Competition Time: Win one of 3 fabulous photography prizes!

Here at NaturalMommainMe, Isabelle and I are very lucky to have a very talented family. In particular, Izzy's daddy and her uncle Marc are very talented photographers. From landscapes to weddings, they have done it all, and my sister and I are plagued with bits of camera equipment lying around the house!

Isabelle's daddy runs SCJ-Photography and specialises in landscape and wildlife photography, but has been branching out to include weddings and family photo shoots as well. One of my favourite of his images is this one, which we have hanging in our living room, and reminds me of a wonderful day out we had with his mum and dad before Isabelle came along:

Isabelle's uncle Marc runs Photography by Marc Lawson, and has impressed everyone he knows by building up a huge portfolio of amazing pictures in the last two years. Not only does he spend time photgraphing scenes around Northern Ireland, he has also taken some beautiful images in America, and shot numerous weddings and families. One of my favourites is below, a picture of the Giant's Causeway which is a World Heritage Site here in Northern Ireland:

So, today in honour of Isabelle's half birthday, we have decided to join forces with this pair and allow THREE lucky people the chance to win some of their gorgeous prints, and one of their 2014 calendars. Perfect for a little treat coming up to Christmas for yourself, or as a sneaky gift to giveaway to someone else during the festive season!

The wonderful prizes up for grabs are:

1st place: one framed SCJ-Photography print of your choice, one framed Photography by Marc Lawson print of your choice and a 'Northern Ireland Landscapes 2014' calendar*

2nd place: one SCJ-photography print of your choice, one Photography by Marc Lawson print of your choice and a 'Northern Ireland Landscapes 2014' calendar*

3rd place: one SCJ-Photography OR Photography by Marc Lawson print of your choice, and a 'Northern Ireland Landscapes 2014' calendar*

You can enter using the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway will run until 17th October, and winners will be announced shortly afterwards. Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Please note: All prints are 10'x12' and 1st prize prints will be framed by Frames to You in a standard black frame with standard picture glass. Any print from SCJ-Photgraphy.co.uk and Photographybymarclawson.com can be chosen (excluding family/wedding/newborn/commercial and corporate photos). Calendars will be available by the end of October and may be sent separately from main prize. Competition open to UK residents only.

Happy Half Birthday, Isabelle!!

I really cannot believe that tomorrow, Miss Isabelle Katie Jay will have been with us for 6 whole months. It seems to have both flown in, and at the same time I can't ever remember a time before this little beauty was in our lives. It is truly a miracle to be watching this tiny person take shape, and it's amazing to see the things she can do now which, 6 months ago, seemed like they would be a lifetime away for her. I think I speak for her entire family when I say that this lady has captured our hearts completely and, for Simon and I, taught us to love someone in a way neither of us ever thought possible.

Vital stats:
Weight - 17lbs 1oz (last Thursday)
Length - 68cms

Likes
* "A sailor went to sea"
* "Row, row, row your boat"
* Shouting 'DADADADADADA' repeatedly for hours on end
* Kisses on her chin
* Sitting/standing up to look around
* Watching her cousin, Jacob, or any big girls/boys
* Being naked and sucking her toes
* Stroking, and watching, the dogs
* Her spoons
* Her jumperoo
* "Chatting" while we walk the dogs
* Being read to
* Spending time with her friends at breastfeeding group and baby sensory
* Coming into bed for cuddles
* Her luxurious bubble baths
* Sophie the Giraffe, her crab teether, her Lamaze block
* Looking at 'mirror baby'
* Baby sensory classes

Dislikes
*Not getting boobs when she wants them
* Her darn teeth still trying to get through (yes, STILL)

Skills
Since her 4 month check in, Isabelle can:
* roll both ways (front to back, back to front)
* grab hold of whatever she wants, and move towards things she wants
* pick a toy/item out of a pile
* push herself right up on her hands, while on her front
 - and a whole host of little things that seem too small to mention.
* Her BIGGEST skill to date, and the one which makes her seem like such a grown up girl, is her ability to sit up on her own. I am so proud her when she does, and she can sit up for a really long time, and has started trying to get from lying to sitting herself

Special things we have done
The most special thing we have done in September/October is to have Isabelle baptised. Simon's family came over and we had a lovely day in our church, and at home with all our family. We also went to the beach for the first time for daddy's birthday, and went to Tollymore Forest again for a family day.

The next few weeks will see some big changes, the most major of which will be Isabelle starting solid food. More on this in a future post, including plenty of pictures no doubt, my feelings on the matter, and our rationale behind our chosen method of weaning.

Now, as we head towards the arrival of a new baby cousin, and then Christmas, we have lots to look forward to, and lots of fun things coming up to keep us busy and help develop Isabelle as she enters the next stage of her little life. Here are some pictures of our little lady from her Christening Day:

With her mummy and grannies

With daddy, granny and great-granny

With mummy, granny and auntie Katie

Review's Day Tuesday: Mama Jewels Necklaces

Isabelle is a hair puller. While it somewhat comforts me that in her teenage years she will do superbly in a cat fight, right now, it HURTS. I have quite long hair which I rarely tie back, and this isn't usually an issue at all. However, when it comes to feeding time, Isabelle likes to give my hair a nice yank while she eats. So, I decided that I needed to cave in and get myself a nursing necklace, and was very excited when Mama Jewels offered to send me one of their necklaces to review.

I have seen nursing necklaces before, and never been that taken with them. They usually seem to be chunky affairs which are not at all to my liking. That said, I am very fussy about necklaces, so I truly am not easy to please in that department!

Mama Jewels asked me to pick a necklace from their website to review, but I soon realised that would be an almost impossible task! The range of necklaces on offer is huge! Not only do they have nursing necklaces (necklaces designed for little ones to play with and keep their pinchy hands off mummy while they eat!), but they also have teething necklaces, breastfeeding bracelets, earrings, personalised jewellery, change bags...the list seems endless! I managed to narrow down the choice of necklaces to a few, but left the final decision to Mama Jewels.

So when my simple, beautiful package arrived I was very excited to peek inside and see which one they had sent...

...and I wasn't disappointed! I received an Alice Nursing Necklace, which is made of coloured beads on a gold cord. I don't usually wear longer necklaces, but popped this on straight away and it looked great. It was quite understated, and the colours were really lovely - especially since I was wearing a plain white top that day. It got tested ASAP as you all know by now that Isabelle doesn't like to go too long between feeds! Usually her morning and evening feeds are worst for hair pulling, and I have tried giving her other things to hold instead, like her teddy, but it's either hair, or she continually yanks at my top. When I let her hold the necklace instead, she still flailed her hand about while holding it, but my hair remained attached, and my top in place throughout the whole feed.

Best of all, Izzy seems to like the beading on this necklace. Every so often, she will stop and have a little look at the necklace, rubbing the beads between her fingers, which is great for helping her develop her pincer grip, and develop her sense of touch. The necklace has been very good at keeping her 'on task' when we are out as well. Recently, she gets distracted by her surrounding when I nurse her in public, but when wearing this, I can bring her attention back to me, and settle her quickly. A winner all round!

Now, the sceptics among you might think it looks just like a normal necklace, so what makes it a special "nursing necklace"? Well, the answer is that all Mama Jewels nursing necklaces are specifically made to withstand even the toughest test from a baby. They can be sterilised, chomped on, washed in water, and are built to withstand 90N of pressure - that's a lot! In other words....they are pretty darn baby proof! Best of all, the components are all non-toxic, and the jewellery is tested and conforms to different regulations, meaning that it is certified as safe. So you can rest easy in the knowledge that, while it may look like other ordinary necklaces on the market, a Mama Jewels necklace is anything but ordinary!

Even if the Alice necklace isn't for you, have a look at the Mama Jewels range and you will soon see there is something for everyone - including gifts for new mummies and mummies to be. So pop on over to the Mama Jewels website, or have a look on their Facebook page to find out more about the beautiful range of products available.

A typically chaotic week...

September was a insanely busy month I'm the Jay household. It just seemed to be one thing after another, and I couldn't wait for the first week of October to arrive so I could get a few quiet days. I had just two things on the calendar, so I was looking forward to having some quiet time at home with Isabelle.

Well, the week has come and gone and I have somehow managed to be busier than ever! I barely saw the inside of the house this week, and things were so busy that Simon ended up having to do the food shopping at 8pm on Saturday evening.

So...what the heck were we doing all week? That is what I found myself wondering as I got Isabelle ready for bed. So here we go, a somewhat typically chaotic week in our lives...
(just to clarify, I count a day as "over" when Simon gets home, as that's when we start thinking about dinner, Isabelle's final nap, and then her bedtime!)

Monday: not typical as Simon's parents were still here. They left at lunchtime, and then a doctor's appointment, trip to the bank and pharmacy and that was that! I didn't even make it to my breastfeeding group.

Tuesday: all set for mums and tots....until Isabelle wanted her nap just before we were due to leave. By the time she was up, and we'd walked the dogs, Simon was home again as it was his half day, and we all hung out. Not a majorly busy day.

Wednesday: a nappuccino in Lisburn, which turned into tea/coffee with two lovely ladies from my breastfeeding group and their littles, who I am always in awe of as they are so cute and wonderful! After that Isabelle and I were so exhausted we had to have a little nap on the sofa! Another dog walk, and Simon was home.

Thursday: this week Thursday was a 'Jacob day', and as my parents had a family funeral to attend, I had Jacob for most of the day. And we have seen previously how that goes for us - the day was over before I knew what had happened!

Friday: usually Baby Sensory, but it wasn't on this week. More dog walking, and another 'Jacob day' so we headed to my dad's, and spent the day with them, going to the park and for ice cream.

Saturday: I was helping at a Mum and Baby fair, on the Cloth Nappy Library NI stand. I passed the day chatting with my lovely mummy friends and their beautiful babies, and generally having a very nice day!

Sunday: every Sunday flies by - church, lunch, dogs walked, swimming, family dinner!

It doesn't sound like a lot when it's written down, but the running from one place to another just didn't seem to stop. I didn't even get a chance to visit my granny, which is something Izzy and I do every week, or see Helen as she was selfishly working a 4 day week! Still, this "quiet" week ended up very busy, and that's without any of my usual baby classes and activities. Simon did say once that I say each Sunday "oh I don't have any plans this week" and then I am out every day, and a friend said recently I always seem to be on the road all over the country!

So, after another week I am feeling exhausted, and a little confused about where my time goes and how on earth I ever managed to fit in a job! You know what they say - time flies when you are having fun! I also feel very lucky to have so much going on, to have lots of great friends (and family) to spend my days with, and to allow Isabelle to experience so many people and activities each week. It really makes me value my time off with Isabelle, and I'm glad I am able to make the most of each of our days, with like minded mummies and my family.

Now, there is absolutely NOTHING on the calendar for this week coming. So, maybe a quiet one this week?

Silent Sunday 06-10-13

SCJ-Photography.co.uk
Facebook: SCJ Photography

Special "first time baby only" moments

Over the last few months, there have been a few times when I've thought to myself just how unbelievably lucky I am, not just to have a beautiful baby girl, but to be able to share with her some wonderfully special moments that I may never get to share with any babies in the future.

Isabelle and I lead a shockingly busy life. Even in a 'quiet' week - like last week - when we technically have nothing planned, we still end up being out of the house more than we are in it. We don't spend much time just lounging around the house, we are always running from one place to the next - baby groups, mummy get togethers, out with family, the list seems never ending.

But every so often, we do get some special moments, just the two of us, when we get to cuddle up and do NOTHING together.

Recently, Isabelle has started to enjoy her lie in each morning. She doesn't mind getting up at 7/7.30am with her dad, but she really has taken to lying in bed with mummy snoozing until (at the very latest!) 9.30am. The only proviso she has is that she is given unlimited boob access in this time, and is cuddled right up against me while it happens. That suits me fine, so the two of us have had some wonderful lazy mornings cuddled up in bed together, lying in. This doesn't happen often, as so many of our activities start at 10am, so we have to be up and out when we would clearly both rather be snuggled up!

Every so often, she will be having a sleepy day and if we are at home, we can cuddle up on the sofa together and have a little nap. Again, as long as she has unlimited boob, she will cuddle and snooze for well over an hour. We had one of those naps on the sofa last week, cuddled up underneath the blanket.

Every time we have a little cuddle like that, I am struck by just how special these moments are, and how much I should cherish them. In the future, Isabelle certainly won't want to cuddle up with me like that as she will be too busy running around like a wild thing. And when her brothers/sisters come along (if we are blessed with more babies) then I will have a toddler or two to contend with, and no time to spend lying in each morning, or napping on the sofa in the afternoon.

So, these special moments are a 'first time baby only' deal, I think. And I will make sure I treasure each one while I can, and continue to cuddle up with my baby whenever I can, and tell her each time we do how this is so special, and how lucky I feel to be her mummy.

Any special moments you cherish with your littles?

My TV addictions

I will admit it - I have always had a TV addiction. I think it started at a young age when my parents got Sky, and Nickolodeon was on with such classics as Alex Mac, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Sister Sister. Having access to that sort of comedy gold at any time of day set me up for a life of NEEDING Sky TV, and therefore a life of TV addiction!

I would say that my top 5 TV addictions are quite random, and some of them many people may not have even heard of. Read on and maybe discover something new to get you through the long, cold days of winter that lie ahead.

1// Neighbours
I love this Australian soap, and have it series linked so I never miss an episode - even though it's on every day. I have been watching this all my life. My granny loves to tell me about how she remembers me, just barely able to walk, standing in front of the TV dancing to the theme tune! I don't know what it  about it, but I follow it religiously!

2// Bones
A lot of people may not have heard of this - it's on Sky1. It's an American series based on the novels of Kathy Reichs, which are based on her own experiences as a forensic anthropologist. The main characters are Brennan - a forensic anthropologist and who is socially inept - and Booth - an FBI agent with a big heart. The years of chemistry between the two before they got together, along with the wonderful humour are a big winner in my house. Even Simon likes this!

3// Grey's Anatomy
Probably much better known than Bones, I've followed this hospital drama since the very start. I have to say that as the seasons go on, I am less enthralled, but still never miss an episode. The chemistry between the characters has always been great, although complicated at times!

4// Criminal Minds
Another one lots of people haven't heard of. This is another crime show based on an FBI team who solve unusual crimes by 'profiling' the type of person who would commit the crime. It's a really clever show, and different from many of the other US crime shows like CSI.

5// Murdoch Mysteries
This is actually a pretty new love in our house, and Simon loves it too. It's based around a genius detective in the late 1800s/early 1900s, and is a very witty program. We've managed to catch up on all the seasons in just a few months - thanks to some dedicated TV watching in the early days of Isabelle's life, when we sat in the evenings in that state of shock that accompanies a newborn baby! If you haven't heard of this, check it out on Alibi on Sky.

So there you have it, my top TV addictions. Things I've been addicted to in the past include The Gilmore Girls, Lie to Me, Waterloo Road and (shamefully) Hollyoaks. There are piles of things I hear about which other people love, but we have to find time for our other programs too - it's a delicate balance! During the 'high season' when Bones, Grey's and Criminal Minds all start new seasons, it can seem like there are more TV shows than hours in the evening to watch them. Isabelle may have to start being put to bed at 6pm so we can fit all our viewing in!

Anything that you never miss? Or any recommendations for us?