there, some of whom I'm still in contact with till this day.

What are your plans for the summer and how do you plan on keeping your LO entertained?

How rich is Santa Claus?

Can you believe that there are just 12 days left until Christmas? 

How's your Christmas shopping coming along? Or have you already finished? Or not yet started?!

I'm ready with Santa gifts (I think); I bought (what should be) the final one this morning so my LO will be receiving about 6-7 small gifts from Santa. I believe that Santa's gifts shouldn't be expensive because I can see why a child would be upset that Santa got him/her a 'doll/board game' but got his/her class friend a bicycle (for example). If there is only one Santa why is he discriminating between kids?

So Santa's presents are books, a game, a chocolate, a toy animal and an item of clothing. Nothing extravagant but all nice to have.

Presents from parents can then be the more extravagant ones because what the family can afford is an individual and personal thing. My LO is getting a large plastic fire truck, a set of wooden blocks, a football kit, and a hobby horse (hopefully, if it arrives). 

Do you have a system for present giving in your household? 

Good example

Stranger Danger?

I had a strange episode this morning that left me wondering whether there are any guidelines for such events and did I do the right thing?

I was at the grocery store with my LO who was in his pushchair and in his usual boisterous manner was saying Hi to everyone who walked in. He also waved at some people and at one point he reached out for a man's hand who very graciously took it and shook my LO's hand and smiled at him, but this is where things took a turn, the man got out his camera phone to take a photo of my LO and I, upon seeing that, took a step forward and politely, while smiling, asked him not to take photos. He seemed surprised but put his camera away without any issues.

A lady who saw the entire thing told me 'You did right. I'd have done the same thing.' I told her that I didn't know who the man was and although he might have been the nicest person on earth, I had no way of knowing, to which she agreed.

I'm very wary because I know that there is an Internet underworld and kids are their currency of choice. It might seem overdramatic and I'm quite certain that the man in question wasn't part of any shady organisation (he'd have been very brazen if he was!), but we're living in a world where you just can't take chances.

What's your opinion on the matter? Would you have allowed a stranger to take a photo of your LO?

Places to take kids in Malta

Children need entertainment. They want to run around and have fun, play and explore, be free and be happy. So where can you go in Malta that is suitable for kids?

Here's a (non-exhaustive) list of places to take your children for a few hours of fun. Note that not all places are suitable for very young kids.

I haven't included places like 'the swings' because practically each town and village has a small play area available.

I'd love for this list to remain updated and hopefully get longer so please do email me with your suggestions and recommendations and if I think that they are suitable I'll definitely add them.

Attard

• The President's Kitchen Garden - St. Anthony Street
• San Anton Gardens

Bahar ic-Caghaq

• Splash & Fun Water Park (open beginning May - beginning October)
• Mediterraneo Marine Park

Birzebbugia

• Playmobil Funpark - Industrial Estate, Hal Far

Bugibba

• Quattro Play Kids Cafe - Gifen Street
• Malta Bugibba Water Park - Promenade (summer only)

Burmarrad

• Bird Park Malta - Triq l-Imdawra

Fgura

• Jumperoo - Gallarija Shopping Complex

Marsascala

• Sant Antnin Family Park

Mellieha

• Popeye Village - Anchor Bay

Mosta

• Ludi Recreation Centre - Eucharistic Congress Street

Qawra

• Malta National Aquarium

St Julians/Paceville

• Eden Superbowl - St George's Bay
• Funland - St George's Street

Ta' Qali

• BoV Adventure Park
• Ta' Qali National Park
• Petting Farm

Bugibba Water Park

Please feel free to email me with other places - none of these are paid listings.

Second-hand clothes for kids

I recently bought my LO a huge bundle of clothes for €50 - a bargain! 

The only 'catch'? They're second-hand. 

Now I don't have a problem buying second-hand clothes for kids because they only wear them for 3/6/12 months at the most and then they simply grow out of them. Plus, with children's clothes being somewhat pricey added to the fact that they need so many changes - nursery, potty training, ice-cream, you name it - I honestly think that it just makes financial sense.

I've always gratefully accepted any clothes that were handed down to me and actively search the Facebook groups for good quality, good condition clothes at good prices. Some people price their items too high in my opinion - I think that items should be at least 70-80% less than what you originally paid for them. You're not going to get your money back anytime soon but you will get some money back, and you'll also get space back, which definitely starts lacking when children's stuff starts to take over the room.

How do you feel about buying second-hand clothes? What about other items like toys or accessories? Have you ever tried selling any of your LO's things? Were you successful?

I'd love to hear your opinion about this. I really think that we're lacking in this regard in Malta, and I wonder if it's due to social pressures.

This is a glimpse of the bundle that I bought

Different Types of Baby Poop

Poop - it's probably one of the most dreaded chores of any new parent, until you've changed so many nappies that it just becomes second nature and you would pick up poop with your bare hands if it means stopping the LO from touching it himself (or is that just me?)

However, no matter how many nappies you have changed there is always the 'what kind of poop is it?' surprise. So here's a handy visual guide (drawings not photos - though those do exist if you really want) that shows you the different types of poops that your baby may have. 

The ideal poops are 4 and 5 as they are the easiest to pass. Type 7 is too easy - poop should not be liquidy. Type 1 means constipation. In most cases a change in diet will sort out your baby's digestion but if you're concerned, it's always best to consult your doctor.

Where's my house gone?

Do you remember a time when your house was neat and tidy? Everything had a place and was actually in its place? When you could leave an unattended mug on the coffee table without a second thought?

It seems like a long time ago doesn't it?

Once LO was able to walk suddenly everything vanished from table tops and low shelves. Mugs are kept on the kitchen counter and the coffee table is always clear - except when he's standing on it! Hehe.

Everywhere you look there are brightly coloured items, most of which make noise, and no matter how much effort you put into keeping them contained in a specific area, they just seem to spread around the room... or is that just me?

Walking around is a bit of an obstacle course, especially in the evening when you have to be extra careful about moving anything because it might suddenly start playing 'Old Macdonald had a farm' to you... five minutes after you'd have put your LO to sleep.

This is what my living room looked like a few months ago. Not much has changed, except that the Jumperoo has a new home as LO outgrew it and the walker has been abandoned in the yard!

Toys threatening to take over the house

Does your living room look anything like this, or have you managed to retain your adult decor?

Baby's on the Way!

By your 30th week of pregnancy you want to have most things ready for the arrival of your precious bundle, for two reasons mainly:

1. Baby might decide to show up early and you really don't need to add not being prepared to that shock
2. The bigger and heavier you get, the more tired you're likely to be and the less inclined to actually do much (especially if the temperatures are either very hot or very cold).

Hospital Bag

This is based on the lists that are given but I also give my recommendations from personal experience. Don't pack everything in one bag as it's easier to unpack one bag at a time and hospital staff might need to get you some things too so you can point them to the correct bag. Also a bag on wheels is ideal to avoid having to carry anything.

Things you'll need before the baby arrives

• Medical records (your blue chart)
• Two cotton nightdresses - short sleeves are best and with a front opening for breast feeding purposes
• Slippers/socks - the slip on type are the best in case you suffer from swollen feet. Slipper socks would be ideal
• Toiletries - hairbrush, toothbrush & toothpaste; facial wipes; shower gel; shampoo & conditioner - for certain items you might want to get the travel sized bottles or even samples to avoid extra weight
• Entertainment e.g. headphones which you can plug into the hospital TV and any other electronic device that you enjoy; magazines; a good book that you truly enjoy; your phone - and any chargers!
• Snacks - stock up on anything that you enjoy. This is your time to 'indulge' (always moderately), but do ensure that you have food to nibble on. And plenty of water.

Things you'll need after you've given birth

• Maternity pads - don't skimp on these. You will be using them for a while...
• Nursing bras - two is enough. You'll stain them both.
• Disposable underwear - don't buy fancy brands. The hospital shop sells them at about €1 each and you're better off spending €10 and buying 10 pieces
• Breast pads - to minimise the aforementioned staining
• Nipple cream - yes you will need it. You might also want to buy nipple guards just in case and be prepared
• Breastfeeding pillow - necessary if you are planning to bf, so that the nurses can show you how to position the baby
• Comfortable (but nice) clothes to go home in. And note that you might need to wear open shoes (even in winter) if you suffered from water retention post-birth.
• Some extras you might want are make-up and hair straighteners/hairdryer - this all depends on how comfortable you are at being seen au natural by your visitors.
• Laundry bag - basically just a bag for you to put the dirties in to give to your partner/parent/friend to take with them so that you won't have extra things to carry when you come to leave hospital

For the baby

• Cotton wool
• Baby wipes
• Newborn-sized nappies x 2 packets
• Nappy rash cream
• Babygros - size 0-1 month or 0-3 months - if scans show that the baby is big don't bother buying any 0-1 month clothes
• Vests - sizes as above
• Socks
• Mitts
• Hat
• Baby blanket x 2 - one to cover and one to lay the baby on. They might tell you to take a towel but a soft blanket is much nicer
• Muslin squares - buy a packet; they're never extra
• Bottle and formula - if you're not planning on breastfeeding
• Outfit to go home in - babygro, mitts, hat, blanket - you can re-use what you used previously but be aware of staining incidents

And you'll obviously need a car seat to take the baby home. Don't take that with you to the hospital beforehand though (you have enough to carry). Just ask whoever is calling for you to bring it with them. 

February 2nd - The Day I Became a Mama

I suppose I should start by relating my motherhood story. It's nothing out of this world really, everything went fairly smoothly. I had my son on Sunday, 2nd February 2014 by elective C-section (he didn't engage and I had hit the 40-week mark) so we decided that C-section was the safest option. I have no deep beliefs in the natural vs. C-section war that some people insist on creating; as long as the baby comes out well and healthy then it's just a means to an end.

With a bit of calculation you know that my LO is now 18 months old (at time of writing) and is a fully fledged toddler (and all that comes with it). The running, the laughing, the whining, the throwing things around... I find that if I think 'it shows that he's healthy and developing nicely', it helps me to keep sane :)

In the year and a half that I've had the title of mother I found that the greatest 'lack' was a community of like-minded people who are in my same situation. I know other mothers obviously, and I got to meet new people too, but this was typically through weekly classes and activities that were paid for. So my scope behind this blog and Facebook page (don't forget to Like it!) was to meet even more new people and help others meet new people too if possible.

I hope that you'll join in (note that these are all Malta-based) and I love reading comments and feedback so please do take the time to leave me a note :)